Svetlana Chmakova Interview (TOKYOPOP' Dramacon)

By David Rasmussen
18th Jun 06

Rasmussen :Good day, please introduce yourself and tell us abit about yourself and your work.
Svetlana Chmakova : Hello! My name is Svetlana Chmakova, 26 years old, born and raised in Russia, now live in Canada. I have a 3-year Classical Animation diploma from Sheridan College and now work as an OGM writer/artist (best job ever!). Some of my works: "Dramacon" a 3-volume OGM for TOKYOPOP (second volume coming out in October 2006). The first volume was named as one of 20 Best Comics of 2005 by Publishers Weekly and nominated for the Harvey's "Best New Series" award of 2006. You can read a preview here - http://www.tokyopop.com/takuhaionline/series_page.php?seriesDir=dramacon&referringPage=current_issue.php.

"Adventures of CG!" monthly manga-style strip for CosmoGIRL! magazine (also available online here)

"Night Silver" for www.wirepop.com

"Chasing Rainbows" for www.girlamatic.com

Rasmussen :When you relocated from Russia to Canada at the age of 16, how much of a difference was it for you between the life you knew in Russia and the life you came to in Canada (both in the daily sense and in the grander cultural sense)?
Miss Chmakova : Very different--for starters, everything was in English! I studied English before we moved, but it was not enough. Still, I managed okay--the schools in Russia are paced a little differently so I was further ahead on some subjects than my Canadian classmates of the same age. I was literally falling asleep in math class, because the stuff that was being taught I'd already known for at least a year. But when it came to English, Creative writing, History, etc., things were much more, um... challenging. LOL
In the cultural sense, I adjusted very easily--Canada is a very accepting country with a strong multicultural community and people tend to be very friendly overall. I blended right in.

Rasmussen :What was it like, earning a Classical Animation diploma from Sheridan College? Also how did it come that you eventually moved from animation as a possible profession to manga creator?
Miss Chmakova : The animation field's been kind of dry for the past few years. Disney all but closed up shop on 2-D animation, as did the rest of the big studios. Upon graduation I did get a few offers from smaller studios, but they required moving away from home and I didn't want to do that. I tried freelance illustration for a couple of years, one thing lead to another and before I knew it, I was hopelessly in love with comics. Getting my Classical Animation diploma was a blast. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I'd put it on repeat, if I could!!

Rasmussen :When you work on manga is there anytimes that you find your skills in classical animation, in fact, can apply to your present work as a manga creator? Is there any aspect of manga work that has similar aspects to working in classical animation?
Miss Chmakova : Oh, definitely! Every single skill I learned in classical animation applies to drawing comics--principles of composition, design, anatomy, perspective, how to adapt to different drawing styles... Comics actually very much resemble animation storyboards in the storytelling and design sense.

Rasmussen :Will there ever be a time that you see yourself working in the animation field in the future? If not what is it that keeps you from pursuing a career in the industry you have a diploma for and studied extensively to do?
Miss Chmakova : So far, the only thing stopping me was lack of animation opportunities and plentitude of other ones. But that may change! I am actually involved in an animation project that is going some interesting places right now. It's too early to get excited, but we'll see what happens. (And in case anyone's
wondering--no, it's not "Dramacon" related ^.^)

Rasmussen :Anime Convention 101. How did you first react when you were exposed to your first Anime Convention? Also, if you were asked for advice from an Anime Convention newbie about conventions, how would you prepare them for their first convention?
Miss Chmakova : Try to come with a group, preferably with someone who's been to a convention before. Also, check if the con you are going to has a message board and an FAQ section--there should be helpful info there. Other than that--make sure you book your hotel room early, wear comfortable shoes, have a program/floor map, a cell phone and water with you at all times. And have fun!
I was with friends at my first Anime convention and it was awesome. There was a lot of drama and hotel room mishaps and it was all so worth it!

Rasmussen :Anime and Manga, what are your favorites and what do you (in your opinion) recommend to newbies who are just getting into the genre?
Miss Chmakova : Every newbie should start with the critically acclaimed, profound, and overall-good-fun book called "Dramacon". ...What? I have many many favourite series, so I'll only list the top ones I'd
recommend to people just starting:

"MARS" by Fuyumi Soryo to a romantic drama fan

"Nana" and "Paradise Kiss" by Ai Yazawa to a romantic drama fan who likes a little punk and alternative flavour with their love stories .

