Writing for Animation, Comics, and Games [Paperback]

Christy Marx (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240805828 | ISBN-13: 978-0240805825 | Publication Date: November 8, 2006 | Edition: 1

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.

* Career rules of-the-road for comics, computer games, and animation...from an insider's perspective
* Written for beginners and professionals alike
* Authored by a distinguished writer, whose credits include X-Men Evolution, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Lord of the Rings

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book will not teach you how to write, but rather is to help someone who can write learn how to write in the correct format and follow the right rules. It is about the craft of writing, the practical rules, guidelines, tips, and tricks that will prepare you to approach these fields on a professional level of competency.- HTReview,January 2007

"Marx, who has more than 25 years experience writing for a variety of media - including animation, comic books, and video games - presents a practical guide for those interested in pursuing a career in this field. ...if you're really curious about and interested in this type of writing, Marx's book will definitely help you move towards your goal." -Camcorder &Computer Video

Book Description

Satisfy the demands of today's entertainment writing industry & create scripts for multiple visual genres!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 1 edition (November 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240805828
• ISBN-13: 978-0240805825
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #272,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn from the woman who taught me..., February 7, 2007

By 

Shannon Muir - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing for Animation, Comics, and Games (Paperback)

More than a few years ago, I had the extremely good fortune to be mentored in the art of animation writing by Christy Marx, who told it like it was about the biz and taught me all about the basics in great detail. Now a professional myself with credits as an animation production coordinator and writer, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book. Not only does it cover all the ground she taught me about animation writing with the same depth and care, it takes on comics and videogames, two mediums which have become more and more intertwined with animation over the last two decades -- something which is taken into account throughout the book. Whether you're trying to figure out if any or all of this areas are for you, or just looking for a better understanding of the business, this is an excellent primer.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Industry insider tells it like it is, May 16, 2008

By 

J. M. Aliano (Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Writing for Animation, Comics, and Games (Paperback)

This book is about writing, but it's also an insider's view to the industry. I give it five stars because it's clear and to the point, it covers a lot of ground, because the author's years of experience in the business shows.

People think that being creative is about inspiration, some magical wand beaming an endless stream of imagination to your brain. Maybe it is, but the author shows it's mostly hard work. She is clear in telling that professional writing and storytelling should be a careful, considered process and it's best to follow the footsteps of experienced professionals.

Having worked with Flash animation for a long time, as an employee and a freelancer, I have to agree it's a tough job. You have to work along with a team, accept criticism lightly and then deliver some amazing jaw dropping stuff!

The book is not about developing ideas for scripts or coming up with some formula for characters, plots etc. It is about the day-by-day practice: how to format your script, deadlines, teamwork, resources etc etc.

She shows what professionals - bosses and co-workers- expect from a writer, what are the standards and common practices in each of the three areas. That's a lot of information! And priceless.

I love it because it helped me build up a method for work that is more productive and to the point and to bring more focus to the decision making involved in the creative work, specially animation and comics.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb and Practical Writing Primer, March 4, 2007

By 

Tyler Sigman "Game Snob" (Bellingham, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Writing for Animation, Comics, and Games (Paperback)

This is the best compilation of *practical* information for the business of writing that I've seen yet. It is very well organized and just about every piece of knowledge in there is indispensable. It helped connect a lot of dots for me that I had gleaned elsewhere but sometimes without the proper context. Most books touch on one or two things really well, but Ms. Marx's book is the best overall "primer" out there.

Although I already have a number of writing credits, I'm still really just starting out and I found the book very helpful. The information helped validate some of the things I'm doing and also give a little more direction for the future.

If you're interested in writing for any of the three fields, the book is worth buying. If you are interested in more than one, then you can't pass it up under any circumstances. Highly recommended.