Bearman Charity Challenge 2013

I was reading an awesome interview over at Don’t Pick the Flowers about my pal, Bearman, and about his annual Charity Challenge.

So, there will be several mentions in this blog about things and obviously about the Charity Challenge.  I could go on and on about the details about it (we’ll let Bearman do that), but it’s best if you check it out HERE.  It won’t cost you a dime, but the goal of it is to….

Above source:  From Bearman Cartoons

Please go check it out.  And while you’re there, stay awhile and read some of his fun and amusing cartoons.  You won’t get bored.  Promise.

Again though, this post is about more.  While reading through my friend David Hurley’s Don’t Pick the Flowers (another great place to go spend some time reading the blogs and hilarious cartoons) I was reminded about how long I’ve been online and where it all started (with my online version of stuff).

Bearman mentions how it was our mutual friend George Ford of Addanac City (and yet ANOTHER great place to go read some sweet comics!) and I were some of the first people he met while launching his website.

Well, same here.

It was strange, but back in late 2007 – early 2008 – there seemed to be an influx of new and emerging web cartoonist (me included).  The newspapers were tanking, print was supposedly dying and the web seemed to be the way to go.  So, the strange part is it seems like we all kind of arrived at the same time.  And when I say ‘we’ I’m talking about people that I still keep in contact with today and that I’m familiar with.

Yes, there were several web comics before this time, but I never noticed them.  I’m not sure if a lot of the public did.  Who knows.  This seemed – at least in my opinion – to be the real dawn of online cartoons.  Again though, that’s just through my perspective.

When I first started off taking my stab at the online market, I began with a series called The Frustrated Cartoonist.  I’m talked about it several times here at Nate’s Ramblings and have put up several examples.  Basically though, my cartoon wasn’t really going anywhere and so I scratched it after about a year-and-a-half run.  It was fun and exhausting at the same time.  I set it up to become a ‘Choose your own adventure’ sorta theme where readers would take a poll on what happened to the characters, plot, etc.  Everyone had fun voting and I had fun watching.  The tricky part came AFTER the voting when I actually had to draw the thing.  I had, like –  a day to fill-in-the-blanks, if you know what I mean.  So, that along with trying to get more material “out there” was nearly impossible.  If there were two of me, I’d have The Frustrated Cartoonist still being produced today just for the fun of it.

After the end of that, I focused on working with comedian Tommy Blaze on our series, Knocking on Heaven’s Door.  I saw the big potential in that, and to this day, we’re moving along with some exciting things with the series.  More on that soon….

And with that, I then started really honing in on newspapers, MAD Magazine, clients, etc.  Basically all the work I’m doing today.

But with the web, I’ve learned a lot through the years and things have changed.  One thing is that I’m not too good at making webcomics all my own.  I had a very hard time with the website designs, layouts, promoting it, etc.  Everything was a challenge.  So, I opted for the more traditional route for the most part.  Still, to this day, I have a lot of web features from clients and other sources.  Heck, you could almost consider Break of Day a web cartoon (well, it kind of is).  It’s featured elsewhere beyond online though, so it’s not just that.  Luckily though, with Break of Day, I don’t have to do all the intricate web design and things because it’s done for me.  Whew!

That time though (back in 07 – 08) was really fun to watch all the new material arise.  I used to visit dozens of sites on a daily basis.  I actually considered myself quite involved with everyones (well, sites I was aware of) work and commented consistently and everything.  However, as time went on, I found that even that was something I just couldn’t fit the time in for.

A lot of cartoons survived since then – many have failed (including mine).  Two that were there right along with me online though were George Ford’s Addanac City and (I won’t use his real name) Beartoons.  I think we all supported each other on getting started in this new, technology driven world.  Amazing it’s been five years now.

As we all keep on trucking’ along, it’s great to meet new people as well like Don’t Pick the Flowers, David Hurley.  There are definitely more names out there as well of people that I know, but  - c’mon – I can’t mention EVERYONE (sorry, everyone).

So, back to the BIG point of a lot of this – go check out Bearman’s Charity Challenge and help empty his wallet!  It’s a simple way to help and have fun at the same time.  CLICK HERE.

