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This course is for anyone who tells stories with pictures. We begin with the old wisdom about what makes a character interesting and a story worth telling, then we get into how to compose and arrange pictures to make a story emotionally powerful. Whether you are designing shots for a film, pages for a children's book, or panels for a graphic novel, you have two problems: making the story clear, and bringing it to life. We will study how great masters of pictorial storytelling use their craft to move an audience's emotions.
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Character Development:
Types, Casting, Complexity & Transitions
Story Development:
Structure, Unity, Reversals, Tension & Timing
Shot Design:
Camera, Image, Shot Structure, Clarity & Impact.
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I've taught this course over thirty times at Laguna College of Art & Design and Cal State Fullerton. It is always impacted and takes fifteen weeks of instruction. This is a boiled-down version of the course for professionals and beginners. The sessions will be packed with instruction, so be prepared to learn.
The first sessions are a concentrated, foundational course on storytelling. The final sessions are a concentrated course in sequential shot design. I will explain some differences between various media, such as illustrated books, graphic novels, comic strips and films, but I will emphasize the fundamental discipline behind them all: how to tell the story with pictures, not words.
This is not a university curriculum course and you will not receive college credit for it.
Some classes sell out. To reserve a seat, you must pay in advance. See the Schedule page for more information including dates and locations.
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Below are a few books related to this subject that I have found useful. To read my reviews on these, please click here.
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Comments from past attendees:
"...the most valuable class I've ever taken."
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—Rad Sechrist,
Writer/Artist for
FLIGHT, Issues #1-4
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"I cannot begin to describe the ways in which your class changed the way I design and tell stories. I believe the reason Fullerton has a reputation of producing good solid storytellers is because of what students learn in your class. Long story short: thank you."
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"I feel like out of my whole education that I benefited most from you. With every [Sequential Art] class, I felt I received a wealth of knowledge, and wanted to learn more."
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When I took the Sequential Art class I realized that you really have a grasp on something... your willingness to pour yourself into a subject - not just absorbing it for your own benefit but thinking about how to translate it. You are one of the best teachers I have ever had. We students have a unique treasure in you."
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—John Donahue
Concept Artist for
Pirates of the Caribbean
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I have you to thank for being an inspiration to my work, and I must have told you this a million times, that your anatomy workshop and sequential class are the only few things I remember and actually use at work."
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—Mary Orario
Animator for The Simpsons
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We really enjoyed the workshop. It went by so fast! Great input as always. You gave us a lot to think about and to be aware of."
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I just want to tell to you how much I have enjoyed your Sequential Art Class. I am doing my master's degree in graphic design and I had to ask myself what this class would do for me.... Well, I've learned so much - I see my graphic design work in different ways and different perspectives. I am so glad that I didn't limit myself. THANK YOU."
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Thank you for the Sequential Class. By far, it was the most informative class i've ever taken. You are an amazing instructor, and a fountain of knowledge."
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"Thank you for being the most influential teacher I have ever had. I hope you keep teaching story and visual metaphor. I'm sure you'd rather be painting or drawing, but you have a gift. You have the ability to articulate and make clear the principles that are so important to the craft. Not very many people are able to do it in a way that is challenging and inspiring."
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—Kari Stringham
USC Graduate Student in Film
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