New Year's Eve Party?

Matt Trepal · Post by **Matt Trepal** » Fri Oct 06, 2000 1:43 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by drollstreet:
Enough people read the forums. If we get the e-group into this, it'll go out-of-control and we'll probably all die...
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Touche.Painful, horrible deaths, no doubt.------------------
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Matt Trepal · Post by **Matt Trepal** » Fri Oct 06, 2000 6:27 am

OK, here's my thoughts. I think I've come up with a way to have characters mix, keep it (somewhat) manageable, _and_ ensure that everyone doesn't pick a popular strip to mix with.Everybody who wants to participate has to sign up, and we set a deadline for signing up, like mid-November. This deadline has to be firm, because of the extra organizational work involved. A participant submits a list of his/her cast, noting which characters he will draw (1-3,say) and which will be sent _as a group_ to another artist. If the cast is large, perhaps more than one group could be submitted. After the deadline the organizers divvy up the groups in a random manner. Strips are posted beginning Dec 1, through the New Year.As for html, I'm lazy and not much for slapping code together, so I use Netscape's WYSIWYG Composer. I think this would work, especially if the page is kept simple and if we got templates.Does this sound like a reasonable and halfway manageable idea?------------------
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Brian Young · Post by **Brian Young** » Fri Oct 06, 2000 6:44 am

Whatever we decide on, I'm in. I'm thinking I'll have computer working by then.------------------
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Seven3 · Post by **Seven3** » Fri Oct 06, 2000 11:05 am

Hmmm.... I wasn't planing on running it either, but I'll give it a shot.I'd rather have one mega party than a whole lot of icebreaker-type pics, but the logistics of that would be huge.
As for Cameos, the most popular strips would be done repeatedly and the lesser-known ones (like <A HREF="http://portside.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>mine</A>) wouldn't be featured at all. The only way I can see to do it, is to break the 'Space down into alphabetical groups of 10-15 comics (only of those wanting involved), with those in any group doing pics involving only characters from that group. (Basically Matt's swap idea in chunks.) There's a question; what are strips without a regular cast to do?------------------
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Todd Michaels · Post by **Todd Michaels** » Sat Oct 07, 2000 1:59 am

I also think the New Year's Eve party is an excellent idea. I do, however, have a few questions/suggestions about what's been discussed so far.[*** Before you continue reading, please note: After reading my own words, they seem negative. This is not the case. I am merely offering another opinion on the matter, along with several suggestions. I am actually very jazzed about being part of this whole concept!!! Now, go forth with an open mind ... ***]I agree with the notion that paring down the idea from a party with characters interacting to a merely a series of pin-ups is rather bland. I wasn't that impressed with the the Bikeeni thing and found it boring. The pin-ups didn't entice me to visit even one comic I wasn't already reading. Plus, I think the navigation of the site was not very user-friendly. The idea of negatives that were clicked on to develop into pictures was interesting, but not very effective. If we include the pinups as another aspect of the project (instead of being the main feature), though, I think that would add a lot to the party. I don't know if whoever suggested the idea of resolutions had this in mind, but what if they were the basis of the "pin-ups" (which would basically become single-panel comics).I also don't know if turning over one's characters to some other artist is the best idea, either. The styles are so vastly different here on Keenspace, one artist's take on a character will probably make a character unrecognizable. More visually appealing, I think, would be to have two artists work on a panel/strip. One person draws the majority of the strip and sends it (electronically or on paper)to another artist, indicating where his or her characters should be drawn in. This way, each artist appears in two strips: one of his/her own creation, and one in which he/she simply draws characters where indicated. When I did this with fellow cartoonists in my college newspaper, it created some very interesting-looking strips with the artwork of two people in the same strip. And it serves the purpose of leaving everybody's characters intact.Why is this being limited to the people who read the forums? I think by excluding those who only read eGroups, it's creating an "us vs. them" situation. Also, you might be excluding some very talented people. The more, the merrier. I don't think an overwhelming number of people will be submitting artwork, and if everyone is only doing a piece or two, it should all be feasible in the months before December.I would also like to offer up my skills in helping to design the project. I've worked with FrontPage and HTML for several years, now, and I'd be willing to help in any capacity necessary- designing the pages (all or some)or merely helping to update them.------------------
Todd Michaels
<A HREF="http://boardersandsister.keenspace.com/" TARGET=_blank>Boarders and Sister</A>