Music to my ears

I’ve always been a big music lover.  I mean, who isn’t?  I think everyone has particular bands, groups or whatever that they listen to.  That being said, I’ve found myself listening to just familiar stuff that I’ve always enjoyed.  I typically put on a variety pack of The Doors, Mozart, Miles Davis, Megadeth and then wind it down with some Pink Floyd or Iggy Pop.  Anyhow, I listen to quite the array of sounds (obviously).  Again though, I find them all very familiar.  And I’m not saying that’s bad, but…..

C’mon.  Time to mix it up.

I’ve been thinking recently that I really haven’t heard any new material recently that I like.

I’ve listened to the ‘Top 40′ stations and more while in the car (which isn’t too often, but still I have a good idea of what’s out there).  Nothing is pleasing for me.  It’s not like the normal material I listen to.  I even like old school rap, but rap today seems so watered down and cheaply produced with no realistic passion involved.  And rock?  I just hear a lot of material that’s been used before being used again.  It seems like the music industry hasn’t put out anything decent in about a decade or so.  Is it just me?  I doubt that’s true.  It CAN’T be true, right?

SO -I want to change it up.  There has to be good bands out now with fresh material I’d enjoy.  I’m set out to find it.

I decided to get a subscription to Rolling Stone magazine.  I used to get it, and that’s where I got the scoop on what’s new, good and I was able to discover things.

I find that a lot of the music I like are songs that aren’t played on the radio or that nobody knows about.  RS magazine has GOT to have me covered.

Last night I read the entire issue.  Good as always – I can’t believe I STOPPED getting it. (I subscribe to quite a few print magazines and RS was always a favorite.  Not sure why I let the subscription lapse.)

And so, while working today, I’m testing some new waters.  The cover story is about Bruno Mars.  I’m giving that album a try today via Spotify.  He seems on top of the charts right now.  Gotta be good, right?  I’ll let you know.

Anyhow….

I hope there’s some really good undiscovered groups and music out there.  I haven’t lost hope.  Nothing against my normal bands I love like I mentioned above, but geesh, I gotta switch it up more.  My work requires me to listen to something (well, it doesn’t require me to, but I kind of require myself to).  I listen to music when I write, draw and have people over (sometimes I listen to Howard Stern or podcast, but generally it’s music).

Any suggestions?  Because so far, over the last decade or so, the best I’ve heard are The Wiggles.  And that’s not saying too much.

A vent season

I feel like a lot of my recent post have been just venting and rantings.  When you hear from advice columns about blogging, they always mention to write something engaging so you grow an audience.  I think mine are more disengaging than anything.  I guess I didn’t follow the advice.  No wonder I have about three readers a day (well, sometimes it goes up…..a little).

Anyhow, I pretty much opened up a blog in the first place many years ago TO vent and let out frustrations.  In fact, along with that, I used to have a series called The Frustrated Cartoonist that some of you are aware of.  So, it’s somewhat standard of me.  That being said though, I don’t like to go on benders where every post is venting, venting, venting.

SO, I thought I would stay calm and relaxed today.

This is just a random post about what’s been going on and such.  Engaging?  Doubtful.  But, here we go.

I recently (well, yesterday in fact) celebrated Break of Day’s TWO year anniversary of being in newspapers.  I remember that day well.  As other major news was also a headline, it’s pretty obvious by the front page of the newspapers that the new comics were the major news.

Above:  May 2nd, 2011.  The biggest story of the day is ‘New today in comics’

Though newspapers continue to struggle, I must admit it’s very cool being in print everyday.  I love going out and getting a newspaper and reading my work in it.  So being sentimental here, two years ago WAS a special day.  I had so much anxiety before hand like “Are they going to screw up the way my comic looks?  What if people hate it?  What if I get replaced by Peanuts?”.  At the end of the day, it all worked out well.  Break of Day is still alive and kicking and I actually hear from people that say they clip out some of the comics and hang them on the wall.  To hear that people STILL do that makes it all worthwhile.  I’m just glad they don’t use them to line their bird cage.

What was the debut comic, you’re probably wondering (okay, you’re probably not)?  Here it is:

Above:  The first Break of Day in a major newspaper

As some of you know as well, Break of Day started out in my college paper, The Guardian, in print back in 2003.  Back then it was – er, well….let’s just say a bit lackluster.  Only a bit.

Here’s an example:

Above:  An EARLY Break of Day.  (Yikes!)

