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Dear subscribers and contributors to the first issue of the Scaffolding Magazine!
Jalapeno Publishing wishes you happy holidays this December. Many of you are expecting the magazine to be out. We experienced some technology failure in the process of completing the mock-up and, as the result, we need a different, more powerfl laptop. That is being taken cared of this week. As soon as we are able to process a large file with InDesign, we will publish the issue. No need to resubmit aything, we have all your files. The estimated release is pushed back to January 2017. Sincerely, JP Team
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 We love science fiction and fantasy for stunning visuals. Comic books became a bridge between writing and cinema, combining the best of both worlds. Jalapeno Publishing is honored to present you a talented visual artist from the Lab99 project: Oscar Joyo.
J.P.: What styles do you prefer? O.J.: I'm pretty flexible to be honest but if I had to pick: pop surrealism and glitch art. I find those two styles pretty fun to work with, realism and lucid, psychedelic art.
From Oscar's Sketchbooks J.P.: Today a lot of art is created 100% digitally. Do you have an opinion about the value and skill level of digital art? I ask because artists seem to be divided in three camps: one believes in conventional media, another fully transitioned into the digital world, and the third does a little of both. O.J.: I believe digital art is extremely convenient, accessible, and opens door for experimentation. It's quicker to start, edit, and send files and submit work at a rapid rate. Though that is true, I also think tradition is necessary in order to move faster as an artist and it gives you a sense of versatility. There will be times where you may be thrust back and forth from traditional to digital so it's in an artist's best interest to understand both to an extent. J.P.: What software and hardware did you use to create Lab 99? O.J.: The first half of the comic was done traditionally in ink and watercolor paper. I didn't have a proper tablet at that point so I was used to drawing traditionally. The second half, which was the coloring portion, was done using photoshop, alchemy, and both a cintiq tablet and bamboo tablet. Follow Oscar on Twitter @OscarJoyo Follow Nebula Creatives on Twitter @NebulaCreatives www.NebulaCreatives.com J.P.: How can a beginning cartoon artist can get noticed? Where to showcase the work? O.J.: For an artist to get noticed, it begins with just posting art on social media through facebook, twitter, instagram, etc. Also it's important to post in groups because they usually provide people that could give feedback and criticism, which are important to an artist's growth. J.P.: If there is Oscar Jojo somewhere in the parallel universe, and that Oscar is not an artist, what does he do? O.J.: Not sure what he might be doing, but it might have something to do with being a doctor of some sort. Particularly, being a surgeon.  Illustration by Oscar Joyo. Although we are not sure, but it might be him in the parallel universes wearing an alien surgeon suit... J.P.: What is your favorite sci fi, if any? O.J.: Cowboy Bebop, the story is extremely compelling with beautiful visuals and captures the noir, western, and sci-fi components that not a lot of animes were doing at that point, with Gundam (G,Wing) as an exception. Dragonball Z, this was actually the anime that got me to really love drawing. The over-the-top fighting is basically martial arts, action/adventure, and sci fi cornucopia on steroids with a lot of passion and pop culture. Lastly, AKIRA is another favorite of mine. Like Cowboy Bebop, it's a compelling masterpiece and it borrowed elements from another favorite, Blade Runner, however making its own unique and wonderfully told story. J.P.: Where do you draw inspiration for scenes and the faces of your characters? O.J.: I draw a lot of influence from film and music. It's weird to put that in a graphic novel sense but it helps create flow, pacing, and an atmosphere. Films or shows that I previously mentioned have those components, which I pull from. As far as people are concerned, I use the world around me as a guide. Some of the main characters and aliens are based on friends and close colleagues. J.P.: Are you ever not in the mood to draw?
Illustrations by Oscar Joyo. All rights reserved by the author. O.J.: I've drawn so much that it almost feels involuntary, though there are days where I draw less due to over-working. J.P.: How long did it take you to create the first issue of Lab 99 (the 20-page comics volume)? O.J.: It took about 3-4 action months and 2 months planning from adding pages to properly add flow to the comic. J.P.: Your dream project would be? O.J.: I would love to work with some of my favorite artists and musicians and create a series of works for their projects. J.P.: Which Lab 99 character was the most challenging to create and why? O.J.: Lumina was pretty challenging. She's very passive and calm, which is a lovely trait, however to make it stand with the rest was a bit hard.  Lumina from Lab 99. By the way, from reading the first issue, we think Oscar captured Lumina's personality perfectly. - J.P.
