When writing a comic script; how much detail for an artist

Hello all,

I am currently working on my first idea for a comic script and I am wondering how much details an artist in general needs from a writer in order to depict a scene somewhat as the writer has it in mind.

Someone has shown me descriptions examples before, some writers just providing a basic storyline, the characters, dialogues, perhaps some descriptions of some elements within the story while leaving the rest for the artist to imagine.

Then there are writers who descriptions per panel, describing the characters (looks on their faces, current pose and position), various objects, the background, and of course when something goes on, all the details on that.

I have written several dozens of panels now and have mostly focused on the characters and not so much their surroundings outside some panels here and there where I feel it is needed.

But is it better to add as much details as possible as what is depicted on a panel, including the setting even if it is a re use of what was seen in the previous panel, or can in general an artist work what should be shown on the background if a writer just adds that it is a follow up of the previous panel, just perhaps changing perspective and angles somewhat.

That is interesting advice.
I have to confess that I have not found an artist yet and my intention is to write a couple of scripts and find some people here who are willing to go through them and give me feedback, or that I perhaps post them here in order to get such.

I want to make a good impression, that is also why I want my first script to be as good as possible.

Benpanced, a friend of mine today also have me a link to a website today that also had different formats/layouts? (don't know the right English word at the moment) used by various writers.

While I plan to finish my own take first, I will have a look at these other script layouts later, and if one seems better I will convert my script to that layout.


dpaterso,

Bear in... it's important.

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I understand, but sometimes it is not so clear on what there should actually be shown on the panel, or what panel just serves to move on the conversation so to speak where action, characters poses, and background play a less of important role.

Of course I would provide as much information whenever possible but it would be redundant to describe the same room, area, or location over and over again per panel when it does not play a role.

I had not thought about the stick figure one yet.

Gotta say, I haven't seen anyone post comic scripts in Share Your Work for feedback in a while... or maybe ever. I'm not sure what kind of response you'll get when you do this.

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Oh, I do hope that that will not result in being unable to find any people who would be willing to read my script and provide me feedback or would be willing to help me make corrections and fixes.


regdog,

Unfortunate they don't hold those in my part of the Netherlands, or very regularly.
We do have a couple of big comic conventions a couple of times a year but I don't know when they are planned for this year.


Isilya,

I might want to have a talk with you once I feel my first script is finished, asking you to have a look over it and tell me what is good and what can be improved.