I feel like I’ve come away.  Okay, looking above at that comic, I KNOW I’ve come a long way.  Yes, I have my frustrations.  Am I living in luxury?  Heck no. Each day is a struggle to find clients, create content and work my tail off (although I don’t have a tail).  BUT, there’s nothing else worth working this hard for in terms of making a living.  I’ve said it before, but I think becoming a full-time cartoonist is tougher than become an actor, sports hero or musician.  There’s a bigger market in those fields.  Cartooning is slim, narrow and tougher than rocks to get into.  But, I chose it and trying – TRYING – to live it.  Tough and wonderful – all at the same time!

Well, I think that’s it.

And hey – on the bright side – I think I’ve made it through an entire post without ranting and raving!  How about that.  Now next time, well…….

 

Maximum exposure

Here’s a scenario:

Several months ago, I had a phone conversation scheduled with a potential client.  Could have been a BIG client!  Lot’s of my work was fitting for them, they seemed really interested and everything.  So, I spent quite a bit of time preparing things and getting ready for my meeting.

I called up – we chatted.  All was going well.  They wanted some of my work.  Great!

“Now, we don’t have any money.  But, the exposure you’ll get will be great!”

Cringe.

Suffice to say, I’ve politely declined (although I was cursing in my head) and left the meeting feeling ill about how people assume I can draw so I should just work for free.  For EXPOSURE.  Well, people die from exposure (that’s an old phrase, but what the heck – I’ll use it).  I’m not ready to die.

It AMAZES me that I still get these emails phone calls from professional companies.  I really feel like speaking my mind with them, but since I’m generally pretty nice toward people, I don’t.  But really?  Exposure?  Do you give away your products for exposure?  Or your services?  I don’t walk in to get my haircut and say, “Hey, can you cut this for free?  You’ll get great exposure because I’m planning on going out on the town this weekend.  Thousands will see it!”

I would never once do anything for exposure or work for free.  The only time I would do ANYTHING for free is if it’s a gift, I think it will pay off in the long run or because I just want to and am not seeking compensation for it (for example, drawing a funny picture on a chalk board).  I’ve even had to turn down family (sorry guys, nothing personal).

Now, this is just me speaking.

BUT – I know why some of these companies and people do feel this way toward artist (that they shouldn’t pay us).  It’s because MANY will do things for peanuts.  And so they think that’s the way it is.  An example is a recent person I quoted several thousand dollars I think fainted.

Starting off, I’ll admit (this is many years ago) I tried a few things for exposure.  Big mistake, but I was a rookie.  And you know, nothing came from it.  Nothing.  But, that’s how you learn.  I didn’t know as much as I know now.  And it IS exciting if a publication or something calls you up, wants to use your work and you know you’ll have something published!  BUT, if they don’t want to pay you, well…..

The only time I’ve taken on projects with no pay is again, if I saw them taking off in the long-run.  I’ve only done this really once (I’m talking on the major level).  And actually, it paid off (still is).  But, it was a risk.

And a risk was also my syndicated material.  I didn’t get paid for Break of Day right away.  But the love of doing it and working hard to get it syndicated (and money) took time and dedication, but I believed in it so I kept at it.  Before that, I tried dozens of other comic ideas that went nowhere.  It took me over a decade to get syndicated.

The good news is that if you want a NATE FAKES brand ANYTHING – I’m the only source.  And a lot of the people that don’t charge people a lot of money or do it for free don’t do professional work.  Believe it or not, I have over a 40 hour work week and really spend time on projects.  I try to perfect them over and over.  However, many do not.  With my brand though, it’s quality will be -well – what you see.  Whether you like it or not, all I can say is I put the work in.  I make it worth the money.

Other artist as well – if you want a particular artist, you go to them.  They’ll be the ones that have THEIR brand.  You can’t get it anywhere.  So, I guess that’s good news for all of us.  That’s how professionals earn money.

And think of this as well:  I’ve always known to draw, but on top of that, I did spend tens of thousands of dollars in art school to really enhance my career.  Do you think I spent that money for exposure?  Or thinking I wouldn’t earn it back?

Now, again, all of this chat – this is me speaking.

If you’re an artist doing it for fun, or as a hobby, all the power to you.  I just get irked when people contact me still – someone who is obviously not doing this just for fun or a hobby – and want free work done for EXPOSURE.  Please.  I have plenty of exposure already.  If I want more I’ll run down the street naked.

And anyone wanting to be professional – trust me – nobody is going to see your work in a publication that didn’t pay you and be knocking on your door.  It doesn’t work that way.  If your art appears in a legit spot, chances are it’s a great company and they gave you a nice paycheck for your hard work.  Ask for what you deserve.  And if they don’t want to pay you, move on.

