THE CAROONIST 12
nzcc po box 13335 christchurch new zealand
Cartoonland News-The final round of the Black River Digital e-group's ERIC Awards were held last month. The awards caused some heated debated in the group and not all categories produced winners, but for the inaugural ERICs, it didn't go too badly. There is no physical trophy given to the winners this year, but if anyone has any suggestions for a statuette design or wishes to sponsor a prize for next year do not hesitate to contact the BRD group or us here at the NZCC. One suggestion for a prize for the winners was the sundial watches that were released with the 1970's classic NZ comic Captain Sunshine. If anyone has one or know where to get any, please contact the NZCC [email protected]
Results (nominations in The Cartoonist #11)-
1: BEST NZ COMIC OF 2000: a clear winner... World without Gravity: The Last Day on Earth, by Brendan Philip
2. BEST COMIC RELATED WEB SITE: Big spread of votes but we have a winner by one vote: Dylan Horrocks' www.hicksville.co.nz
4. BEST SHORT PIECE IN AN ANTHOLOGY: another good spread of votes, but Brendan Philips Colour Field Theory attracted the most votes.
5. BEST SERIALISED STORY IN AN ONGOING TITLE: pretty much a landslide victory... James Merritt's ongoing Disgraceland saga.
6. BEST STRIP: a winner by a big margin... Connie Radar by Karl Wills
7. BEST JOURNALISTIC COVERAGE OF NZ COMICS: no clear winner, a tie between The Cartoonist and Tim Bollinger's Pavement column.
12. HALL OF FAME: very close with all nominations, but top three are... Barry Linton Eric Resitar, Corelius Stone
14. BEST ARTIST AWARD: regardless of Dylan Horrocks not producing any comics in NZ in 2000, he is by far the most popular choice.
15: BEST WRITER AWARD: much closer but Dylan takes it again in a photo finish.
Our congratulations to all the winners,
The Qantas Media Awards were also held recently. Best Editorial Cartoonist in New Zealand for 2001 (as voted by British judges from supplied samples) was someone, and if I could find out who, I'd put their name right about......here.
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here are A COUPLE OF Russian CARTOONING COMPETITIONS JUST IN OFF THE INTERNET...
"The World against drugs"
ALIVE! CAREFULLY! THE MORTAL DANGER! ABSOLUTE EVIL HAS GAPED MOUTH. DRUG ADDICTION IS READY TO SWALLOW YOU. DRUG ADDICTION IS READY TO ABSORB OUR WORLD. NEW GENERATION - THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD IS IN DANGER!
IF YOU CAN SAY YOUR OWN WORD, VOTE FOR THE WORLD WITHOUT NARCOTICS. YOUR WORD, YOUR POSITION - IS YOUR WORK, YOUR DRAWING, YOUR CARICATURE, SENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL CONTEST "WORLD AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION "WE ARE CALLING FOR ALL ARTISTS OF THE WORLD TO STAND IN FIRST ROWS OF FIGHTERS WITH THIS TROUBLE! VOTE AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION, FOR ART, FOR BEAUTY, FOR LOVE, FOR LIFE! LET'S CREATE BRIGHT IMAGES, SHARP SUBJECTS, IMPRESSING DRAWINGS AND INSERT OUR "COMBAT PENCIL" INTO THE MOUTH OF ABSOLUTE EVIL!
Your works can be of any form: cartoon, caricature, comics, satirical
poster and so on.
(All entries must be in a humorous or satirical manner and deal with the subject of drugs, which can be interpreted not only as negative treatment to narcotics and drug addictions, but as merry and funny works promoting a sound lifestyle).
Works sent to the contest must not contain hidden endorsements of narcotics or depict enjoyment in the use of narcotics.
The Contest has two age categories:
1st category - children / under 16 years
2nd category - adults / 16 years and older
DEADLINE 15.10.2001
monochrome or colour, size 20x30 cm to 30x40 cm, not more than 5 works from one entrant. the works must be signed on the back side as follows:name and surname, address, year of birth. Please attach a picture of the artist and a short creative biography.
send to:
International contest of cartoon &
satirical graphics"World against drugs"
Russia, Tatarstan Republic, 420141,Kazan, P/box 168.
