KSF Teaser Poster

Want some of this?

Then go to Komikon Summer Fiesta 2009!

May 16, 2009; 10am - 8pm; Saturday
UP Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman, Q.C.
Entrance fee: P50

Keep watching for updates!!!

For tables and other inquiries, email us at komikon[@]gmail.com

KSF Contests: Character Creation and Comic Creation

Good news! We are announcing two contests for the coming Komikon Summer Fiesta! Check out the details below for the Summer Character Creation Contest and the Summer Comic Creation Contest.

SUMMER CHARACTER CREATION CONTEST

This year’s theme is :

"Lamang Dagat"

(Create a Sea / Water Creature / Character)

• Contest is open to all comic book artists except for professionals with published works sold in bookstores.
• CREATE AN ORIGINAL Sea / Water Creature / Character
• Write a short write up about your character.
• Entries can be digitally of traditionally rendered.
• Entries are to be submitted online with a canvass size of 8 1/2 x 11 (letter size) and having the resolution of 150 - 300dpi. E-mail entries to komikon[at]gmail[dot]com with the subject: SUMMER KOMIKON: Character Making Contest. Only e-mail entries are accepted.
• One entry per person only.
• Deadline of submission of entries is on April 25, 2009
• E-mail should include the following information:
  

a. Name of Character:
b. Short description:
c. Name of Artist:
d. Age:
e. School/occupation:
f. Contact information (mobile no./e-mail)

=======================================================

SUMMER COMIC CREATION CONTEST

This year’s theme is :

"Nag-iinit sa Tag-init"

(Create a Summer themed comic using this title.)

• Contest is open to all comic book artists except for professionals with published works sold in bookstores.
• Contestants / groups are limited to only one entry.
• Entries submitted by groups are required to submit the names of the individuals involved in creating the indie. Group entries with professionals on board are automatically disqualified.
• Entries should adhere to the given theme. Entries deviating from the theme shall be automatically disqualified.
• Deadline of submissions will be on April 25, 2009. Entries submitted beyond April 25 shall not be accepted.
• Winners shall be announced on the event itself on May 16 and shall be notified via e-mail or phone.
• The judge's decision is final.

Submit 3 copies of your entry via air mail to

SUMMER KOMIKON 2009: COMIC CREATION CONTEST
c/o Jon Zamar at 132 a Narra Street,
Project 3, Quezon City 1102
*send us an email at komikon[@]gmail.com to confirm if we have received it

or through the following drop off points which will be announced.

Additional guidelines:

• Entries should be in the form of a comic book with the following specs: 8.5 X 6.5 (long bond paper, folded, and stapled twice in the middle)
• Entries should be placed in a short brown envelope with their name, address, phone number, and e-mail written legibly at the upper left hand corner.
• Stories must be 4 to 12 pages long (excluding cover)
• Please note that entries are non-returnable. Entries should be reproductions only. (originals will not be returned)
• Colored and/or black and white entries are accepted.
• There are no restrictions as to the genre or art style that can be used as long as the comic book follows the given theme.
• The story should be in the form of a one-shot title. It should be whole in itself, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Multiple comic stories in a single entry (anthology) will not be allowed.
  

Criteria for Judging:

40% Visual narrative: Knowledge and application of the visual language of comics.

30% Story: Concept and integration of the given theme in a cohesive and entertaining tale.

20% Presentation: Expertise in comic book production. This includes legibility, quality of reproduction, and overall tech savvy.

10% Overall impact: This refers to how all of the elements unite to form a solid comic book.

KSF 2009 Indie Tiangge Registration

KOMIKON SUMMER FIESTA INDIE TIANGGE IS NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION!

There will be 12 tables provided for the indie tiangge.
Three (3) groups/individuals per table (only 3 chairs per table).
First 36 groups/individuals to complete the registration process will be allowed to sell their comics / merchandise at the event.

NEW RULES:

1) A registration form must be downloaded, filled out and submitted to komikon@gmail.com along with scanned covers and 2 inside pages of indies to be sold. Send with the subject: KOMIKON SUMMER INDIE TIANGGE 2009

Download Individual Registration Form
Download Group Registration Form

2) Upon approval of the registration form, a registration fee of P100 must be deposited.

Detailed procedures can be read from the registration form. All inquiries / questions must be sent to komikon@gmail.com.


*If you wish to be a sponsor / partner / exhibitor, email us at komikon[@]gmail.com or you may download the proposal and floor plan (as of Feb. 16, 2009).

The Hottest Convention This Summer!!!

YES, maybe, literally and figuratively...It's going to be the HOTTEST CONVENTION THIS SUMMER!!!

KOMIKON SUMMER FIESTA 2009
Date: May 16, 2009, Saturday
Time: 10:00am - 8:00pm
Venue: UP Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman, QC
Tickets: P50

Wear your coolest summer clothes and catch the first wave of bigger things to come!!! Stay tuned for more details.

For sponsors, exhibitors and indie tiangge inquiries, please email komikon@gmail.com

KOMIKS 101 Talk: Tips On Getting Jobs Abroad

It is the first time in the history of the Annual Filipino Komiks Convention (KOMIKON) that it had week-long activities scheduled days before the event proper. With the help of the UP LUNAROCK and UP GRAIL, activities within the UP Diliman Campus were held from November 17-21, 2008.

Panelists (L-R): Gilbert, Melvin, Harvey, Wilson

The week started off with a talk entitled “KOMIKS 101”. The talk was held last November 17 at the Auditorium at the College of Fine Arts and moderated by Mr. Mark Navarro. Two topics were discussed that day. The first topic was about Filipino comic artists working abroad, “Komikeros for Hire”. The panelists were Gilbert Monsanto (Rambol, Tropa, Bayan Knights), Harvey Tolibao (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic), Melvin Calingo (Pasig, Destiny’s Hand) and Wilson Tortosa (Battle of the Planets, Tomb Raider). After each artist had introduced themselves and told their very inspiring stories about how they got into the comic business, we’ve summarized some important points in their discussion.

Tips on getting jobs abroad:

1) Developing your portfolio. We had a lot of good tips from our panelists like “do not be stuck with one art style”. Wilson Tortosa says he got selected for his unique portfolio of people in dynamic poses. A lot of new artists would only do pin ups with generic static poses. It is good to have your drawing “express emotions” as his current employer saw in Wilson’s work. It would be more impressive if artists show a variety of artworks - more than just coloring, drawing and inking, like layout jobs, 3D modeling, sculpture or crafts, or even script writing. As experienced by Gilbert Monsanto, his script writing became his stepping stone into comics.

2) Getting your work out. It is very fortunate for artists nowadays that the internet plays a huge part in getting jobs abroad. During Gilbert’s time, sample works had to be shipped and it took a long time to wait for responses. Today, with online sites like deviantart.com, artists’ works now has worldwide exposure. The internet also allows real time exchange and dialogues with clients abroad. Melvin Calingo got his work in Seven Seas Entertainment this way. Owning a personal website or having an account in sites like Deviant Art is really helpful. Attending comic conventions and seminars is also like going to job fairs. Have your printed portfolio handy. Harvey Tolibao and Wilson Tortosa got their break when they attended the seminars of Glasshouse Graphics Inc. where they are currently employed.

From L-R: Ariel (Komikon Organizer), Gilbert, Mark (Arbitrator), Melvin, Harvey, Wilson

3) Protecting yourself. When accepting work via the internet, it is good to “set rules”. As discussed by the panel, a lot of artists are victims to the “exposure now, payment later” scheme. When offering commission works, it is advisable to ask for 50% down payment before starting on a project and the other 50% when it’s done. Also, setting specific guidelines for the client would be helpful, like specifying what you could or cannot do; size of artwork, how final artworks will be sent, and how many revisions will be accepted. In setting deadlines, let the client know how much time you really need so that they won’t be disappointed. Send rough samples with very low resolutions and very small print sizes so that it cannot be used. Here is a sample of Gilbert’s rules as posted in his deviant art account: http://gammaknight.deviantart.com/journal/17855083. It is recommended that when artists upload original characters and scripts must be copyrighted.

4) Getting paid. There are numerous ways of accepting payment from clients abroad. The most recommended ways are thru XOOM and Paypal. Payments sent thru banks, like XOOM, will take a part of your payment for fees. So it is advisable to send the client a breakdown of payment showing additional fees separated from artist’s fees. For Paypal, an artist must have a credit card. For XOOM, a personal savings account is enough but it is better to have a dollar account. Visit XOOM (http://www.xoom.com) and Paypal (http://www.paypal.com) for more information.

5) Working for an agent. Having an agent is good in some ways. They are the ones who meet with clients, show your work around, and check up on you for deadlines. Agents do get a cut from artist’s fees but it’s like being spoon fed just waiting for work to come to you. Working for an agent is not for everyone though.

Two hours were not enough for this specific topic but the basics are covered. Most of our panelists can be said to have great luck on their side or just overly talented. It is truly an honor to have this set of panelists to help us start off, like they say, “Take it from the experts”.

Harvey with participants

Watch out next time for our updates of Part 2 of “KOMIKS 101”.