Again, these are all my opinions.  However, ask anyone in my field what they think and I believe you’ll get a similar response.  I’m not trying to gloat about being a BIG-TIME professional cartoonist or anything.  No, I just want what I’m worth.  I’ve worked my whole life to get to where I am, so it’s obvious that I’ll mention about how much I think my work is valued.

So, the next time I have a phone meeting with a potential client and they want my services for free, I think I’ll do more than just hang up the phone. Yell and scream?  No.  I’ll just politely ask for hundreds of dollars (or thousands, depending on the project) of their product or services so I can use it for exposure.  We’ll see if it works.

Somehow, I doubt it.

Gender and my comics

When writing a comic, there’s a lot of things to consider.  I have to decide if all that I’m trying to say is going to fit inside that tiny square of mine.  I have to think real hard if anyone – besides me – is going to laugh at it.  Also, I have to think about what gender inanimate objects are.

Weird when you think about it.  And what exactly do I mean?

Okay, well, let’s take this cartoon for example:

Now, here we have some papers having a discussion.  Plain ol’ papers.  Now, obviously, in real life, papers don’t have a gender. (Although I’ve never pulled their pants down to check.  Well, if they had pants.)  However, the one is saying, “I bet HE hangs out on a fridge.” implying that the one is a male.

Here’s another example:

Obviously the i is a boy.  More than just a vowel.

So, why is it all weird?

Well, because it is!

I really have to think twice before assigning a gender to something that wouldn’t have one if it weren’t for the comic world.  And I have to think long and hard about it or the joke will fall flat if it doesn’t work.  However, it seems to work with most of them.  That’s what’s weird:  how does it work?

I honestly don’t know – but usually it does.

Oh well.

Boy or girl, male or female – whatever.  If you see a rock that’s called a dude, a lunch box that calls herself princess or a phone charger that calls himself doctor, it might be one of my cartoons.  Not that I’m the first one to do it.  No, take a look around and I’m sure you’ll see other inanimate objects that are just clearly a certain gender (not to profile them or anything, but you know).  Any idea if those walking broomsticks in Disney’s Fantasia were chicks?  Yeah, I have no clue either.

But don’t you worry.  When you see these inanimate objects with male/female roles, chances are you’re not on an acid trip or experiencing dementia.  It might just be a Break of Day cartoon.

Caption Contest

Do YOU want your own original Break of Day cartoon of mine?  And do you want one – for free?

Well….

Now is your chance!

Just for $#%&’s and giggles, I decided to have my first-ever caption contest over at the Break of Day Facebook page.

I know, I know…many of you do not like Facebook.  However, it’s a fitting venue for such an event because people can “like” the captions and everything that are left by contestants.  I’m partially basing my judging off those, so it’s a bit vital.

So, how do you become a contestant and WIN?

I’d post all the rules here and everything, but honestly, I believe it would be much simpler if you venture over to the Break of Day Facebook page and check them out for yourself.  Nobody likes a lengthy blog anyway.

I will add that the contest runs until this Friday, so you have plenty of time.

Want to join the fun?  CLICK HERE.  And good luck!

Why, George, why?

I have a habit on just writing what is on my mind.  So, here today, we have another similar post to what I’ve recently been writing about.  Sorry (ducking).

My career.  It’s so frustrating.  Well, sometimes it is.  Like recently.

As I’ve said over and over again, I just wanted to be a newspaper cartoonist growing up.  I wanted to have my work appear in the newspaper and get a paycheck and live life as a career cartoonist.  Bada-bing.  That was it.

Obviously, it’s not an option anymore.  Okay – it’s an option for those that got into the papers before ‘the Great Demise’ of them (like pre-2007 I believe was the last time a major comic was picked up for the papers) – but for me it’s really not.  I’m in print in the Tampa Bay area everyday.  Beyond that, I have to scavenge for money from other avenues.

The frustrating issue I’m having now is my Break of Day syndicated cartoon not earning what I feel it deserves.

I feel like it’s getting better and better – even after all these years.  Yet, the better it gets, the slimmer the market gets.  So, here I have (in my opinion) a great cartoon but there’s only so much I can do with it.  That’s why I’m working on getting it into greeting cards, books, etc.  But I’m a one-man army.  I’m syndicated, but again, just mostly online.  There’s no market in the papers and it doesn’t pay good.  So, it’s like sometimes I think why get better?  But, no, I won’t try to stop improving.  That would be silly.  I feel like I’m in a good position if things do get better in the whole journalism/cartooning world.

