<< SET UP a Comics Workshop

TECH NOTES & OPTIONS for virtual & hybrid programs …

JUMP TO: BASIC DETAILS / LINKS for HOSTS /
School Residency / Library SRP / EXTENSIONS

Find @marekbennett on:

zoom.com
Google Hangouts
Google Meets
YouTube
The Face Book
Insta
Skype.com

BASIC PROGRAM DETAILS:

VIRTUAL SESSION PARAMETERS:

  • SUGGESTED: Tech test 1-2+ weeks before date (in case we need to address any tech issues)
  • 30-60 minutes per class
  • 1-40 students (depending partly on your group, space, & AV tech)
  • Video recording for reference & archiving.
  • Video format includes in-person students (single or multiple classrooms) & remote participants (joining actively via zoom or afterwards via video)

FOR LONGER EVENTS:

If you’re planning a multi-hour or all-day event, I recommend dividing instructional time into several shorter segments, separated by independent (or semi-independent) work time:

  • 30-45 min session (INTRO, DEMO, GUIDED ACTIVITY)
  • 30-60 min work time (offline OR + live chat/video)
  • 30-45 min session (UPDATES, FEEDBACK, NEXT STEPS…)

Links for HOSTS

BEFORE YOUR COMICS WORKSHOP

Basic media & materials to prep your students for our time together.

Comics Workshop TOOLS & MATERIALS

We can draw comics using ANY materials found around the home or classroom — But I recommend you have these useful tools & materials on hand at our event.

AFTER YOUR COMICS WORKSHOP

Share this page with students, families, & staff for follow-up activities & media!

ALSO: To get updates on upcoming projects, printables, & more:

3-5 Day School Residency

We can create comics projects around any aspect of your school curriculum, and scale them to suit your calendar needs…

In my school residencies, I emphasize:

  • Experimentation & exploration of form & content
  • Producing artwork for a reader (prioritizing clear communication!)
  • A structured “P*I.E.” process: Pencil(+Feedback)+Ink+Erase(+Publish)!

SAMPLE SCHEDULE:

DAY 1: Penciling Ideas

  • Intro to Marek + cartooning + comics
  • Format demo: draft examples w/ group input
  • Outline project goals
  • Group work time

DAY 2: Reading & Revising

  • Review project draft & goals
  • Read work from student volunteers for feedback & discussion
  • Revision & editing demo and/or inking demo
  • Group work time

DAY 3: Inking & Publishing

  • Review project draft, revision, & goals
  • Inking demo
  • Advanced topics (based on student work)
  • Finish inking
  • Share (reading, gallery, post-event anthology, &c.)

SAMPLE RESIDENCY ARCHIVES:

I can create an archive page here on my site, to keep track of materials we generate in our virtual sessions. Here are some examples from recent residencies:

Civil War History Comics @ HDMS

Environmental Science Projects w/ CLiF

Colonial New England Mini-Comics w/ CLiF

Library Summer Reading Programs

Library SRP / Single Session:

INTRO VIDEO SESSION [ZOOM] (45-60 min.)

  • Marek greets the group & introduces the day’s activities.
  • Group drawing activity.
  • Feedback & comments
  • Activity + goals for “indie work time”…

“INDIE” WORK TIME (30-120 min.)

  • Students work at their own pace.
  • Marek = available for Q+A, 1-on-1 & general instruction, etc. via chat and/or via “workalong” video)

GROUP SESSION [ZOOM] (45-60 min.)

  • Check in on activity
  • Reading & feedback for volunteer artists
  • Demo next steps & extensions
  • Ideas & resources for further work
  • Student Q+A
  • Announce extension meeting? (see below)

Library SRP / Double Session:

We can also do a Library SRP over 2 separate sessions, with self-directed work time in between:

SESSION #1 = 45-60 min [ZOOM, FaceBook Live, &c.]

  • Marek greets the group & introduces the day’s activities.
  • Group drawing activity.
  • Feedback & comments
  • Activity + goals until Session #2…

In the 1-7 days between sessions, students continue work independently at their own pace. Marek can be available for consultation via email, social media, or The Patreon.

SESSION #2 = 45-60 min [ZOOM, FaceBook Live, &c.]

  • Reading & feedback for (volunteer) artists
  • Demo next steps
  • Ideas & resources for further work…

PROGRAM EXTENSIONS:

With some events, we may be able to include an extension meeting up to a month after the event. This gives students support for continued independent work, plus further contact & feedback from Marek…

Options include:

  • Pre-meeting reminder: Students have the option to send Marek examples of what they’ve drawn since the main event.
  • ~30 min video meeting: Q&A, feedback on student work, extension activities, updates on Marek’s works in progress, links to further resources, etc.
  • Post-meeting instruction available via Marek’s Patreon.
  • Online gallery of student artwork, w/ resource links & notes from Marek!
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