Post by Falcon on Feb 13, 2004 20:46:59 GMT -5
Name of person interviewed: Todd Nauck
Career:Comic Illustrator/Writer
Rachael:Where do you work now? What project is it your working on?
Todd: I am currently working for DC Comics as penciler for Teen Titans Go. I also work for myself publishing my own comic WildGuard through Image Comics. I do WildGuard comics whenever I can.
Rachael: How long Have you been in the comic buisness?
Todd: I have been in the business for 10 years.
Rachael: What exactly is it that you do? Whats your job description?
Todd: I am a comic book creator. I write and draw comics. I create concepts, characters, and stories for my WilGuard. As penciler for DC's Teen Titans Go, I take the writer's story and translate it into visuals. I design the layout of the page to tell the story clearly and with excitement and draw everything in pencil (which is passed on the the inker who goes over my pencil lines with pen and ink).
Rachael: What products or services does your employer provide? Who are the coustumers?
Todd: Comic book entertaiment for readers aging in range of about 6-60.
Rachael: What qualifications are needed for this career? Any specific training needed?
The ability to draw well and quickly. The ability to tell a story visually. The ability to meet deadlines and communicate with the editors and other members of the creative team. One doesn't have to have training to get into the comics business, but it helps. I trained for commercial art and graphic design at the Art Institute of Dallas. I applied what i learned to comics. They did not have animation or cartooning courses when i went back in 1991-1992.
Rachael: What communication skills are needed for this career? Math skills or technology skills?
Todd: One has to be able to interact on a professional level with the editors and creative teams. Math is necessary for measurements and size dimensions. Computer skills come in handy for lettering the comic (Illustrator) and coloring it (Photoshop).
Rachael: How has this career changed over the years?How has technology affected it?
Todd: Comics have become more diversified over the past 10+ years. It's not just superheroes anymore. Sci-fi, fantasy, western, drama, humor, and even romance comics are becoming popular again. Technology has made great strides in lettering and coloring the comic books. it is becoming more rare for those jobs to be done by hand.
Rachael: What is the best thing about this career? Why?
Todd: I get to tell fun stories and draw all day! I've always loved to draw and I've always loved the idea of super heroes, so it's great to be able to contribute to this great American artform.
Rachael: What is the worst thing about this career? Why?
Todd: It fluctuates in popularity. Sometimes people are really into comics and the industry does well. Sometimes people are not into buying comics and jobs are a little more hard to find. I just hope there are always comic fans enjoying these stories keeping the artform alive and strong!
Rachael: What was the first paying job you had? How did it help with your career?
Todd: My first paying job was babysitting at age 8. It let me make money to buy Star Wars action figures which fueled my creativity and passion for creating stories of heroic adventures.
Rachael: Why did you choose your current career?
Todd: Like I said before, I love drawing and superheroes. Comics let's me do that!
Rachael: What is your advice for preparing for career succsess?
Todd: Have fun. Success comes when it does. A lot of people are in jobs they hate. A lot of people make a lot of money and do not enjoy what they do. To me, money does not equal success. People envy me because I love what I do and have fun. That's success. Money comes and goes. It's a resource traded for goods and services. Enjoying life and growing in love, grace and relationships are where true success is. I heard a story of a man who was a financially secure and powerful businessman who lost his wife and family to divorce. He realized in his older age he spent his whole life climbing the career ladder only to realize he was on the wrong ladder. No one looks back on their life saying I wish I worked more. They long for closeness and time spent with the ones they love. Forgiving past hurts and healing old wounds. In case it's not clear, I am a Christian. These are things I'm trying to grow in. I'm not perfect but I try to keep my focus right and on the Lord. I apologize if I went off track, but it's important to me. You can edit it out for your school project (or leave it in, your choice), but I hope it encourages you.
Rachael: What is your advice for breaking into the comic industry?
Todd: Draw everday! Draw sequential (panel to panel) pages of story. Learn how to tell a story. Take any art classes available. Learn life drawing, perpective, and design. Show 3-4 page samples to editors and pros for critiques at comic conventions. When one's art is at a professional enough level, mail in samples to the comic book companies. And most of all, have fun and draw, draw, draw!!!
Rachael: Again, thanks alot. This really is awesome.
I hope God continues to bless your work, Rachael.
