A COMIC IN FIVE ACTS PROJECT GUIDE
This page contains all the information you need to complete A Comic In Five Acts.
Use the buttons below to navigate and eventually submit your project.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This fall, as part of our New Works Initiative, Minnesota Opera presents the world premiere of The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, music by Kamala Sankaram and libretto by Minita Gandhi based on the graphic novel by Ram V and Filipe Andrade from BOOM! Studios.
Like opera, graphic novels combine the written word and visual art to help bring a story to life. At MN Opera, we are collecting bold, original, and compelling stories from YOU in the form of A Comic in Five Acts.
Submissions will be displayed at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts at the Student Dress Rehearsal, Thursday, October 29.
To register your class to attend The Many Deaths of Laila Starr Student Dress Rehearsal, visit mnopera.org/student-rehearsals or email Creative Development Program Manager, Kari Heistad, at [email protected]
PROJECT STEPS
STEP ONE
Imagine a story you want to tell using one of the prompts below.
A Myth Reimagined
The Many Deaths of Laila Starr features the mortal world and the world of the gods. Think of a myth you know or a story that features mystical elements and imagine how you could tell it in a new way. Maybe Pandora opens her box in modern day or maybe Icarus gets his wings on Mars!
An Idea Personified
The Many Deaths of Laila Starr centers on the character of Death. Choose an abstract idea/concept to turn into a character and figure out what their biggest challenge would be. Who is Time and what would they do if time… stops? What would happen to Fear if everyone stopped feeling afraid?
Power Upended
The Many Deaths of Laila Starr explores what happens when a god loses their powers and is forced to live as a mortal. Imagine your own story about a powerful person losing their grip on control. Or imagine someone without power suddenly gains it. How does power change people?
A True Turning Point
The Many Deaths of Laila Starr shows a turning point in Death’s life: losing her job as a god and becoming mortal. Think of an event that changed your life or the life of someone you know. What led to that moment? How did you/they respond? How did that experience shape who you/they are today?
Drawer’s Choice
Come up with your own idea! Whatever story you are most excited to tell is the story we’re most excited to read!
STEP TWO
Structure your story in five acts using Freytag’s pyramid.
Use the narrative structure planning sheet below to help you get started.
STEP THREE
Write and draw your story in the comic template.
Use the drawing videos on this page to help guide you as you go.
STEP FOUR
Submit your comic online or by mail to MN Opera online using the instructions below.
COMIC TEMPLATE
NARRATIVE STRUCTURE PLANNING SHEET
DRAWING VIDEOS
E. Joy Mehr is a Minneapolis-based cartoonist making comics about mental health, being broke, cats, & other stuff. She also teaches comics and zine workshop and runs Insert Name Zine Fest since 2019.
How to make a comic
How to differentiate characters
Drawing warm-ups!
What to do if you get stuck or make a mistake
SUBMISSION FORM
Digital submissions due October 16.
Scan or take a photo of your comic and submit it using the form below.
Files must be HEIC, JPG, JPEG, PNG, or PDF and under 10MB.
Mailed submissions must be postmarked October 2.
Fill out the mailing info form and mail it with your comic to the address on the form.
DIGITAL SUBMISSION FORM
QUESTIONS?
Email Creative Development Program Manager, Kari Heistad at [email protected]