So... what now?

Barnaby · 10-07-2008, 05:33 PM

Hi!

Last week I got a very good response from a couple of editors from DC when they reviewed my portfolio. They gave me their bussiness cards and told me to keep them in the loop and send them some samples of my work in the future to see my evolution from here on.

My questions are:

1. I know that I'll only show improvements in a few weeks or so... isn't that too much time to wait to contact them? They review portfolios everyday and I'm just another artist. Won't they forget about me in the meantime? Should I start sending them some samples next week or so (I don't want to be a pain in the @ss!)?

2. I talked to those editors at diferent times. Is it ok to send sample to both or I should just chose one?

3. Any other useful tip...? Their interest in my work might not be nothing but it may worth a shot...

No skin off my back!

Thanks guys!

James Taylor · 10-07-2008, 05:51 PM

I would drop them a quick email and say thanks, it was nice meeting you blah, blah, blah. I’ll be sending you some new samples in a few weeks.

Then every two to four weeks send them new samples. Make sure it’s 3-5 pages and that the file sizes aren’t huge. Probably include a couple pages of the old samples as a reminder as well.

Give a note reminding them where you met and that you’re working hard at improving.

Send too all the editors at the same time, just make sure it’s separate emails. They don’t always have work available so it doesn’t hurt to send to more than one guy.

They like knowing that you can turn out work, that’s why it’s good to send to them on a regular basis. They want to see initiative and hustle on your part, it shows you’re not flaky, in addition to your abilities and growth. Maybe even after a sample or two ask if they have a sample script for you to work some new samples off of.

Saul Haber · 10-07-2008, 06:23 PM

That sounds like really solid advice. Thank you notes/emails/calls are always a good idea to show your gratefulness and respect and to make sure they remember you.
Congratulations, man! You're on your way!

Barnaby · 10-08-2008, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saul Haber

That sounds like really solid advice. Thank you notes/emails/calls are always a good idea to show your gratefulness and respect and to make sure they remember you.
Congratulations, man! You're on your way!

Thanks!

Already send the mail... don't really know how important the interest in my work really is, but I'll keep them posted. I always play down my expectations, so... no disapointment if this doesn't go anywhere...

MARS · 10-08-2008, 12:14 PM

Depends on the editor really.

You,yourself should know how far along you are with your skill set.If you look at your work and see that you need a couple months or so to work on things...Do so. Take your time and do it right. Don't just rush pages to get them out so you can be remembered.You will only be remembered as

"that guys not that good but he's fast." which means you'll be a fill-in guy for life.Middle relief pitcher brought into a blow out with the bases loaded. Not a good place to be i assure you.

If you are slower but the stuff looks banging. You will get something to do.Worry about speed and deadlines later. You are going for the big finish.You are the Closer.

In my previous experience i asked editors for sample scripts or specific characters they would like to see me draw.Most editors will be happy to provide sample scripts for you to work from.Or you can really pay attention to them as they thumb through your portfolio- the images they stop on...

More of that please.

Keep them in the loop about you progress but don't be overbearing about it. They see hundreds of pages a week. Pages that are ongoing projects that need first attention.

Again- some people here said- send to all editors at seperate times- I would suggest against this...Editors are sorta kinda sorta territorial. If you have made contact with a specific editor- stick with THAT editor.

Don't call. No one will answer the phone. Trust me.They only answer the phone when you owe them pages.Emails are best...It's passive aggressive all the way and it's easier to not deal with telling an artist you don't have work for them or they aren't ready.Nobody likes to hear either- and editors don't usually like to deliver that message. They want you working but they want you to earn the playing time.

Here's where you need to pay attention to what editor does what and what books he/she handles. Find out who the assistants are.Research your future employer. Like any job.

It's naive to think that if your work is very good that it will not make the rounds...Because it will.

I stress this all the time- but if you have JUST made this contact with an editor- gear up your portfolio and hit the road. If you just made this contact you are in a prime position to get in the game. This is the time of year were Pro's tend to fall behind or jump ship on titles,ect (holidays man...holidays.). So i would look into maybe some of those first cons that kick off the year to make an appearance with some new stellar work.

NYCC comes immediately to mind...Because they will ALL be there.And it's soon.Stay in their brains.

Remember timing and patience is everything (very hard to have in the drawin' pictures game i know). Stick-to-it-ness will get you rewards.As for personal advice...

Go into every project like it's your last.Because someone esle out there will be.Like me.

Congrats and good luck!

M.

Barnaby · 10-08-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARS

Again- some people here said- send to all editors at seperate times- I would suggest against this...Editors are sorta kinda sorta territorial. If you have made contact with a specific editor- stick with THAT editor.

M.

My problem is that I talked to one, he liked my work, gave me his card and asked me to keep him informed. Two hours later I talk to another (I was trying to get the most number of opinions that I could!), he liked my work, gave me his card and asked me to keep him informed... They both work for DC and they're probably even friends.

Now, I hate to think that I should have to "chose" one... I don't want to ignore one of them... isn't that bad?

Newt · 10-08-2008, 02:17 PM

Perhaps you could tell each editor that you are also sending your work to the other; if they don't like that they can hash it out between one another and get back to you. Trying to figure out interoffice politics at this stage will get you nowhere. Just my $0.02.

JAQ · 10-08-2008, 02:36 PM

Just mention in your communication with each of them that you enjoyed talking with him "and with your colleague so-and-so", and you were pleased by "the encouragement and advice you each gave me". That way there's no secret that you've talked to the other editor, and each one should assume you're following up the same way with the other.

