Comics are a unique medium combining all manner of visual and textual resources to tell exciting stories. In this course, we learn how to employ these resources in order to enhance skills in story‑telling and in visual dramaturgy. The focus is on the development of individual comics, with the aid of theory, practical exercises and feedback. We will examine comics from various epochs and genres, in order to become familiar with and understand formal tools of the medium in its manifold forms. Our examination will include analysis of mainstream, indie and underground examples.
In practical application, students' own concepts will be developed, using the three-act structure and alternative narrative models. In addition, we will use indispensable pillars of story-telling, such as character design, tension build-up, punch lines and escalation, visual atmosphere, layout, lettering and much more.
This two-week course is aimed at interested comic artists and story-tellers.
key data
- Venue
- Hohensalzburg Fortress
- Date
- 4. – 16. 8. 25
- Teaching language
- English (German possible)
- Participation fee
- 670 Euro (reduced 495 Euro)
- Requirements
- None
- What to bring
- Drawing materials, pens, paper
- Maximum number of participants
- 20
Elizabeth Pich
Elizabeth Pich is a German-American comics author. Her comic series Fungirl and War and Peas provide weekly entertainment for millions of readers worldwide. Her books are published in English, French, Italian, Spanish and German, and her clients include Bloomberg, New York Times, Square Enix and Hallmark. Her current book Fungirl was published in March 2024 in German by Edition Moderne. Fungirl was nominated for Prix Bédelys, the 2023 Lucca Comic Award and the 2024 Max und Moritz Prize. Pich lives and works in Saarbrücken (DE).
Website
Publications
Fungirl
Publisher's text Edition Moderne:
‘Elizabeth Pich's character Fungirl is one thing above all: unpredictable.
Fungirl is a young woman with no prospects who spends her days at home masturbating, eating take-away pizza and watching old sitcoms. She runs from one affair to the next and is uninhibited and extreme in everything she does. Her new job at a funeral parlour brings new chaos - her life is a series of absurd, politically incorrect, slapstick situations. With Becky, her flatmate and ex-girlfriend, and Becky's friend Peter, Fungirl experiences bizarre adventures full of alcohol, sex and humour. Their behaviour is inappropriate, vulgar, opportunistic and yet (or precisely because of this) surprisingly human and charming. An ode to screw-ups with a heart of gold.’