E-mail: sabantuy @rambler.ru.
Works sent to the contest remain in the caricature museum of "SABANTUY"- club.
Participation in the contest is considered consent by the author with the conditions of the contest.
PRIZES:The Winners of the contest will be decided by a jury consisting of artists and other specialists. The decision of the jury is irrevocable.
Winners of contest will be awarded with the following prizes:
1th category / children /
Grand Prize - medal and 5 000 roubles
1st place medal and 3000 roubles
2nd place medal and 2000 roubles
3rd place - medal and 1000 roubles
2nd category / adults /
Grand Prize - medal and US$1000
1st place - medal and US$300
2nd place - medal and US$200
3rd place - medal and US$100
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"CINEMALIVE 200!-200?"
REGULATIONS.
1. International exhibition "CINEMALIVE 200!-200?" is an open competition.
2. Objects, persons and events connected with the theme of the cinema should be represented in humorous way.
3. The entries may be done in any technique.
4. Dimensions are A4 210x297 (without frames).
5. Name and address of the participant must be added at the back of each drawing.
6. No more than 3 entries from each participant.
7. By participating, the cartoonist has the right to publish the entries in the press.
8. The entries should be reliably packed to avoid damages. Please send your entries not later than 15 September 2001 to the following address:
International exhibition
"CINEMALIVE 200!-200?"
Russia, Tatarstan Republic,
420141,Kazan, P/box 168.
9. Works sent on contest remain in the caricature museum of "SABANTUY"- club.
I0. Awards. The entries presented in the exhibition will be judged by jury.
11. There are the following prizes:
First Prize and money prize;
Second Prize and money prize;
Third Prize and money prize;
Special prizes. The jury's resolutions are considered to be final.
The opening of the exhibition and the distribution of the prizes will lake place in October during Kaman exhibition "CINEMA LIVE 200!-200?".
Sending the entries to the exhibition the participant agrees to accept conditions of the present regulations.
Please inform your friends of our competition. Our organisation committee wishes you every success!
ATTENTION! DEADLINE 15.09.2001
The free comic 'Holy Cow' reviewed in the last issue of The Cartoonist is available from S.A.F.E. (Save Animals From Exploitation. PO Box 13366. Christchurch.
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NZ Cartoonist's CONFERENCE 2001
Tony Scott attended the NZ Cartoon Archive Trust's Cartoonist Conference last month and gives us his report, Scotty is the cartoonist for the New Zealand Fire Service's magazine STAR and has recently landed a job doing regular cartoons in an accounting magazine. You can see some of Tony's cartoons at his website: www.scottart.com
On the 21st and the 22nd June the NZ cartoon Archive trust held a conference in Wellington for published cartoonists. This was the first of it's kind in this country, and hopefully not the last.
Cartoonists attending were Garrick Tremaine, Malcolm Evans, Malcolm Walker, David Fletcher, Jim Hubbard, Al Nisbet, Tom Scott, Peter Bromhead, Bob Brockie, Paul Ekkers, LoreNZo and Chris Slaine, oh yeah and me. There were also some guests from Australia, Alan Moir (Ex Kiwi), Rod Emerson and cartoonist editor Lindsay Foyle.
The conference started with a talk by Lindsay Foyle and Rod Emerson, the current President of the Australian Black and White Artist Club. They talked about Cartooning in Australia and the world of syndication.
Two of the events that were open to the public were a talk by Alan Moir about the history of cartooning in Australia and his experiences there, and The Business of Being a Cartoonist which was intended as a talk for aspiring cartoonists and young people but the audience consisted more of older folk, mostly followers of the cartoonists talking I think. This talk was given by Garrick Tremaine, Malcolm Walker, David Fletcher, Malcolm Evans and Tom Scott. They each had about Twenty minutes. Each talked about what they had done or where they were from and what they did outside of cartooning. No one mentioned anything about giving up in the near future!
The cartoonists only discussions had talks on different subjects, such as Bob Brockie on Caricaturing, and Sir Geoffrey Palmer on libel laws with very good question and answer sessions afterwards.
