Monday, June 13, 2005

Australian newspaper

There should be an article about the challenge in Tuesday's Australian so make sure you read it at the newsagency and then buy it if it doesn't contain the terms, pow, bam or zap.

11 comments:

Mark Selan said...

I think one of my quotes was taken out of contents - i was referring to how retailers viewed local stuff but a really good peice.

Apparently, it ran overlong and interviews with Patrick Alexander and Grug were cut. Which is a shame, as it would have given the article more of a local flavour instead about being about 'a look comics are culture too' article.

Anonymous said...

"My only criticism would be it's a shame they didn't mention more Australian creators."

Way more got mentioned than the none except Doug in The Age 24 Hour Comics article!

But I'm assuming you mean they didn't mention you in this article. An oversight to be sure, but a far more balanced article than the other one.

Mark Selan said...

"My only criticism would be it's a shame they didn't mention more Australian creators."

Way more got mentioned than the none except Doug in The Age 24 Hour Comics article!


Not so much.
Its a shame because when i spoke to the journalist from the Australian, i did mention a load of local creators and spoke a lot about the challenge. The whole comics literature we discussed as a perifery issue. When it was published it, the emphasis changed. When I briefly spoke to the Age, i wasn't really given the opportunity to talk about Australian comics as a whole. The emphasis of that article was 'Melbourne artist entering competition'.

But I'm assuming you mean they didn't mention you in this article. I do get mentioned in the last 2 or 3 paragraphs - there are quotes from me. So i'm not sure what your issue is.

Don't get me wrong - I think as an article about comics as emerging literatre or medium, its probably the best that's been produced in this country ever. As an article about the 24 hour challenge and the work of australian creators it kind of fails.

Mark Selan said...

sorry i'm stupid, i thought you refering to saomething i said but you are trying to pick a fight with doug. sorry

carry on

Anonymous said...

Not pick a fight, just make an observation. I thought Doug's comment about no artists being mentioned was plain wrong, particularly considering the other article that mentioned only Doug (and appeared to be about the 24 Hour Comic Event).

I think one quote they chose from you (about Australian comics historically) was unfortunate in isolation, but I figured it was either misquoted or taken out of context as is often the case with newspaper pieces

Anonymous said...

"Yeah...i'll just say it again so it sinks in: Next time someone asks you about what you do Douglas...rattle off the names of everyone involved in Australian comics ever!! Cause it's not fair and balanced!!"

So you admit you didn't mention anyone at all in the interview? Were you aware that one of the purposes was to promote the 24 Hour Comics event?

To say that it's a pity the other article didn't mention anyone, when you had the opportunity to and didn't, is disingenous to say the least.

The real question is: are you for promoting Australian comics or only yourself? I don't deny you'll make it, but you're likely to be an isolated case.

Mark Selan said...

couple points on what's doug said

- When the Age journalist asked for someone to talk to in Melbourne I was stumped. I wanted someone who had 'product' and who had done the challenge before and had signed up already. Doug fit the bill. Because it was on short notice and doug was easily contactable he was the only one i asked. I did have a back up if Doug wasn't able to do anything. i have no problem with Doug pushing his stuff - people with something to push are more likely to throw their hand up and help out (you wouldn't believe how many people didn't want to be interviewed).

Secondly for the Australian article i name dropped everyone. Including the artists who happily donated prizes for this challenge and previous challenges. Gary Chanloner donated a signed Eisner book and some DC art this year. Yardin and Naylor donated books and art last year.

also the nature of these articles is completely out of everyone's hands, even the journalists it would seem. When Brad Pitt does an interview he doesn't talk about Tom Cruise's movie, unless he is specifically asked. no one complains.

it shouldn't be the job of the few to talk about the many, sure its nice when the love is spread around but hand holding can only go so far

The Frase said...

I guess there is a fine line in some peoples eyes between Media Darling and Media Whore.

I wish I had an an Anonymous Hater.
They're funny!!

The Frase said...

Heheheheh!
Yeah, send them over!

G said...

To be fair to both Mark and Doug regarding the Age article, I know my contact details were given out to the journalist also.

Graeme (24 Hr PR guru) had asked for my contact details and I think Mark cc my hotmail to the Age writer as well. But I was never contacted.

And I don't think it was Doug's responsibility to mention other fellow Aussie comickers or 24 Hr participants unless he was asked.

Mark Selan said...

I have the memory of a sieve, i know that you were going to be my back-up Gary but couldn't remember if you had been contacted. Mystery solved.