This and That: June 23, 2011

1.  As most of you know, I am collaborating with my friend John Adams on a webcomic called "*Breakfast Included".  I've attempted many projects in my life with limited success, but this one is different somehow.  Part of it is because I'm in this with another person on equal footing.  I write out the scripts, then John does the art for it.  It's been a very long time since I have attempted something this difficult.

Because it is an ongoing story, rather than a bunch of one shot, non sequitur comics, there is a higher level of committment in this for us.  After 20 comics, we have developed a readership that is loving the story, as well as the characters.

While I wrack my brains trying to write out the scripts (I am my own worst critic and somewhat of a perfectionist), John has been very patient and supportive while I send him e-mail after e-mail with ideas, questions, neuroses, and complaints.  Every response is encouraging and motiviating, so he is more than just the artist in this.  He is also my friend. 

2.  About 5 or 6 years ago, I came up with the initial idea that is now "*Breakfast Included".  I considered many ways to tell the story, but I have always liked the idea of doing a comic.  Back then, I thought about having one printed, but as time went on, I realized that a webcomic would be a way to go.

Problem was, that while I had the story in my head, I can't draw for beans, and that was a major hinderance.  Once I got the idea of the comic in my head, it was hard to go back to the idea of novelization, so I just let the story sit in my head, growing on it's own as ideas about characters, plot twists, and jokes kept attaching themselves onto the idea. 

I mentioned a few times that I wished that I could draw, and I even pitched the idea to some people that I knew were good with a pen, but it never went anywhere.  

Then one day, a few months ago, the idea resurfaced again as another plotline entered my brain and this time, it was a great one.  Without even stopping to think about it, I posted on a social website, Bruizr, cursing the fact that I had a great idea for a webcomic, but no way to create it because of my inability to draw.

I got a message from John a very short time later, explaining that he was pretty handy with creating computer generated scenes.  His problem was the opposite of mine, that he had the desire to create a webcomic, and he could draw them out with his computer, but couldn't really put together a sustaining story to save his life.

I'd like to think that it was then that "*Breakfast Included" was conceived, since the comic was already created, it just needed the place to be born.

Within a couple of weeks, we were off and running, and the response was immediate.  Not all of it was positive, but it wasn't constructive either.  I began to beat myself up, and John was having none of it.  In the last 10 weeks, John has been my comic esteem coach and has helped me see that haters were gonna hate, and that we needed just keep going without changing anything.  We are finding our audience, and that was all we needed.

No matter what happens, I feel that I have already learned a lot in this project, and even if it were to stop next week, I would be walking away with a hell of a lot more than when I went in.  I can't argue with that at all.

3.  I think this is the first time since I began doing theatre where I haven't been in a production this long.  It feels strange, like being away from home for more than a week, and I feel myself eager to get back into something, and quick.

One of the things that I meant to blog about was the fact that I was Assistant Director for a play for the first time.  The production was "Picnic", and I never thought I could learn so much in such a short amount of time.  I was foolish to think that because I spent time on stage that I knew *anything* about putting on a production, but as I quickly found out, there is driving the car, and then there is working on the engine.  Just cause you can do the former doesn't mean you can do the latter.

The thing is, I'm torn now because while I enjoyed playing a part in the directorial process of putting together a production, it made me miss being on stage even more.  

The last time I was on stage was when I performed as "Walter" in the play "Inspecting Carol".  That was definitely one of the most memorable roles I have had, and it wasn't even a major one.  I'll have to tell you about it sometime.

In a few weeks, there are auditions coming up for "Arsenic and Old Lace", a play that I know nothing of at this point.  I have a copy of the script sitting in my living room waiting to be read, and I will have to do that very soon.  But even knowing almost nothing about the play, I am extremely eager to audition and very hopeful that I get a role.  

The theatre itch is beginning to get to me.

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I need to hop off here and write a couple of scripts for the comic before bed.  I hope you all had a good day and I will talk to you tomorrow if not sooner.  

Posted via email from Random and Absurd: The American Way