One interesting discussion was about the amount of cartoon content in the newspapers. It seems the papers are feeling the competition from the Internet. One way suggested to fight this was to increase their cartoon content. The New Zealand Herald said it would like to, but I think at the end of the day the advertising might hold the cartoons out for a little longer. The Dominion felt they had their cartoon content just right at the moment, And didn't see a reason to increase their cartoon content for the time being.
Of course the main event was the dinner where we all got to talk and meet one another on a more informal setting. This was held at the Backbenchers Pub. It was a great evening and well enjoyed by all.
One thing notable about the cartoonists attending the conference, was most did other things besides just cartooning, for example Garrick Tremaine paints each day and sells his paintings in his gallery. Malcolm Walker is an architect and only draws cartoons on Thursdays and Fridays. Some of the others work other than cartooning for the newspapers. Malcolm Evans spends most of his time drawing the cartoons for the Herald, although finding time to a array of other projects. David Fletcher said that he is basically full time with all the strips and panels he does for the various papers and things here in NZ and abroad.
One of the funniest things for me was when Bob Brockie gave his talk on Caricature. He spoke of the time when he drew Sir Geoffrey Palmer as an Easter Island statue because of his long face, then in Sir Geoffrey Palmer's talk on libel the next day he mentioned how someone once drew him as an Easter Island statue.
All in all, it was great that we all were able to get together and meet each other. A lot of the cartoonists already knew watch other, but there were a few new faces. It is uncertain where the convention will go from here, whether it will be yearly or if it will be a different format like the Australian Black and white Artists club.
Just one final note, a huge thanks to Ian Grant and his staff for putting together a very enjoyable two days.
............INKSPOT.............
The Australian Black and White Artists Club want to know if anyone wants to receive their Inkspot newsletter via E mail. It is on PDF format so you would need 'Acrobat Reader' to view it. Contact Peter Broelman on [email protected]
Swings & Roundabouts
An Interview with Cornelius Stone
Where did you get the idea for 'Roundabout' -as a co-op comic?
It's an idea I've had for some time, and there has never been a more cogent time than now, I don't have the capital to put into it myself.
What is the significance of the name 'Roundabout'?
There is none, I could have called it 'Razor' #12, but I thought, new century, new paradime. The name itself is a name of a bank account my flatmate and I have for poetry gigs, sort of a generic name. So, I thought it's there..., the bank account is already set up in that name, so I used that.
Is there a general theme with the artwork? I mean is it all going to have a certain political leaning like 'Loose'?
No, not at this stage. I expect there will be a variety of content. It might develop it's own character as it goes, I don't know. It's the calibre of artwork I'm concerned with, I'm not lobbying for anything.
What artists do you have on board at the moment?
Well the feature artist is Roger Langridge with 20 pages. He had this story which he was having trouble getting printed in England, and he kindly sent it to me along with $400. There is also Indira Neville , Stefan Neville, Steven Jewel, Paul Rogers, Matt Tait, and Toby Morris so far. As well as the one 20 page story, there are a few 5 page ones, some single pages and some strips of my own.
So it's filling up nicely?
It's coming together, a very natural progression.
When do you hope to get it printed?
We hope to have it ready for the next Auckland Armageddon.
I understand it's going to be A4 and in black and white, how many do you intend to print?
Oh about 500, that's what we used to print with Razor.
How were your earlier anthologies received, did they sell well?
Yes they did, they went quite well. I have no back issues of 'Family Of Sex' or 'UFO's left and only a few issues of 'Razor'. It became a lifestyle, and I thought I'd like to put out another one.
Do you think there is a demand for New Zealand made comics in New Zealand?
Unless it's very professionally done, like Ant Sang's 'Dharma Punks' they will probably end up gathering dust- the photocopy jobs.
Is 'Roundabout a one-off?
Hopefully people will reinvest for a second issue.
What other projects are you working on at the moment?
I've got a trade paperback of the Associates called 'The Associates Themselves' coming out soon. It's published by Antipodes Publishing and distributed by Diamond. I'm writing it and Craig Peterson, Ant Sang, and James Merritt are doing the artwork.
There's also a new 'Knuckles the Malevolent Nun' collection, I've written 10 pages of bridging comix which Roger Langridge has drawn.