Seven3 · Post by **Seven3** » Sat Oct 07, 2000 4:16 am

Reply to Todd Michaels:
Thanks,Noted. <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/smile.gif">True - And some comics just don't work well as single panel. And the site design wasn't the greatest either IMO. It would have been good to have next/previous buttons, so you didn't have to go back to the main page each time you wanted to look at another one.
Any other ideas to improve it (from anybody) would be most welcome.
As for the resolution pin-up idea, I don't know how well it'd work.I've seen comics drawn by various artists(the april fools day swap, that halloween thing on the 'Spot last year, <A HREF="http://www.unlikeminerva.com/" TARGET=_blank>Unlike Minerva</A>, and various guest art) and haven't had a problem with identifying the characters.
I'd really like to see more than a couple of comics per image; and sending a half-finished drawing around half-a-dozen people for them to work on their piece would be hugely time-consuming, let alone getting them all to agree on what they want.I agree wholeheartedly.Cool. We need all the help we can get. <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/smile.gif">------------------
This isn't a funny sig. I'd just like you to visit <A HREF="http://portside.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>PortSide.</A> <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/smile.gif">[This message has been edited by Seven3 (edited 10-07-2000).]

Todd Michaels · Post by **Todd Michaels** » Sat Oct 07, 2000 6:54 am

Just to clarify a few things:By the "resolution pin-up idea", I meant that it would be a panel gag showing a character making a New Year's resolution. For example, a character from a certain outer-space comic standing with a gaping hole in the chest proclaiming "I resolve to believe whatever Sigourney Weaver says the first time" while an alien slithers off-panel. So basically: a pin-up, but with a gag (or at least, a meaning).And at the risk of alienating you (pun intended), I'd like to respectfully disagree with you about the idea of "more than a couple of comics per image". Did you read Keenonball Run? I thought that was pulled off rather poorly. Only the author of a strip can write for his or her own characters enough to make it ring true; otherwise, it's just "guest art" and what's the point of that in enticing new readers to a strip? If it's just 2 people working on a piece of art, it simplifies things. I've got one other person to please. If I'm drawing a strip with 10-15 other strips' characters, I've got to go thru that many archives just to understand those characters. In an ideal world, every Keenspacer would read every other Keenspace comic, but that's just not possible.------------------
Todd Michaels
<A HREF="http://boardersandsister.keenspace.com/" TARGET=_blank>Boarders and Sister</A>

Screwball McGoo [gDC] · Tue Oct 10, 2000 3:35 am

I figure everyone would just want to trash the ZIP. ::squints:: Perhaps if some sort of TXT file were sent along with each JPEG to explain the characters... Maybe this is a project best suited for some point in the future so as not to bungle up what's planned for the big 2k+I 'cause you can't spell big numbers without letters... or something.------------------
For reference, I'm probably not in "happy face mood" when writing this but I always forget to change the button. Not this sign, though. <A HREF="http://nerdz.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank> NERDZ </A>

Maboo · Post by **Maboo** » Tue Oct 10, 2000 5:12 am

I'm up for the Christmas/New Year comic thing - if I'm welcome, of course. I just want to draw the Blotto girls (and the guys too) in Christmassy outfits. (though Bea would probably hit me with a big and very prickly bunch of holly if I suggested anything at all "typical".)Mab
==============
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Screwball McGoo [gDC] · Tue Oct 10, 2000 8:04 am

I had a thought which was that everyone could draw up their character(s) for the party (colored or B&W?) Then someone could collect all of the files. Convert them into a standard format and zip them all. Everyone participating could take the zip and create a big poster, individual poster. Kind of like Colorforms on a giant scale. All of this could go on one Keenspace website as well as each individual's on their own to link back to the mega site.------------------
For reference, I'm probably not in "happy face mood" when writing this but I always forget to change the button. Not this sign, though. <A HREF="http://nerdz.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank> NERDZ </A>

Seven3 · Post by **Seven3** » Tue Oct 10, 2000 9:57 am

Interesting. Depending on the number who signed up that could be a huge file. There could also be a problem with how you'd make sure the less well-known characters get used, and that the 'clip art' doesn't get used for a less-than-suitable purpose afterward. Still, very interesting. <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/smile.gif">

Todd Michaels · Post by **Todd Michaels** » Tue Oct 10, 2000 10:15 am

I hope I haven't taken too many liberties, but I've stolen from an awful lot of you.As a visualization of how many people have signed up (under the RSVP topic), I put together a page listing those who will be attending the event.I think it gives a cool little sneak preview of how it will look to have all these characters interacting.
<A HREF="http://boardersandsister.keenspace.com/rsvp2001.html" TARGET=_blank>http://boardersandsister.keenspace.com/rsvp2001.html</A> If you'd really rather not have your characters' pictures up on this page, just let me know and I'll take of it. However, I'm betting those that have signed up will be ready for their characters to show up where they didn't expect.Incidentally, the page is not meant to replace the RSVP topic. I'll just take listings from there.------------------
Todd Michaels
<A HREF="http://boardersandsister.keenspace.com/" TARGET=_blank>Boarders and Sister</A>

