Dated: 23 June 2007
Comics Publishing Forum 2007 offers aspiring potential comic book creators invaluable exposure and networking opportunities
The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) today organised a Masterclass - Comics Publishing Forum 2007 – to nurture aspiring talents in comic book development.
Worldwide, comics and graphic novels publishing has seen a surge in recent years -- with escalating sales and the successful transition of titles adapted into movies, animation, and games, with strong licensing and merchandising opportunities. In the US alone, sales of CGN reached US$640 million in 2006, jumping four-fold from 2001.
Said Mr Seto Lok Yin, MDA’s Assistant Chief Executive (Industry Development), “The global popularity and easily availability of Manga and anime almost everywhere - online, in bookshops and discussion forums - is fuelling the growth of the local comics industry. This has in turn sparked off a demand for original, made-by-Singapore comics and graphic novels titles and storylines. To catalyse the creation of local intellectual property in this genre, MDA has developed a multi-prong approach, using a combination of talent identification, funding as well as the transfer of knowledge from international experts.”
Today’s Masterclass featured five speakers from industry leaders such as TOKYOPOP, the largest Manga publisher in the US and Diamond Book Distributor, the world’s largest distributor of English-language comic books, as well as Singapore’s leading comic artists.
“The Masterclass provided participants who have a serious interest in comic book development with the opportunity to learn and exchange ideas with leading figures in the field. MDA hopes that these efforts will spark off our very own made-by-Singapore comics and graphic novels that can be marketed worldwide,” continued Mr Seto.
The forum speakers also covered key fundamental aspects in comic book development and included a workshop on the techniques of sequential art story-telling. Participants gained gain expert insights into what makes a good and marketable graphic novel as the forum speakers touched on the finer points of comic illustration and how to develop a compelling storyline;as well as strategies for marketing, distribution and breaking into foreign markets.
The Comics Publishing Forum 2007 is held in conjunction with the First Time Writers and Illustrators Publishing Initiative that aims to nurture aspiring local writers and illustrators, and develop fresh talents for the publishing industry. The Initiative was launched last year by MDA, in collaboration with the National Book Development Council of Singapore.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Lynda Kang
Manager, Communications
Media Development Authority
Tel. : +65 6837 9894
Email :
lynda_kang@imda.gov.sg
Sharanjit Kaur (Ms)
Senior Manager, Communications
Media Development Authority
Tel. : +65 6837 9365
Email :
sharanjit_kaur@imda.gov.sg
About First-Time Writers &Illustrators Publishing Initiative
The “First-Time Writers &Illustrators Publishing Initiative” is an initiative from the Media Development Authority (MDA) and the National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS) launched in November 2006 to nurture talents in the publishing industry. Its objective is to assist in the publication of new works by unpublished local writers and / or illustrators.
In 2006, MDA added the comics and graphic novels category to the second edition of the First-Time Writers &Illustrators Publishing Initiative. MDA is heartened by the high quality of submissions received from the competition held from December 2006 to March 2007. Aspiring comic artists were invited to submit proposals for the $8,000 publishing grant. Out of a field of 58 submissions, 10 applicants have been selected and are now in the process of developing their first graphic novel.
About the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA)
The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) was formed on 1 January 2003 to champion Media 21, a blueprint to transform Singapore into a global media city. Media 21 seeks to create a vibrant media environment by establishing Singapore as a media exchange, exporting Made-by-Singapore content, internationalising local media companies, nurturing local media talent and developing digital media. More information on MDA can be found on
www.mda.gov.sg.
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