J.P.: If you had a chance to address the Lab99 fans and potential sponsors, what would you tell them? Why do they need to support the project? O.J.: It was a labor of love and it took a lot of passion and energy to conjure a story like no other. You'll get to see elaborate environments and a gripping story with a slew of colorful characters. Though this is much our thing, through our funding campaign, we have created a community of creative, ambitious, and unique individuals. Hopefully this comic doesn't just end by being a typical comic but being a group of people wanting the same thing at the end, to connect.
 Scaffolding loves indie enterprises. When we think indie, we think of something that strangely reminds us a Christmas present: exciting, largely unpredictable, and if you are really lucky, awesome beyond belief. Indie scence fiction comics Lab 99 definitely fits this description. Scaffolding brings you an inside scoop on what perhaps soon will become your favourite graphic novel and a box office blockbuster. HOW IT BEGAN: PRESENT-DAY THAILAND The fishermen cast their nets, but the catch was more than they bargained for... WHO ARE THEY: HOTARU, SPECIES FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION Billions of particle souls that live as one... INTERDIMENSIONAL TRAVELERS: NO PLACE LIKE HOME Capable of traveling through space without ships and wormholes. All they need is a thought and a will. IN THE LAB 99, THEY WORK HARD AND PARTY HARD  There is no place like home indeed. A giant high-tech laboratory hidden in the body of a hollow asteroid. ...AND THEY LOVE EVEN HARDER... Eddie and Lumina spend only moments alone before... AN ACCIDENT CLAIMS HIS LIFE... Lumina watches her loved one desintegrate into spacetime... THE STORYThere is another world just above our heads. A world both comfortingly familiar and completely alien. Look in just the right direction at just the right time, and you may catch a glimpse of this parallel universe.  Although human in appearance, at least to us, Eddie and the other aliens of Lab 99 are nothing of the sort. In reality they are comprised of bioluminescent living particles sharing a unified consciousness. Although they can exist individually as separate particles, traveling throughout outer space and drifting from galaxy to galaxy following the interstellar winds, the living particles can also form bonds with one another, fusing their identity and form a complex and powerful whole. The Laboratory 99 is their home, one of many scattered throughout the universe. Hotaru who have found themselves in our corner of the solar system, built it long ago, as a place of gathering amongst the lonely, desolate eons of space. Do they fear us? Do they understand us? INTERVIEW |
 Christian Stanfield, Writer, Producer Rujanee Mahakanjana, Writer | Scaffolding Magazine: Rujanee, tell us about your career in the movie industry. Rujanee Mahakanjana: I love to write, draw, and create in general since I was a kid, but I became interested in film in grad school. From there on I wrote, produced, directed short improv experimental film. My first feature length documentary is Man and His Erections and first narrative feature film is Parallel Universe. For the past couple years I have also been working and collaborating with other writers, filmmakers, artists, and musicians on their projects and I think it's a beautiful thing. Scaffolding Magazine: Christian, tell us a few words about your career. R.M.: We worked together for a while. Then I invited Christian to collaborate in our web series 4-5 years ago. In terms of storytelling and writing, we're attracted to similar styles. We share a lot of similar tastes and philosophy when it comes to working together on a project. Since Christian has been in film longer than I have, his experience in the logistics and technical knowledge and his input on creative elements is vital, while I focus on the creative and visual aspects most of the time. |
S.M.: How the two of you have met and what makes you such a good team?
R.M.: We worked together for a while. Then I invited Christian to collaborate in our web series 4-5 years ago. In terms of storytelling and writing, we're attracted to similar styles. We share a lot of similar tastes and philosophy when it comes to working together on a project. Since Christian has been in film longer than I have, his experience in the logistics and technical knowledge and his input on creative elements is vital, while I focus on the creative and visual aspects most of the time.
S.M.: How did you meet Oscar, the illustrator of the Lab 99? How did you realize that he is the right person for the project?
R.M.: A filmmaker and a friend of mine, Eric Neal, connected us when I told him we were looking for a comic book artist. We talked to a few other artists as well so when we met with Oscar in person and saw his sketchbook, we immediately felt that he's the right person for the project.
R.M.: We worked together for a while. Then I invited Christian to collaborate in our web series 4-5 years ago. In terms of storytelling and writing, we're attracted to similar styles. We share a lot of similar tastes and philosophy when it comes to working together on a project. Since Christian has been in film longer than I have, his experience in the logistics and technical knowledge and his input on creative elements is vital, while I focus on the creative and visual aspects most of the time.
S.M.: How did you meet Oscar, the illustrator of the Lab 99? How did you realize that he is the right person for the project?
R.M.: A filmmaker and a friend of mine, Eric Neal, connected us when I told him we were looking for a comic book artist. We talked to a few other artists as well so when we met with Oscar in person and saw his sketchbook, we immediately felt that he's the right person for the project.
S.M.: Rujanee, is Lab 99 your first science fiction project? What compelled you to work in this genre?
R.M.: It depends on how you define "sci-fi." My previous project Parallel Universe could be considered in a sci-fi/fantasy genre. I think my personal fascination with space came from my first sci-fi obsession with Doraemon, the famous 70-80's cartoon I watched when I was a kid. Japanese sci-fi stories in general have mostly been about a clash between innovation and humanity and these are the 2 things I care about.
S.M.: From your experience, what does it take for an independent artist to create a graphic novel? What steps should be taken? What pitfalls are to be avoided?
R.M.: Working as an independent artist might sound fun but it is not an easy job. To create a really good graphic novel, it will take a big chunk of your energy, time, and effort. Same goes with writing a novel, you have to spend a lot of time thinking through the story you want to tell, how you tell and why your audience should care to read it. These things take time so on top of it all, time management is very important in the process. Over time, you might find yourself asking the same question over and over, if this is really what you want to do or if you can handle the bumpy long road ahead. It's OK, people can change, and so can you, but it helps when you know what your passion is.
R.M.: It depends on how you define "sci-fi." My previous project Parallel Universe could be considered in a sci-fi/fantasy genre. I think my personal fascination with space came from my first sci-fi obsession with Doraemon, the famous 70-80's cartoon I watched when I was a kid. Japanese sci-fi stories in general have mostly been about a clash between innovation and humanity and these are the 2 things I care about.
S.M.: From your experience, what does it take for an independent artist to create a graphic novel? What steps should be taken? What pitfalls are to be avoided?
R.M.: Working as an independent artist might sound fun but it is not an easy job. To create a really good graphic novel, it will take a big chunk of your energy, time, and effort. Same goes with writing a novel, you have to spend a lot of time thinking through the story you want to tell, how you tell and why your audience should care to read it. These things take time so on top of it all, time management is very important in the process. Over time, you might find yourself asking the same question over and over, if this is really what you want to do or if you can handle the bumpy long road ahead. It's OK, people can change, and so can you, but it helps when you know what your passion is.
S.M.: Rujanee, describe us your feelings when the characters that live in your head come to life in Oscar's artwork?
R.M.: Great question! It's not always right or accurate at first and I shouldn't expect perfection from the first couple sketches. It usually takes a few times before I start feeling right and close to what I have in mind for characters. References are helpful in this process.
S.M.: Are there specific graphic novels that you look up to when you work on Lab 99?
R.M.: Definitely Doraemon.
S.M.: Now, about the upcoming movie. Christian, tell us about the connection between the storyline of the graphic novel Lab 99 and the movie.
C.S.: The story in the comic book takes place before the story in the screenplay. When you watch the film alone, you should be able to understand the story at one level without having to read the comic book; but if you are following the story in the comic book, you will have a deeper understanding of the characters and the full story.
S.M.: One of the core themes of the Lab 99 universe is that there are hidden dimensions which you can access by the power of consciousness. This is a lesser exposed theme in the science fiction, as opposed to space travel by such means as the wormholes, faster than light travels etc. In your story, you can go places just by thinking about them. Power of the mind: is this something you personally believe in? How did you come up with these ideas?
R.M.: Consciousness is part of the science in our life. It amazes me how our mind works and how powerful it can be. I believe in energy exchange or transfer in the universe. The idea that we are all connected is astonishing to me.
S.M.: Christian, as a co-writer and movie Producer, what is your artistic vision for it?
C.S.: All I can say for now, Guardians of the Galaxy meets Hunger Games. Stay tuned!
S.M.: You are looking for an Executive Producer to add to your team. What qualities should this person possess?
C.S.: The number one quality is appreciation of the story and understanding of the project at our level. The person must believe in our vision and craftsmanship, that we can produce quality content. The main role of the Executive Producer is to help us raise funds for the project, whether it will be investment or sponsorship.
By the way, profit-sharing and commissions can also be discussed when in the right time. And, last but not least, film work is a long-term commitment so there will be ups and downs through the entire production and even after the film is released. Knowing that this is part of the ride and being able to have fun and stay positive along the way can add a more profound meaning to the relationship.
S.M.: With the Holidays coming up, everyone obsesses about unique Christmas gift ideas. Do you have any fun keepsakes for your fans?
C.M.: We do! You can receive the poster of one of the Lab 99 characters or even become part of the Lab 99 cartoon cast! Certainly, the digital and printed copies of the first issue are available. Check it out on our Indiegogo page.
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