The real kicker though (and the real frustrating part) is Break of Day is getting more exposure than ever!  Millions of people have read it – and still do.  But…..it’s been from social media – which doesn’t pay.

Several days ago I wrote how I’m trying to really get Break of Day’s Facebook page bigger and better.  It seems the only solution for getting a profit if I put out related merchandise.  I get paid from my syndicate, but it’s nothing too thrilling to talk about, to be honest.  Break of Day is a segue for other things now (like people see the feature and I get contacted for use of it with other things, clients, etc.)  It by itself doesn’t generate much income.  It’s what comes OUT of it.  And that means people need to know who creates Break of Day.

And so….

That’s what brought on my post about how to share a cartoon.  So people would know where it came from since social media is the mega-force for the gag cartoon these days.

Well, again, last Monday, actor George Takei shared another comic of mine.  And guess what?  There was no link to my page (Break of Day page).  It was an older one (comic), so it was signed ‘N. Fakes’ instead of my current ‘Nate Fakes’.  So, out of the millions that saw it, nobody has a clue who made it except colleagues and fans of mine already.  There is a copyright on it, but it’s so hard to read that it’s barely legible (which WAS my fault from back in the day for not making it bigger).  A missed opportunity to have thousands come to my page and learn the artist (me!) who created the damn thing.

Above:  The cartoon – without a source (sigh).  You can clearly see I left him one, too.

It happens to the best of us.  I see him share cartoons with NO names or anything on it, from other syndicated comics and more.  None of them have links.

What irritates me is I saw him post it on Facebook and immediately provided him a link to Break of Day in the comments section.  After several hours, I wrote him a direct message about it.  Nothing.  And I’m certain he had to have seen either my comment or post.  He always says he reads the comments.

The aftermath?

I got just 3 new fans on my page that had to struggle to find out who made it.  OH – and several people “doctoring” it to their preference.  No new clients.  No publicity.  Nothing.  Just a shared cartoon that a lot of people might assume George made himself.  Just look below at some of the crappy work some asshole  made out of my comic:

Above:  This website that is listed below is getting an email from me, by the way.

Again, there’s no rules in the book about sharing cartoons on social media.  BUT, I truly stand my my belief that if a link is provided, you should definitely use it regardless if it’s art, music, pictures, etc.  Especially for a person like me who struggles daily to build and audience and I can’t when nobody really knows who I am.  I’m sick of having my work butchered.

And people are lazy (like me) when it comes to social media.  If the web address is just typed on the comic, rarely do people bother to type it in to find it.  If there’s a link, there’s a 100% difference.  Especially with more stuff being read on mobile devices.

Augghh!  Anyway….

Well, that’s my rant for the day.  I know, again, I’ve had quite a few of these recently about sharing cartoons.  In this time though when I feel that Break of Day is growing into an even better cartoon by the day, it’s just frustrating that the potential income for it is still not there.  I have to pay the bills, and I have to have time to do the work.  If my paycheck for Break of Day doesn’t improve, well…..I’ll keep it up for the other avenues it brings.  However, the consistent quality must remain.  That’s tough when you make what I do off the feature.

Boy, I’m so envious of those gag cartoonist that “made it” as just a syndicated cartoonist and are doing okay (at least for now, unless papers disappear completely).  They either had the life, got the life…..just lucky.  Very fortunate.

Some people might think, “Well, gee, Nate – just don’t share your cartoons on social media.”  I would do that, but this day and age, it would put me at an even GREATER disadvantage.  It’s not like the days where you clipped your favorite cartoon out of the paper and hung it up for your co-workers to see.

So, George T., if you’re reading this – it’s not too late!  Source me, please!  You’ve now shared about 6 cartoons of mine (that I know of) and none with sources.  Here is your source (CLICK HERE).  Simple!  Free!  And any artist, like myself, would greatly appreciate it.   You must realize cartooning is not just a hobby of mine.  I rely on it to pay my power bill and order Domino’s pizza on occasion. People need to know where the original source of content is in order for people like me to sell a Break of Day book, card, or – whatever.

You will help keep my ranting to a minimum.

Thanks,

Nate Fakes (Source:  www.facebook.com/breakofdaycomic)