For more info on Roundabout or other publications mentioned in this interview contact Cornelius at [email protected]
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PROMOTIONf SPIN fHYPE ADVERTISINGf THE GOOD OIL
Drawing your cartoons or comix is only half the battle, you've got to get them 'out there' . Ant Sang gives us an insight into his efforts to promote...
The Dharma Punks
I've been working on that for The Dharma Punks - making a big effort to appeal to the 'non-comic fans' as it were. Getting distribution through a distributor is definitely good, though it'll be a few weeks yet before I know how many comics were sold at the book/magazine/newsagents through the distributor. I'm with Independent Magazine Distributors, and they've been bloody friendly, helpful, and keen (especially seeing as it's comics we're dealing with!). They're based in Auckland, so I don't know how that affects you, being in Wellington and all.
Doing the media rounds is also good. I got myself on Space (TV2), and despite the criticisms about the show, it did do it's job of interesting folk enough into tracking down and buying copies. Did an interview on BFM as well. Pavement ran an article, as did The Fix (Auckland's The Package), and The Herald ran a small plug for it too. Oh yeah, and Kerry did a nice review for The Package just the other week. Shane from Graphic emailed me the other day and said that lots of people had been coming in after The Package review and were asking about the comic, and Alan from Comics Compulsion said people they've never seen before have been coming in and looking for copies, so yeah, publicity definitely works a treat. Before doing all of this, I'd read a lot of crass 'how to write press releases' -type books, and to be honest I haven't done any of it. I've just approached people in a low-key way, sent out stuff. People have been interested because comics is something they don't see very often. The obscurity of local comics has worked in its own favour, in that people see it as novel, new, quirky, different etc etc.
I also held an exhibition at a gallery in K'Rd (which is very much a 'bohemian/fringe' area of Auckland). I'd definitely recommend it. It got good interest from folk who don't usually venture into comic shops, and it was fun as well. So anyway that's been my gameplan so far. It's all been a
bit of an experiment so far, just to see what kind of response I can get out
of the masses, and the experiment is an on-going thing as you might well guess.
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No winners this issue for our regular NEW CARTOONIST competition, sponsored by the New Zealand Institute of Business Studies as once again we have received no entries!
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Our regular comic strips NICK HOON and EELMAN are moving to our other publication ROGUE, which is published quarterly. It is available from PO Box 13335 Christchurch
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3 news pieces from planet toby
I hesitate to blow my own trumpet, but here are three things that may be of interest...
1. Chicken is Champ #5 is almost finished, and it's going to be a real extravaganza. Its 40 pages (the others have been 24) and features a
linocut-on-material-sewn-onto-card cover, and will come packaged (I think, at this stage) in a plastic zip-lock bag along with a poster, a small children's book and some other assorted junk. The work in it is stuff I'm really proud of: I've been getting some great feedback about my salient strip this year ('Dreamboat Dreamboat'), and the rest of it is, if I may say
so, a notch above anything I've done before. It should be finished by the Wellington Armageddon in September, but if anyone wants to order one now, you know the drill.
My address is PO Box 11200, Wellington
2. My website, likewise, is almost finished (only the 'writing' page to do- but that'll go up on Saturday). I have a good friend who is a professional web-designer, so she's done all the tech stuff, and yous fullas have probably seen most of the stuff already- but if you want to check it out its at...... http://www.redkids.co.nz/dod/
3. Now: Thirdly and most importantly- some good news for all of us. I got a letter in the mail today from creativeNZ- my application for a grant to fund the first issue of 'Officer Pup' has been approved!
As I've probably said before, issue 1 is pretty much all wrapped up (I'm chasing up a few slackers), so all I need to sort out now is the business end of things and we're away! I've got to work on marketing and distribution strategies- so if anyone has any ideas I'd appreciate hearing them.
If anyone has missed it- 'Pup' is an anthology/gazette that I want to get rolling (I should say now WILL get rolling) that promotes and critiques the very best of what's going on- getting into it should, ideally, give us all something to work on, and also will provide, I hope, provide a pretty attractive 'on-ramp' for those who have yet to experience NZ comics- spreading the word about what we do- so it's important that it gets sold in places that people wouldn't normally encounter comics- which is would I'm looking for more ideas on. Again, if anyone wants to know more, or has suggestions I'd love to hear from you.