The chances that you'll have to "choose" one over the other are pretty slim. If you're lucky, one or the other will offer you some work at some point in the future, and that choice of which one to work with will be made for you. If you're not lucky, neither contact will pan out. If you're so incredibly lucky and talented that they both end up fighting over you... their petty office politics aren't your problem.

10-07-2008, 05:33 PM	#1
Barnaby The man with no plan! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Portugal Posts: 482	So... what now? Hi! Last week I got a very good response from a couple of editors from DC when they reviewed my portfolio. They gave me their bussiness cards and told me to keep them in the loop and send them some samples of my work in the future to see my evolution from here on. My questions are: 1. I know that I'll only show improvements in a few weeks or so... isn't that too much time to wait to contact them? They review portfolios everyday and I'm just another artist. Won't they forget about me in the meantime? Should I start sending them some samples next week or so (I don't want to be a pain in the @ss!)? 2. I talked to those editors at diferent times. Is it ok to send sample to both or I should just chose one? 3. Any other useful tip...? Their interest in my work might not be nothing but it may worth a shot... No skin off my back! Thanks guys!

10-07-2008, 05:51 PM	#2
James Taylor Hero Wannabe Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 227	I would drop them a quick email and say thanks, it was nice meeting you blah, blah, blah. I’ll be sending you some new samples in a few weeks. Then every two to four weeks send them new samples. Make sure it’s 3-5 pages and that the file sizes aren’t huge. Probably include a couple pages of the old samples as a reminder as well. Give a note reminding them where you met and that you’re working hard at improving. Send too all the editors at the same time, just make sure it’s separate emails. They don’t always have work available so it doesn’t hurt to send to more than one guy. They like knowing that you can turn out work, that’s why it’s good to send to them on a regular basis. They want to see initiative and hustle on your part, it shows you’re not flaky, in addition to your abilities and growth. Maybe even after a sample or two ask if they have a sample script for you to work some new samples off of. __________________ James Taylor Inking & Design Portfolio - Professional Inker & Artist Rorschach Entertainment - My Little Publishing Company Jet City Comic Show

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10-07-2008, 06:23 PM	#3
Saul Haber Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,581	That sounds like really solid advice. Thank you notes/emails/calls are always a good idea to show your gratefulness and respect and to make sure they remember you. Congratulations, man! You're on your way!

10-08-2008, 12:14 PM	#5
MARS Alien Technologist Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The Fishbowl, Feel-adelphia Posts: 882	Depends on the editor really. You,yourself should know how far along you are with your skill set.If you look at your work and see that you need a couple months or so to work on things...Do so. Take your time and do it right. Don't just rush pages to get them out so you can be remembered.You will only be remembered as "that guys not that good but he's fast." which means you'll be a fill-in guy for life.Middle relief pitcher brought into a blow out with the bases loaded. Not a good place to be i assure you. If you are slower but the stuff looks banging. You will get something to do.Worry about speed and deadlines later. You are going for the big finish.You are the Closer. In my previous experience i asked editors for sample scripts or specific characters they would like to see me draw.Most editors will be happy to provide sample scripts for you to work from.Or you can really pay attention to them as they thumb through your portfolio- the images they stop on... More of that please. Keep them in the loop about you progress but don't be overbearing about it. They see hundreds of pages a week. Pages that are ongoing projects that need first attention. Again- some people here said- send to all editors at seperate times- I would suggest against this...Editors are sorta kinda sorta territorial. If you have made contact with a specific editor- stick with THAT editor. Don't call. No one will answer the phone. Trust me.They only answer the phone when you owe them pages.Emails are best...It's passive aggressive all the way and it's easier to not deal with telling an artist you don't have work for them or they aren't ready.Nobody likes to hear either- and editors don't usually like to deliver that message. They want you working but they want you to earn the playing time. Here's where you need to pay attention to what editor does what and what books he/she handles. Find out who the assistants are.Research your future employer. Like any job. It's naive to think that if your work is very good that it will not make the rounds...Because it will. I stress this all the time- but if you have JUST made this contact with an editor- gear up your portfolio and hit the road. If you just made this contact you are in a prime position to get in the game. This is the time of year were Pro's tend to fall behind or jump ship on titles,ect (holidays man...holidays.). So i would look into maybe some of those first cons that kick off the year to make an appearance with some new stellar work. NYCC comes immediately to mind...Because they will ALL be there.And it's soon.Stay in their brains. Remember timing and patience is everything (very hard to have in the drawin' pictures game i know). Stick-to-it-ness will get you rewards.As for personal advice... Go into every project like it's your last.Because someone esle out there will be.Like me. Congrats and good luck! M.

10-08-2008, 02:17 PM	#7
Newt Common cold fusion Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: On the mighty Cumberland Posts: 5,136	Perhaps you could tell each editor that you are also sending your work to the other; if they don't like that they can hash it out between one another and get back to you. Trying to figure out interoffice politics at this stage will get you nowhere. Just my $0.02.

10-08-2008, 02:36 PM	#8
JAQ Jason A. Quest Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Purgatory, Michigan Posts: 1,785	Just mention in your communication with each of them that you enjoyed talking with him "and with your colleague so-and-so", and you were pleased by "the encouragement and advice you each gave me". That way there's no secret that you've talked to the other editor, and each one should assume you're following up the same way with the other. The chances that you'll have to "choose" one over the other are pretty slim. If you're lucky, one or the other will offer you some work at some point in the future, and that choice of which one to work with will be made for you. If you're not lucky, neither contact will pan out. If you're so incredibly lucky and talented that they both end up fighting over you... their petty office politics aren't your problem.