Writing for Animation, Comics, and Games

Book description


Writing for Animation, Comics, and Games explains the practical aspects of creating scripts for animation, comics, graphic novels, and computer games. It details how you can create scripts that are in the right industry format, and follow the expected rules for you to put your best foot forward to help you break-in to the trade. This book explains approaches to writing for exterior storytelling (animation, games); interior/exterior storytelling (comics and graphic novels), as well as considerations for non-linear computer games in the shortest, pithiest, and most economical way. The author offers insider's advice on how you can present work as professional, how to meet deadlines, how visual writing differs from prose, and the art of collaboration.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Halftitle
  3. Title
  4. Copyright
  5. Dedication
  6. Acknowledgements
  7. Contents
  8. Preface
  9. Introduction
  10. Overview
  11. Animation
    1. Chapter 1 History/Evolution of Animation
      1. Genres and Categories
      2. Alternate Forms of Animation
    2. Chapter 2 Terminology
      1. Script Terms
      2. Other Animation Terms
    3. Chapter 3 The Basics
      1. The Animation Process
      2. The Script Process
      3. The Script Format
      4. The Differences
      5. Working Out Act Breaks
      6. The 3-D Script vs. the 2-D Script
      7. Restrictions Breed Creativity
      8. Other Things You May Be Expected to Do
      9. Scriptwriting Software
      10. The Animated Feature Film
      11. Beyond the Basics (Advice, Tips, and Tricks)
    4. Chapter 4 Breaking and Entering
      1. Breaking into Television Animation
      2. Breaking into Feature Animation
      3. Getting an Agent
      4. Getting Paid
      5. Unions and Organizations
      6. Location, Location, Location
    5. (Section I) Resources
      1. Books
      2. Trades and Magazines
      3. Organizations
      4. Education
      5. Informational Sites
      6. Writers on Writing
      7. Obtaining Scripts
      8. Creating Machinima
  12. Comic Books
    1. Chapter 5 History/Evolution of the Comic Book
      1. Genres and Categories
    2. Chapter 6 What Is a Comic Book?
      1. Terminology
      2. The Comic Book Script
      3. The Script Format
      4. Beyond the Basics (Advice, Tips, and Tricks)
      5. Comic Book Script Samples
    3. Chapter 7 Breaking and Entering
      1. Create Your Own Comic
      2. Copyright and Ownership
      3. Getting Paid
      4. Location, Location, Location
      5. Agents
      6. Unions and Organizations
    4. (Section II) Resources
      1. Books
      2. Trade Magazines
      3. Links
      4. Conventions
      5. Copyright and Trademark Information
  13. Videogames
    1. Chapter 8 History/Evolution of Videogames
      1. Videogame Categories
      2. Alternative Markets
    2. Chapter 9 Writing vs. Design
      1. Videogames and Hollywood
      2. Terminology
      3. Fundamentals of Game Design
      4. Game Structure
      5. More Things You Need to Know
    3. Chapter 10 The Script Format
      1. FMV/Game Intro
      2. Design Document
      3. Game Bible
      4. Mobs/Monsters/Bosses
      5. Quests or Missions
      6. Cutscenes and Cinematics
      7. Dialogue
      8. Slang and Fantasy Language
      9. In-Game Text
      10. Technical Material or Game Manual
      11. Web Site and Promotional Materials
      12. Beyond the Basics (Advice, Tips, and Tricks)
    4. Chapter 11 Breaking and Entering
      1. Publishers and Developers
      2. Getting Paid
      3. Location, Location, Location
      4. Agents
      5. Unions and Organizations
    5. (Section III) Resources
      1. Books
      2. Trade Shows and Conferences
      3. Magazines
      4. Links
      5. Unions and Organizations
      6. Looking for Jobs
      7. Schools: United States
      8. Schools: United Kingdom
      9. Tech-oriented Temp Agencies
  14. Index

Product information

  • Title: Writing for Animation, Comics, and Games
  • Author(s): Christy Marx
  • Release date: November 2012
  • Publisher(s): Routledge
  • ISBN: 9781136144455