This summer, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP) teamed up with Geoff Munn from Incubator Productions to put on the Publish This! Summer Labs Intensive. As the team from CLP prepared for the 2024 program, the professionalism and communication with Geoff and Isaac Fisher set a solid foundation for success. Geoff's approach with the teenagers was particularly commendable—he took time to learn each participant’s name and interests, creating a balance between fun and focused work. His dedication ensured that every student finished the program with a complete comic concept.
Read below to learn more about our 2024 Summer Teen Intensive Experience.
Returning Participants Step Up
2024 saw the return of several teens from previous workshops. These participants showed significant growth, not just in their comic-creation skills but also in their leadership abilities. Rather than dominating the newer participants, they offered guidance and support, fostering an environment of mutual respect. This peer-led leadership was a highlight of the workshop, demonstrating that even in a creative, project-based environment, teamwork and collaboration are key.
The Creative Process in Action
The workshop was structured to help students develop a full comic concept over the course of three days and pitch it in a final presentation. Despite some challenges—such as transportation issues—all participants worked diligently to complete their projects. By the end of the program, each group had developed a comic book pitch package, which included character designs, storyline ideas, a cover illustration, and initial panel drafts.
One group of participants stood out for their determination and persistence. Even after the workshop ended, this group continued to meet and refine their comic. Their dedication resulted in the completion of a draft fight scene that used inventive panel shapes to enhance the narrative. This work was not only creative but demonstrated an application of problem-solving and critical thinking, two key PA State Board of Education standards.
What Students Learned
Throughout the workshop, participants honed a variety of skills that align with the PA State Board of Education standards:
Application of Problem-Solving Skills: The teens tackled complex storylines, adapting when team members were absent and refining their ideas to meet the deadline.
Application of Technical Skills: Many students experimented with new media, including digital drawing and PDF assembly, gaining hands-on experience in comic production.
Teamwork and Leadership: Participants worked in groups, learning how to lead without dominating and how to contribute in meaningful ways.
Verbal and Nonverbal Communication: Through their presentations, the teens developed their public speaking and interpersonal communication skills, preparing them for real-world creative projects.
And many more including:
Technology and Publication
Writing for different purposes
Evaluate the impact of technology and justify the use or nonuse of it
Comprehension and application of the Creative Process
Presentation and listening skills
Reading Informational Text
Conducting Research
Career Awareness and Prep
Challenges Faced
While the program was successful, there were a few challenges. The time constraints of a three-day program made it difficult for some teams to complete their projects to the desired level. Additionally, one participant with visual impairments required extra guidance, which highlighted the need for more tailored support in future workshops.
Another challenge was the digital aspect of the final day. The teens struggled to assemble their comics into PDFs, a task that combines both technical skill and an understanding of publishing standards. Despite these hurdles, every participant contributed to the final presentations, showcasing both their physical comic materials and digital work.
Recommendations for Future Workshops
To address the challenges, we recommend making some changes for future Teen Intensive Workshops in this model:
Extended Workshop Duration: Adding an additional day, specifically focused on the technical aspect of assembling the comic into a PDF format, would allow students more time to perfect their final pitch packages. This would give them the confidence to complete their projects and ensure that every comic is ready for submission.
Smaller Teams with Dedicated Adult Support: Keeping teams small, with a maximum of five participants per team, ensures that every student receives the individualized attention they need. Adding an additional creative professional to oversee larger groups of 15 or more would provide more support and guidance.
Conclusion
Overall, the 2024 comic creation workshop was a success. The participants not only created original comics but also learned valuable skills in problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. These experiences align with the PA State Board of Education standards, preparing teens for future creative and professional endeavors. With a few adjustments, such as extending the workshop duration and increasing support for the technical aspects of the projects, we are confident that next year’s program will be even more impactful.
Additional Fun
View a Copy of the Pitch Package Playbook that students used to complete this workshop! Created by Isaac Fisher with Illustrations by Geoff Munn
Interested in booking a Comics Workshop with Incubator Productions?
Visit this link to learn more about our Educational Offerings.
View the Teen Pitch Packages here!
(We're still wrangling the .pdfs from the students, but they will be linked here for your enjoyment!)
WR 1 - Coming Soon
WR 2 - Coming Soon
HD 1 - Coming Soon
HD 2 - Coming Soon
HD1 2023 - Coming Soon
HD2 2023 - Coming Soon
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