Posted in: Comics | Tagged: apprecticeship, Comics, internship, sean gordon murphy

The Sean Gordon Murphy Apprentice Scheme Is…. Rather Popular

Published Thu, 03 Oct 2013 09:00:27 -0500

A couple of months ago, the fabulously talented writer/artist Sean Gordon Murphy stated that he was considering an apprenticeship/internship scheme. He wrote;

I'm thinking about taking on some students for a two week "boot camp" course in comics–based off the classic master/apprentice style of education. But before I move forward with the idea (and begin Kickstarting), I wanted to get your feedback and see if anyone is interested in enrolling this winter. Please pass this along (Twitter/facebook) to anyone you think might be interested.

I'm going to write an anthology that the students and I will publish after the apprenticeship is over. For the two weeks, I'll be walking the students through the entire comic book process: character designs, storytelling, layouts, perspective, how to draw tech, penciling, inking, etc. We'll be helping each other with critique sessions, group brainstorming, and taking photo references. Not only will we be drawing together, we'll also have discussion about the business side of comics: contracts, negotiating, branding, and other tricks on how to successfully manage a career.

Not only will the published anthology be used to fulfill Kickstarter incentives, the students will also be able to sell the anthology themselves at future conventions to help recoup some of the cost of the course!

I'll be contributing 10 pages of finished art, while each student will be expected to create 5 by the end of the course. Each student will have his/her own story for the 5 pages, as well as a short bio that will help them stand out to publishers.

I don't know exactly what the cost would be, but I'm thinking about charging $2000 per student, with perhaps offering a one time discount for the first session. Travel costs to Maine would NOT be covered, nor would food costs. However, I could see us as all chipping in a few bucks and cooking meals together as well. The students would be responsible for bringing their own materials.

While I can't at this time guarantee college credit, what I can guarantee is a two week crash session that will not only be informative, but also a hell of a lot of fun. As we all know, who you know is just as important as what you know. Not only will the lessons be filled with information, but the relationships you will build with our guest speakers, other interns and myself will be invaluable.

Which means he may have changed his mind about the benefits of the process.

TIP: If you want to be a writer or artist for a major publisher DO NOT intern for free thinking you'll "make connections" that'll help you.

— Sean Gordon Murphy (@Sean_G_Murphy) December 21, 2012

@Sean_G_Murphy @jengrunwald I know that @JoeMadx got his start as a Marvel intern — Dave Cummings (@DaveJCummings) December 21, 2012

@MarkBrooksArt @jengrunwald @DanSlott And I think @NickDragotta as well. So there ARE some. — Sean Gordon Murphy (@Sean_G_Murphy) December 21, 2012

Applicants were asked to submit their work, and Sean planned to interview ten next week, for a programme for five students that would start in February next year, in Portland.

But $2000? How many people would apply for such an event? Well, $130,000 worth it seems.