The Leonardo is proud to present this rare opportunity for local artists, writers, and other storytellers: a series of Master Classes covering the unique medium of comic books. Multimedia artists Paul Guinan and Anina Bennett will bring their 20+ years of experience in sequential art to teach you everything from the basics of visual narrative techniques—both writing and illustration—to the collaboration between writers and artists, to the business aspects of making your way through the publishing world. Anina will also offer one-on-one manuscript critiques for your prose, screenplays, or comic book scripts.
These classes are designed for visual artists and writers interested in creative professional careers. Discounts available when signing up for multiple classes.
To register, contact us at 801.531.9800 ext. 201
MASTER CLASSES
1. Intro to Comics and Visual Storytelling
Friday, June 8 | 6:00pm | 30 minutes | Free with preregistration for any related class
2. Comic Book Art and Storytelling
Friday, June 8 | 7:00pm | 120 minutes | $100
3. The Art of Visual Writing
Saturday, June 9 | 11:00am | 120 minutes | $100
4. Words and Pictures: How Do Writers and Artists Work Together?
Friday, June 15 | 7:00pm | 120 minutes | $100
5. The Business of Art and Writing
Saturday, June 16 | 11:00am | 120 minutes | $100
Individual Manuscript Critiques
TBD | 30 minutes | $100
Sign up for each class individually or choose one of the options below:
Option A: Select any two Master Classes, plus "Intro to Comics and Visual Storytelling," for a discounted price of $180.
Includes drawing/writing supplies and signed copies of Boilerplate: History's Mechanical Marvel, Frank Reade: Adventures in the Age of Invention, and Heartbreakers Meet Boilerplate (total value $280).
Option B: Complete course includes all four Master Classes, plus "Intro to Comics and Visual Storytelling," for a discounted price of $380.
Includes drawing/writing supplies and signed copies of Boilerplate: History's Mechanical Marvel, Frank Reade: Adventures in the Age of Invention, and Heartbreakers Meet Boilerplate (total value $480).
1. Intro to Comics and Visual Storytelling
Friday, June 8 | 6:00pm | 30 minutes | Free with preregistration for any related class
Comic books and graphic novels are a unique storytelling medium with their own visual language and traditions. Learn the secrets of sequential art in comics—and how it's different from movies and illustrated books—from artist/author Paul Guinan and writer/editor Anina Bennett, a multimedia creative team. The concepts introduced during this overview will be explored in depth during their master classes.
To register, contact us at 801.531.9800 ext. 201
2. Comic Book Art and Storytelling
Friday, June 8 | 7:00pm | 120 minutes | $100
Join Paul Guinan for a detailed exploration of comic book illustration techniques, panel and page composition, and narrative flow. Participants will break down part of a script into visual layouts and, time permitting; will receive individual instruction and critiques. Please bring one or more recent examples of your artwork.
To register, contact us at 801.531.9800 ext. 201
3. The Art of Visual Writing
Saturday, June 9 | 11:00am | 120 minutes | $100
Comic book writers not only have to be good wordsmiths, they must also be able to think visually and communicate their vision to illustrators. Anina Bennett will explain how to hone your visual thinking skills and use every tool in the comic book writer's toolbox—from page layouts, visual pacing, and panel descriptions to individual elements such as sound effects, captions, and even lettering and border styles. Participants will get to try their hand at scripting pages based on an existing plot.
To register, contact us at 801.531.9800 ext. 201
4. Words and Pictures: How Do Writers and Artists Work Together?
Friday, June 15 | 7:00pm | 120 minutes | $100
Comics and illustrated books, like movies, are often a collaborative medium: Writers, artists, editors, letterers, and colorists work together in various combos to create the stories we love to read. How do they do it? What's the difference between “plot first” and “full script” writing methods? Find out from Anina Bennett and Paul Guinan, who've been collaborating with each other—and with other creators—for more than 20 years.
To register, contact us at 801.531.9800 ext. 201
5. The Business of Art and Writing
Saturday, June 16 | 11:00am | 120 minutes | $100
In the professional creative world, mastering your craft is only half the battle. The other half is selling it—to publishers, producers, distributors, educators, media, readers, and/or viewers. Join veteran multimedia creators Anina Bennett and Paul Guinan for a discussion of how to pitch and market your work, IP ownership structures, movie and licensing deals, social media trends, and more.
To register, contact us at 801.531.9800 ext. 201
Individual Manuscript Critiques
TBD | 30 minutes | $100
Word count limit: 10,000 words, including synopsis
Looking for professional-level feedback on your writing? Submit your manuscript in advance, and then meet with author/editor Anina Bennett for a one-on-one critique session. Critiques will cover what's working, what's not working, specific suggestions for improvement, and Q&A. Participants may submit prose, screenplays, or comic book scripts. All submissions must include a synopsis and meet the word count limit; for longer works, please submit an excerpt.
To register, contact us at 801.531.9800 ext. 201
The Leonardo thanks the voters of Salt Lake County for their support of the Zoo, Arts & Parks program.
