Animation : Comic Book to TV series? by Cénack Winchester

Cénack Winchester

Comic Book to TV series?

Hi everybody, I'm glad to join the community, I cant wait to meet all of you guys in different fields of this huge and amazing passion.

I'm a comic book artist, my first comic book called "PLACMAN" has its first issue out since the last November, I'm currently working on a project with Terry Crews since the last month, and also preparing some new characters for the 2nd issue of PLACMAN, and I'm also writing another comic book concept about artists/ Art in society, it's a kind of shonen and Sci-Fi stuff, with some character design of it.

Just to give you some idea of Placman story (I'll show you a page of the story down below), as I'm from West Africa, been inspired by Disney, Marvel, DC, and Manga, I wanted to tell something unique, something that you can only see in Africa( in west Africa) of course the story-telling might be similar from far to many many others but the essence of it could be different if we take a closer look, like for example I'm from Ivory coast and there is almost exactly 60 ethnicities and watch of them got different stories, different villages.

And so, learning from youtube and cinema from Hollywood or Anime I really wanted to adapt all of this knowledge to our Habits and nowadays society including superhero clothing with a kind of logical stuff I mean like, no suit like what we use to see on batman or the flash or even black panther because it's really hot in my area (to be honest I've always thought about the day i' will have the chance to make my comic book into Tv series/ live-action) so I try to make some realistic costume even knowing we are in a Sci-Fi universe, to me, it's important to bring credibility to a superhero movie when it's about to turn the comic book into Tv series. that part reminds me of when the director in Bolt, the dog animation movie, says " the dog has to believe in so people believe in too".

Sorry for talking much, I was supposed to ask one question ...

I wanted to know if someone can advise me on how I can turn my comic book into an animated series (I thought about a few months ago to contact someone that would like to make a kind of teaser so that I could add it to my Synopsis and comic to show it to a producer, maybe it's not the right way, I don't know), I'm also open to any proposition or advice, feel free to write me, or if also you have any questions don't hesitate.

Karen "Kay" Ross

No need to apologize - posts come in all sizes! LOL! Also, I love the initiative of your series, showing the diversity within West Africa - so cool! If you haven't already, definitely check out the free webinar by Chris Mack, the Netflix Pitch Workshop: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Stage-32-%20-Netflix-Present-Television-Pitch-Workshop

Ooo, if you're looking for something interactive, there is an upcoming Stage32 Lab with Mike Disa for 5 weeks where you will be taught how to put together your animated series pitch: https://www.stage32.com/classes/Stage-32-TV-Animation-Lab-Build-an-Outli...

Since you already have the story figured out within your comic book series, then moving straight into a pitch makes more sense. Chris Mack mentions you don't necessarily need a script to successfully pitch to Netflix, and I think your case is a good example as to why: you still have the story mapped out, so adapting it into a script will be easier for you.

Cénack Winchester

yes! thank you for the link, I'm not the type of guy who let an occasion to learn more things slip away, so yes thank you for the link. :)

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Cénack. Nice to meet you. The comic art is impressive!

Cénack Winchester

Hey Maurice, Thank You! Nice to meet you too!

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome. The comic about artists and art in society sounds interesting.

Cénack Winchester

yeah? my friends say it sounds original, but I need a professional look at it, I don't know, since I'm 12 I always wanted to make an anime or movie like you know Hunger Games or something including artists and their position in the society with some shonen manga touch to make it epic. so until I got a chance to realize it, I try to do what I can now which is make a comic or manga, here is a character from it

Cénack Winchester

this one is the main character

Christian Nommay

I had the pleasure to hire Cénack recently to help me with my animated series project. I highly recommend his services as a character designer. He's very professional and keeps improving every day.

Cénack Winchester

Thank you so much Christian Nommay, it's really a huge pleasure to work with you. :)

Maurice Vaughan

I like the poster and the concept. Does the main character draw weapons he uses?

Cénack Winchester

Yes but it's more complexe than that

Christopher Thomas

Great Vision!!

Cénack Winchester

Thank you Christopher!

John Ellis

If you're working with Terry Crews, ask him.

He may not know anything about comic-to-TV or even be interested in the project himself (although if he doesn't see the value in it, I would seriously question its viability, regardless of how much you love it), but I'm sure he knows people.

This business is ultimately about relationships.

Cénack Winchester

Hey John,

I just started workin on his project, I mean, even without knowing how this business is about relationship, out of being "digital friends" in real life, i'll rather at least finish his project first, and then , maybe try to ask him if he's interessted or if he can advising me...

John Ellis

Yeah, finish the project - your work ethic will create a great connection! Good luck!

Cénack Winchester

Thank you, John!

Tess Meyer

Hi Cénack, great artwork! The netflix link Karen posted above is super useful for what you're wanting to do. I really appreciated the way Mr Mack boiled everything down so succinctly- much better than I could! I guess my advice would be once you feel that you've done everything you can on your own to think about building your team. Look for fun, like minded people who's talent fills the gaps in your own. No one makes a project solo, it takes a whole village to pull it together and it gets a lot more fun once you have other people to bounce off who are equally invested in the success of the project. If you feel like you're a long way from that, it might be worth joining an artists group where you can share your work for feedback and fresh perspectives.

Cénack Winchester

Hey Tess, thank you! and yes that's exactly why I'm here (meet people/talent to connect with, learn, and work with). About the link, I've almost finished watching the video of Christopher mark, I said to myself, this content is really bigger than many years in a school of cinema, I mean to me. Maybe it's that part on how to build a team that I don't know where to start...

Tess Meyer

Hey Cénack, Just reaching out and putting yourself out there as you've done says that you're off to the right start! You can always look into work you admire, see who the people behind it were and use that as a jumping off point to create a list of people/production houses you'd like to reach out to. There are also heaps of writers groups and animation groups via art schools, guilds, online and on social media, just takes a bit of digging around to find the right one for you. When you're building your team you're going to want to think about who you need to get your concept pitch ready. I don't know much about your skill set, but generally a strong development team for animation has people who can understand the practice of design, story/writing, production, and direction. Of course multi talented people can fill multiple roles, but it helps to have input or feedback from people who can cover those core areas. I hope that helps!

Cénack Winchester

Hey Tess, Thank you so much, that helps a lot! I will do that.

Allan Tamshen

Since you live in LA you might want to check out Erman Baradi’s speed networking events. Was able to share a script with two people in development companies.

Terrence Sellers

So you are the writer and artist for PLACMAN? That's impressive.

C. E. Simon

I just had a look through your photos. Your art is awesome. There's so much energy behind everything. Really cool.

Cénack Winchester

@allanTamchen, no, I'm dont live in USA

MB Stevens

Welcome Cénack Winchester Cool art.

Karen "Kay" Ross

Welcome back, Cénack Winchester! How have you been?! I'd love for you to post an update. What are you working on?

Cénack Winchester

Hi Karen, i'm fine, hope you'r doing well, yes, I will

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