Zeros2Heroes... 2Good2BTrue?

[Yojimbo]

I've been on the Zeros2Heroes.com website, and read through the long and short of their Comic Creation Nation contest. Minus that fact that us Gringos from south of the border aren't eligible (eh!), it seems like a plum of an opportunity. However, I want to make sure it's as good as it sounds and not a giant trap to steal licensing rights from every amateur with a truly good idea out there. Concerns that I have copied directly from the site:

"11. Will I be able to retain creative control if my story eventually gets optioned as, say, a movie?

This is what we call a "high class problem."
For those concepts lucky enough to go the distance in the entertainment world, it is increasingly tricky to retain control. For an undiscovered writer, it becomes nearly impossible. If this situation should ever arise, we'll be working as your partner to achieve the best business deal possible. "

Sounds to me like they want to make it sound like a problem, but do so ambiguously enough so that they keep the initiative in taking someone's creation away from them and putting their own creative team on the idea.

"18. So, the writers will be getting paid too, right?
Uh, no. Sorry about that!
Comic Creation Nation is intended to give undiscovered writers their first break in the industry. To do this, Zeros 2 Heroes will be underwriting the costs of art, editorial, distribution and marketing. Your "skin in the game" as the writer is to produce a great story that works as an amazing comic.

If you're looking to get paid as a writer - and who isn't? - this campaign isn't the right fit. If you're a writer who wants to get their first professionally produced work, then climb aboard.

As a side note, however, Zeros 2 Heroes does hire writers from time to time. If you're interested, the best way to show us a sample of your work is probably through the online pitch packager we're launching for this contest."

I'm totally cool with this, but want you to verify that I should be. For my part, their willingness to accept all financial risk and foot the production bills for my break-in work is just as good as getting paid. I'd probably save more than I'd get paid if I self-published. However, something in the back of my mind is saying that the person who handed me the contract was Elizabeth Hurley, and she was wearing the most stunning set of horns with a red dress I've ever seen... Is my Spider-Sense justified in tingling?

Opinions welcome,
Yojimbo

[Raven]

It's a popularity contest though, much like this forum, you have to get votes by being present and being a personality on the site. I just didn't have the time for that.

[Iron Syndicate]

I interviewed them a while back when they first launched and the guys there seem on the level. I don't think they're out there to screw anyone, they were just interested in launching this cool initiative...

Here's a link to the interview, if you're interested - http://www.silverbulletcomics.com/news/story.php?a=5995

[Yojimbo]

In terms of the popularity contest... it's either that or flying coast-to-coast to hit all the Cons, licking all the envelopes, and writing all those 8-page zombie and western shorts trying to get noticed. To me it seems like six of one, a half-dozen of the other. I'm still studying it though.

I'll still be licking envelopes, but that's fewer plane tickets and cowboy zombie stories.

[vartemis]

Hey Yojimbo,

I'm an Associate Editor at Zeros2Heroes, and I can vouch for the fact that we are on the up and up. I will try and answer the questions you have as best I can.

Originally Posted by Yojimbo

Minus that fact that us Gringos from south of the border aren't eligible (eh!)

Although you are not eligible for Canada: Comic Creation Nation, there are certain parties that do browse the pitches looking for writers and their ideas to be developed into movies, videogames, and animated properties. You may not get a comic out of the deal, but that still doesn't mean you shouldn't pitch something.

We are also looking at ways to broaden our scope and allow more people the opportunity we are providing. C:CCN is limited because it is funded in part by Telefilm Canada's NewMedia grant, and has certain restrictions on it in order to be eligible, hence the restriction on this particular contest.

Originally Posted by Yojimbo

11. Will I be able to retain creative control if my story eventually gets optioned as, say, a movie?

This is what we call a "high class problem."
For those concepts lucky enough to go the distance in the entertainment world, it is increasingly tricky to retain control. For an undiscovered writer, it becomes nearly impossible. If this situation should ever arise, we'll be working as your partner to achieve the best business deal possible. "

Sounds to me like they want to make it sound like a problem, but do so ambiguously enough so that they keep the initiative in taking someone's creation away from them and putting their own creative team on the idea.

This has nothing to do with stealing your idea and putting our own spin on it. What we are trying to say is that, as a new writer, the odds of you retaining creative control on a property that is optioned is slim to none, regardless of whether it was done through us or other channels. For example, I was talking with Tim Vigil at a con a couple of years ago regarding the film based upon his property "Faust". He explained that he did not have creative control over the film, and he was not responsible for the final product. Compare the Ninja Turtles with what their original comic versions were, and you will see that the original vision of Eastman and Laird was not what showed up in the cartoons.

