(Spring 2007)

Manga and Anime Explosion: Story Development, Marketing and Adaptation (Section 1) FILMSTD 811.4  (1.5 CEU)

Discover why Shojo and Shonen manga are more successful than most western comics at putting the reader “inside the story” and thus create more audience participation. Go beyond your I-am list to enhance your character with three-dimensional qualities, incorporating facial expressiveness, body language, inner life, visual distinctiveness, effective use of dialogue. Further develop your original manga characters and stories. Discern how mangas frame actions to guide their readers eyes through each page. Clarify and strengthen your stories and exploit unexpected plot twists. Discover how to create rich, believable worlds for your readers to explore like manga-ka’s do. Navigate the many genres of manga. Find out more about how to self publish or sell your work as well as how computers are now used creating mangas. Analyze more about Japanese cultural influence on manga and its development and history. Guest speakers may include buyers/executives from top manga publishing and anime companies. Recommended prerequisite: Film Studies 811.3, Manga and Anime Explosion: What, Why, How and Wow!. Refund deadline one week prior to start date.

Northrop Davis, M.F.A., is a professional screenwriter and producer. A graduate of CalArts and Duke University, he presented "Battle Angel Alita" to 20th Century Fox, which acquired it for James Cameron. He's currently executive producing a remake of the Japanese hit TV how "Train Man" and "Berserk" manga (also screenwriter).