Seven3 · Post by **Seven3** » Tue Oct 10, 2000 11:35 am

Could work, it depends on what the everyone else says. I'm not running this show even though it looks like it. (esp. to me <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/smile.gif"> )Well I started reading it - your point exactly. The party doesn't have a story tho', it's just a bunch of stuff that happens. I'm not too worried if someone draws mine out-of-character (what do the rest of you think?), but that's why we ask people if there's anything we should know about theirs. It's less about cross-promotion and sticking to what's correct, than it is about having fun.
Maybe 10-15 a bit much (like I said - I don't have much of a clue yet <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/smile.gif"> ) but does a pic with only two sets of characters say party?------------------
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An offical sponsor of Party 2001.[This message has been edited by Seven3 (edited 10-28-2000).]

Seven3 · Post by **Seven3** » Wed Oct 11, 2000 2:52 am

Dude! It's got a logo and everything, and you even spelled my name right!
Just three things tho': You'll need better pics of my characters, ripping them straight from my <A HREF="http://portside.keenspace.com/about.html" TARGET=_blank>about</A> page just looks ugly. I need to re-do them anyway, so I'll send you better versions.
Speaking of ripping, I've taken the liberty of making a 50% copy of the logo to be used in the forum and on the <A HREF="http://portside.keenspace.com/faq.html" TARGET=_blank>FAQ</A>
And lastly, you should get yourself a link button. You're one of the sponsors after all. <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/smile.gif">

ZOMBIE USER 495 · Post by **ZOMBIE USER 495** » Sat Oct 14, 2000 12:45 am

don't forget me I'm in too if you'll let me

Todd Michaels · Post by **Todd Michaels** » Sun Oct 15, 2000 8:05 am

Okay, since support for the concept of people doing strips seems to be waning, I'll do a single panel party scene instead of a strip, too. I don't wanna be the guy who spoils the party by not following the rules.------------------
Todd Michaels
<A HREF="http://boardersandsister.keenspace.com/" TARGET=_blank>Boarders and Sister</A>

Screwball McGoo [gDC] · Mon Oct 16, 2000 3:15 am

Now you've opened up a whole new barrel of ebola-contaminated monkeys. Are we all going to do our own party scene? If so, how will everyone do everyone else's character?------------------
For reference, I'm probably not in "happy face mood" when writing this but I always forget to change the button. Not this sign, though. <A HREF="http://nerdz.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank> NERDZ </A>

Todd Michaels · Post by **Todd Michaels** » Mon Oct 16, 2000 6:21 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Screwball McGoo [gDC]:
Now you've opened up a whole new barrel of ebola-contaminated monkeys. Are we all going to do our own party scene? If so, how will everyone do everyone else's character?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Perhaps I've been smoking three different flavors of crack for too long, but wasn't that what the idea has been for a while?For example, if a group has 3 cartoonists in it:
Cartoonist 1 does a scene with characters from 1, 2, and 3, and so do Cartoonists 2 and 3. You end up with 3 panels of the same characters, but from 3 points of view.Am I sorely mistaken?------------------
Todd Michaels
<A HREF="http://boardersandsister.keenspace.com/" TARGET=_blank>Boarders and Sister</A>

Seven3 · Post by **Seven3** » Mon Oct 16, 2000 9:01 am

No, that's pretty much it.Did you get my e-mail about the site?------------------
<A HREF="http://portside.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>PortSide</A> - Offical home of the Party2001 <A HREF="http://portside.keenspace.com/faq.html" TARGET=_blank>FAQ.</A> [This message has been edited by Seven3 (edited 10-16-2000).]

Screwball McGoo [gDC] · Tue Oct 17, 2000 2:04 am

Is it the same scene? <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Todd Michaels:
 Perhaps I've been smoking three different flavors of crack for too long, but wasn't that what the idea has been for a while?For example, if a group has 3 cartoonists in it:
Cartoonist 1 does a scene with characters from 1, 2, and 3, and so do Cartoonists 2 and 3. You end up with 3 panels of the same characters, but from 3 points of view.Am I sorely mistaken?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>------------------
For reference, I'm probably not in "happy face mood" when writing this but I always forget to change the button. Not this sign, though. <A HREF="http://nerdz.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank> NERDZ </A>