BACKGROUND: Comic Life is a computer program on the Macintosh computer that simplifies the process of creating a Digital Comic Strip. It is both fun and easy to use. Students will use this program to create a short, 4 page comic.

DAY ONE: To start, we simply need to learn how to use this program. Head to this website: "How to Use Comic Life" and head down to the section called "The Comic Life Interface." With Comic Life open on the Mac, review the information in this section, so that you are familiar with the panels and tools in Comic Life and what they do.

Then, go to the next section of the page, called "How to Create a Comic Life." Go through the five step process, play with the program a little, see if you can get the hang of what the program does. There should be some photographs on the Mac that you can play with, or you can use the "Capture" option to take your own at the computer.

Once you get the hang of how the computer works, come up with an idea for a simple little one page comic that you could create right in the classroom. Take one of the small digital cameras in the classroom and take a few pictures of people in the class or whatever you need for your comic.

Then, connect the camera to the Mac and download the pictures. You will need to use the "Image Capture" button to the left side of the Desktop. See Mr. B. if you can't get this to work, it is a little tricky. Using the pictures you took, create a complete page for your comic, with a beginning, middle and end to the story. Make sure to include a title panel, as well.

Save your comic. This will be your first grade for the unit.

DAY TWO: You will be responsible for coming up with a FOUR PAGE (or more) comic, incorporating AT LEAST 16 panels (you can include the title panel in your 16), that tells a coherent and interesting story. The theme of your comic is completely up to you, but must be school appropriate and should have a point of some sort. In many ways, creating a comic book is a lot like creating a movie, with many of the same requirements. Here is a list of the required elements of your comic:

1. "Your First Comic": Save the first practice comic page you create, I will be giving credit for it! (10 points.
2. A written TREATMENT, submitted before you begin your comic, that outlines the ideas and subjects of your film. Download this link. Then open up the INSPIRATION program on your desktop (see picture right). From INSPIRATION, open your treatment file. Then simply click and enter your information. Save it when you are done and show it to Mr. B. You will need his approval before starting your project! (10 points)
3. A STORYBOARD: This should be a fairly detailed and well thought out pencil layout of each panel of your comic. You have a comic pictured in your head that you would like to create, the Storyboard helps you lay out the images, words and panels for you. Do NOT just randomly start throwing pictures on the computer and hoping that you can make a comic out of them! To assist with this part of the project, you can use this Storyboard File. (10 points)
4. Photographing and gathering images: Take one of the small classroom cameras and get your pictures. If necessary, you can find some pictures on the internet. If you remember masking from Technology or Graphic Design class, feel free to mask your images if necessary.
5. Compose your comic. Use panel layouts and color effects that add to your theme!
6. Make sure to include a Title Panel and a small "Copyright" statement on the front page of your comic!
7. Save your comic and get it to Mr. B. so he can color print it for all to see! (50 points)

THE EXTRA THING YOU NEED TO DO: In addition to creating your own comic, you are also required to review an online digital comic. There are a number of comics that you can consider, well-known, vintage and online. Consider them below:

• Captain America #1: Click on the "OPEN" link to open the comic and read.
• Dark Tower: The Gunslinger #1: Click on the "OPEN" link to open the comic and read.
• Zot! Online: Read through the entire "Hearts and Minds" story.
• Write for me a one page review and critique of the comic that you have choosen. Make sure to explain, in proper writing style, the action of the comic and the layout of the graphics. Then describe if you like the comic and why. (10 points)

The Deliverables and Grading Points for this unit: