I usually start with a history of the character, then go into how I create a story--from the initial idea, to outlines, thumbnails, pencils, lettering and inks, then how it is printed. I do drawings all the way through, even drawing a quick story page. I encourage questions. This way, I can gauge where the audience's interests lie. Probably the most asked questions are: "Why a rabbit?" and "Where do you get your ideas?" If they are interested in art, I show them how to use basic shapes to start off a drawing. Most times, I finish the presentation with a video of Usagi in animation-- from the primitive 16 bit Commodore computer game to his various TMNT appearances, to the Space Usagi and UY CGI presentation clips, and to the TMNT Playstation game. I have given these presentations to preschoolers (about 4 years old), to colleges, to adult groups.Fanfan wrote:
That is really great that you come see children in schools !
What do they usually ask you ? do you give a drawing lesson ?
I hope you will come in France in 2006 , i will try to go to Angouleme...
However, I'm not as generous with my time as you may think. I do a few free presentations for friends, but I charge a fee for most of them. After all, it is work for me to do them, but it's not work that gets me closer to meeting a deadline. When I travel as a convention guest, the con pays travel and accommodations. Sometimes they will go beyond that. When I was a guest at Anthrocon, they invited my entire family, picked us up in a stretch limo, gave us a three room suite, covered all our meals, rented us a car, and provided us with many other treats. Anime North also invited all of us and gave us a car rental. I really like those conventions that invite other family members.
I was at Angouleme this past January. I will not be going back to France in the near future, though I would like to. Paris is one of my very favorite cities, and I would like to visit Mont St Michel and Normandy.