Todd: Thanks, Rachael! Best of luck to you. Hope you do well on this project! Let me know how it turn out. Todd _________________________________________________________________
Career:Comic Illustrator/Writer
Rachael:Where do you work now? What project is it your working on?
Todd: I am currently working for DC Comics as penciler for Teen Titans Go. I also work for myself publishing my own comic WildGuard through Image Comics. I do WildGuard comics whenever I can.
Rachael: How long Have you been in the comic buisness?
Todd: I have been in the business for 10 years.
Rachael: What exactly is it that you do? Whats your job description?
Todd: I am a comic book creator. I write and draw comics. I create concepts, characters, and stories for my WilGuard. As penciler for DC's Teen Titans Go, I take the writer's story and translate it into visuals. I design the layout of the page to tell the story clearly and with excitement and draw everything in pencil (which is passed on the the inker who goes over my pencil lines with pen and ink).
Rachael: What products or services does your employer provide? Who are the coustumers?
Todd: Comic book entertaiment for readers aging in range of about 6-60.
Rachael: What qualifications are needed for this career? Any specific training needed?
The ability to draw well and quickly. The ability to tell a story visually. The ability to meet deadlines and communicate with the editors and other members of the creative team. One doesn't have to have training to get into the comics business, but it helps. I trained for commercial art and graphic design at the Art Institute of Dallas. I applied what i learned to comics. They did not have animation or cartooning courses when i went back in 1991-1992.
Rachael: What communication skills are needed for this career? Math skills or technology skills?
Todd: One has to be able to interact on a professional level with the editors and creative teams. Math is necessary for measurements and size dimensions. Computer skills come in handy for lettering the comic (Illustrator) and coloring it (Photoshop).
Rachael: How has this career changed over the years?How has technology affected it?
Todd: Comics have become more diversified over the past 10+ years. It's not just superheroes anymore. Sci-fi, fantasy, western, drama, humor, and even romance comics are becoming popular again. Technology has made great strides in lettering and coloring the comic books. it is becoming more rare for those jobs to be done by hand.
Rachael: What is the best thing about this career? Why?
Todd: I get to tell fun stories and draw all day! I've always loved to draw and I've always loved the idea of super heroes, so it's great to be able to contribute to this great American artform.
Rachael: What is the worst thing about this career? Why?
Todd: It fluctuates in popularity. Sometimes people are really into comics and the industry does well. Sometimes people are not into buying comics and jobs are a little more hard to find. I just hope there are always comic fans enjoying these stories keeping the artform alive and strong!
Rachael: What was the first paying job you had? How did it help with your career?
Todd: My first paying job was babysitting at age 8. It let me make money to buy Star Wars action figures which fueled my creativity and passion for creating stories of heroic adventures.
Rachael: Why did you choose your current career?
Todd: Like I said before, I love drawing and superheroes. Comics let's me do that!
Rachael: What is your advice for preparing for career succsess?
Todd: Have fun. Success comes when it does. A lot of people are in jobs they hate. A lot of people make a lot of money and do not enjoy what they do. To me, money does not equal success. People envy me because I love what I do and have fun. That's success. Money comes and goes. It's a resource traded for goods and services. Enjoying life and growing in love, grace and relationships are where true success is. I heard a story of a man who was a financially secure and powerful businessman who lost his wife and family to divorce. He realized in his older age he spent his whole life climbing the career ladder only to realize he was on the wrong ladder. No one looks back on their life saying I wish I worked more. They long for closeness and time spent with the ones they love. Forgiving past hurts and healing old wounds. In case it's not clear, I am a Christian. These are things I'm trying to grow in. I'm not perfect but I try to keep my focus right and on the Lord. I apologize if I went off track, but it's important to me. You can edit it out for your school project (or leave it in, your choice), but I hope it encourages you.
Rachael: What is your advice for breaking into the comic industry?
Todd: Draw everday! Draw sequential (panel to panel) pages of story. Learn how to tell a story. Take any art classes available. Learn life drawing, perpective, and design. Show 3-4 page samples to editors and pros for critiques at comic conventions. When one's art is at a professional enough level, mail in samples to the comic book companies. And most of all, have fun and draw, draw, draw!!!
Rachael: Again, thanks alot. This really is awesome.
I hope God continues to bless your work, Rachael.
Todd: Thanks, Rachael! Best of luck to you. Hope you do well on this project! Let me know how it turn out. Todd _________________________________________________________________