Originally Posted by Yojimbo

18. So, the writers will be getting paid too, right?

Uh, no. Sorry about that!

Comic Creation Nation is intended to give undiscovered writers their first break in the industry. To do this, Zeros 2 Heroes will be underwriting the costs of art, editorial, distribution and marketing. Your "skin in the game" as the writer is to produce a great story that works as an amazing comic.

If you're looking to get paid as a writer - and who isn't? - this campaign isn't the right fit. If you're a writer who wants to get their first professionally produced work, then climb aboard.

As a side note, however, Zeros 2 Heroes does hire writers from time to time. If you're interested, the best way to show us a sample of your work is probably through the online pitch packager we're launching for this contest."

I'm totally cool with this, but want you to verify that I should be. For my part, their willingness to accept all financial risk and foot the production bills for my break-in work is just as good as getting paid. I'd probably save more than I'd get paid if I self-published. However, something in the back of my mind is saying that the person who handed me the contract was Elizabeth Hurley, and she was wearing the most stunning set of horns with a red dress I've ever seen... Is my Spider-Sense justified in tingling?

Consider how much it would cost you to hire a penciller, inker, colorist, letterer, and editor. Now add the cost of an "agent" with the ability to shop it around to various studios and market your material. Most new writer don't make a penny off their first pieces. In fact, they usually end up going into debt to do it. I don't see a downside to this at all.

Hope that answers most of your questions. If you have any more, feel free to post them, and I will try and answer them. If I can't I'll find the answer out for you.

j

[vartemis]

Originally Posted by Raven

It's a popularity contest though, much like this forum, you have to get votes by being present and being a personality on the site. I just didn't have the time for that.

Yes and no. While it's true that the person with the most votes each week is chosen to have a 22 page book made of their pitch, that doesn't necessarily mean that you have to be constantly on the site. If your pitch is good enough, you could theoretically coast your way to victory.

The advantage of networking with people on the site is two-fold.

First, word of mouth passes quickly and makes people interested. If you are creating a new book on your own, you should still be networking on sites like this, and other forums to get people interested in what you are doing. What's the difference between that and networking to promote your pitch?

Second, by networking with the members of the site, you can get feedback on what they like and what they don't like. By getting feedback from your potential audience, you are given the opportunity to fine tune your story BEFORE it goes to print and you find out no body likes what you're doing. This idea of instant feedback from your audiences is one of the main things that attracted me to this organization. It's something that you don't see happening anywhere else.

j

[r nelson]

I sent a story in for the August '06 z2h contest, and got some GREAT feedback from the editors who reviewed it -- no surprise, as all the editors (to my recollection, at least) were fairly well-known and established comics guys, who know better than to try and rip off an unknown.

These guys are on the level.

Vartemis -- is Sean O'Reilly still involved in z2h?

- Richard

[Gonzogoose]

I believe Sean is now with Platinum actually. Arcana joined up with Platinum and last I heard Sean had a more prominent role in the company.

As for Z2H, I also had excellent dealings with the editors in that contest a couple of years ago, and they gave some feedback on one of the three stories I had submitted to it. They seem to be on the up and up to me. And in fact, the day after I posted my lettering portfolio, one of the editors mistaking my work for art contacted me asking for rates and schedule. So I think they are on the lookout for talent overall. But I'm sure it's a harder road for writers as it is in the entire industry.

[vartemis]

Originally Posted by r nelson

Vartemis -- is Sean O'Reilly still involved in z2h?

- Richard

Hey Richard, you can call me Josh lol.

Right now Sean isn't directly involved in what we are doing, but we are always open to working with him should the chance arise. He's pretty busy now with Arcana (which still exists), and the animation work he is doing such as Cock + Load.

j

[vartemis]

Originally Posted by Gonzogoose

I believe Sean is now with Platinum actually.

His signature on his email reads:

Sean O'Reilly
Editor-In-Chief, Arcana Studio
Publishing and Animation, Platinum Studios

So I believe Arcana is still an independent entity, he is just using his contacts from inside Platinum to market some of the Arcana Properties. I just recently found out that he has moved down to LA from Vancouver, but he still has quite a few ties up here in the industry.

j