Contributors to Officer Pup #1: Roger Langridge, Dylan Horrocks, Martin Molloy, Toby Morris, Karl Wills, Jared Lane, Stefan Neville and Clayton Noone, James Merritt, Glen Stewart, Tim Molloy, The Sheehan Brothers, Lars Cawley, Tony Scanlon, Debra Boyask, Kerry Ann Lee, Andy Conlan and Tim Bollinger.) ......Toby Morris
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COMIX Vs CARTOONS
Last month Aucklanders were treated to a rare debate with political cartoonists Peter Bromhead, and Malcolm Evans, up against small press comix creator Sophie McMillan, The debate was chaired by Dylan Horrocks. Soon after the event Sophie McMillan had this to say...
The questions weren't actually all that bad, in fact potentially interesting. Dylan Horrocks had a quote (re comics vs art etc) which he read to me over the phone and which I absolutely misunderstood, preparing myself for a hearty rant which never eventuated as when the quote was repeated to me in the midst of the panel, I found I agreed with every word. This was, needless to say, extremely disconcerting as all my pre-formulated vitriol was suddenly rendered completely useless!
Struck dumb by my own agreeableness I managed to mumble something which inadvertently registered with all present as some sort of anti-intellectual-art-wankery joke although it was absolutely not intended this way as I'm actually fondly indulgent of that kind of thing.
....By this point any chance of an intelligent discussion was quite beyond my grasp as a sort of ultra-banal panic had taken hold of me (especially as the conversation teetered on the brink of the old 'what is painting?" line of questioning and I began to blurt out all kinds of old fashioned nonsense about "comics as writing" that I neither intended to talk about nor entirely believe.
....All those sad blank eyes staring up at you with a mixture of confoundment and itchy disinterest.. "What's all this comic book bullshit!? I came here to see Bromhead Lambasting about "The Terror Of Deadlines" and couldn't she speak a little more clearly!"
Lars Cawley (Check The Blinker) was in the audience...
I studied the Auckland Harbour 14th story view while keeping an ear on proceedings. The comix members were ill at ease and the cartoonists too complacent, adding up to little fun and no excitement. The last question came in the form of a weak joke allegedly told to an audience member by the Dalai Llama, it was a low point and an appropriate, if depressing, end.
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New To Cartooning
Remember our 'New Cartoonist' Competition sponsored by the NZIBS (ph 0800 801 994)
send us your comic strip or cartoon, to be in to win a $55 cartooning materials package. Send (copies only) to NZCC PO Box 13335 Christchurch
Interview With Dave Fletcher
How long have you been cartooning?
I began cartooning professionally in 1979, 23 years ago.
What strips have you done over the years?
Daily strips I've done are Grasp & Co. and The Politician. Weekly strips are Crumb, Smartypants, TV Watch, Fletcher's Travels, Tough at the Top, It's a Fact, Beehive Boys and TV Kids.
What newspapers does 'The Politician' run in?
The NZ Herald, Dominion, Southland Times, Hawke's Bay Today, Adelaide Advertiser in Australia plus papers in Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Africa and six UK Web sites.
Do you do your own syndication or do you have an agent?
I handle my own syndication within New Zealand but I have an agent in the UK and one in Australia to handle overseas syndication.
Has 'The Politician' been released in book form, or are there any plans for such a release in the future? A book of The Politician strips was produced when the strip first started in the Sunday Times as a weekly strip, but nothing since.
How well did the 'Grasp and Co' book sell?
The first book sold about 3000 copies, Grasp & Co. No. 2 sold about the same number.
What sort of feedback do you get from the public?
Quite a lot of people buy the originals, and I get the occasional complimentary letter.
Is 'The Politician' based on current political activities?
Yes, I put my character in what ever political turmoil is currently taking place.
Do you use your strip to criticise politicians or simply to entertain?
Mostly to entertain although I have an occasional dig from time to time.
Have you done single panel cartoons or editorial cartoons?
Fletcher's Travels, Tough at the Top, and the single column gag cartoons I do in
the Truth are or were single panel cartoons. I've done editorial cartoons for the N Z Herald from time to time, usually covering for Malcolm Evans when he's been on holiday.
Are there any new strips planned?
I'm just about to launch a new daily strip about kids at a kindergarten , called Kindy Days.