When I finished the screenplay for the Snowlands animated feature film, I realized that getting it produced will take a long time.
But I was so excited about the world of Snowlands, and had so many ideas for sequels and expanding the universe, that I couldn’t just wait until it happens.
Making a graphic novel was a great project to work on in the meantime. Here’s why:
It’s a great way to sell a script
Having a completed graphic novel version of a film can drastically improve its chances of getting produced.
It’s like having the entire storyboard ready in advance. Sure, it won’t be the EXACT storyboard used for the film, but it makes it much easier for producers to imagine what the film will look like.
It’s a better to show your film potential, especially an animated film.
It’s a proof of concept
If the graphic novel sells well, it’s a great proof of concept to show that there’s interest in the story. It makes picking the film a much easier choice when there’s already an audience for it.
If the book is VERY successful, it could drastically increase the chances of it being produced. Having it out there as soon as possible is the best way to start building an audience around the franchise.
It’s a solid plan B
If all else fails, and I can’t get the film produced no matter what, I’d still have a product out there. I’d still have the Snowlands world in front of an audience, and can pivot to making a book series around it.
To me that’s still a great place to end up if I have to. I add more control to an other wise uncontrollable situation, in which I’m waiting to get picked by a distributer.
It’s fun
Working on the graphic novel have been extremely fun so far. I get to work with different artists and see my vision come to life.
It allows me to keep things in motion, rather than wait on a screenplay for an unknown amount of time.
So what now?
I hope this explains a little bit about the thought that went behind making a Snowlands graphic novel.
I realize this isn’t something all filmmakers can do for their script, but if you have the means or the talent, I suggest at least considering making a graphic novel version of your screenplay, if you’re simply waiting for it to get produced.