"Fruits Basket" by Natsuki Takaya and "Ranma 1/2" by Rumiko Takahashi to anyone who enjoys off-the wall romantic comedy caused by very unusual curses."Fruits Basket" actually gets darker as series progresses, but "Ranma 1/2" remains delightfully quirky and light.

"Planetes" by Makoto Yukimura to someone who enjoyes a thoughtful and engaging look at the human nature and our place in this universe. A beautiful book.

"Barefoot Gen" by Keiji Nakazawa and "Buddha" by Osamu Tezuka--everyone should read or at least try to read these two.

Rasmussen :(smirks) I see we totally agree on VIZ’ Nana… you should give these other Shojo Beat line titles a try : Aishiteruze Baby, Crimson Hero and Full Moon O Sagashite. Give them a chance too if you can… uh, no, I don’t work for… (ack)… sorry about that, back to the (cough cough) interview. How did you come to create Dramacon? Also a major part of Dramacon is the romance aspect of the story, but how did you come to the decision of setting this aspect admist the chaos of an Anime Convention, and how does the dynamics of the heroine’s first exposure to said convention influence and drive the relationship/romantic developments of Dramacon in turn?
Miss Chmakova : How did I come to create Dramacon--TOKYOPOP called and said they like my stuff and would I like to do a book for them? I was all over that, of course, and pitched the idea of a romance blooming at the con scene (which is something I had kicking around in my idea folder and had been wanting to do for a while). The con environment is the perfect setting for relationship angst--the con's short life, issues with long-distance, the social awkwardness of constantly being surrounded by people you've only now met for the first time in your life...

Rasmussen :In a preview of Dramacon printed in TOKYOPOPs Manga Magazine you mention that you open each chapter with a character image of each character because you wanted to show pretty pictures. Can you expand more on that thought, and the importance of pretty imagery in both Dramacon, Chasing Rainbows (www.girlamatic.com) and Night Silver (www.wirepop.com)?
Miss Chmakova : Pretty imagery is very important, because I like drawing it. ...That's pretty much it, actually LOL I don't get to draw the 'pretty' as much in "Dramacon" and "Chasing Rainbows" because they are more real-life type stories. (Well, as real-life as comics get, anyway, heh.) So I indulge in "Night Silver" as much as I can--it's fantasy, so I can get away with all kinds of weird clothes, hair and scenery.

Rasmussen :In Manga Magazine you are noted to have said that Yatta Con (the convention of Volume 1) was not based on any actual conventions however, how was it created if no actual physical conventions was used to create it? Was it entirely imagination, or did any several conventions provide the bits and pieces of the overall body of what would become Yatta Con?
Miss Chmakova : It's pieced from several conventions I'd attended, as well as some stuff I made up.

Rasmussen :The character of Matt, you said that his outfit was patterned after what you thought would be cool, but have you ever met or heard from any readers who swore (on a stack of pancakes) that Matt was patterned after, say, Cyclops from the X-Men movies or another male character? And if so how many times have you had to explain that no such connection exists?
Miss Chmakova : I don't think anyone's ever mentioned the Cyclops thing to me before, but I did notice it, myself. I officially assure everyone that Matt is not styled after Cyclops LOL Black clothes and sunglasses are the attire of choice for the cool, and there's only so much variety you can squeeze out of that combination! So some characters do end up looking similar, with no intention from the designer.

Rasmussen :When one talks of L33t speak the first thought goes to the AmeriManga MegaTokyo. Have you ever seen that title prior to using L33t in your titles?
Miss Chmakova : I used to read MegaTokyo religiously back in the day when it was still in strip format. When it moved into an involved storyline I drifted off, but I got back into it again recently and am now collecting the books. That's not where I learned l33t, though--message boards are to blame for that!

Rasmussen :During an interview in Manga Magazine you mentioned that you have Editor difficulties (a thing I can totally sympatize with since I used to have Editor problems myself in a previous site I worked for). When you become stressed out how do you destress from these moments? Also is there any advice you can give on stress management from your own personal experiences?
Miss Chmakova : I don't have editor problems--my editor has creator problems (by the name of me!) All my poor editor is trying to do is get the book out on time. My job is to hinder that process as much as I can, while giving her grey hairs before her time!

As for stress management--sleep and tea. And manga. Also getting things done ahead of time helps a lot.

Rasmussen :Oh… (blinks)… so I guess my 5 hour sleep cycles and a religious absorption of caffeine won’t cut it then… OH-Kay… (cough)… right. Well, in another part of the interview you speak of being a rather shy person, but it is something you dont wear on your sleeve as you often must come into contact with fans (now more than ever that you are a published creator). How do you deal with your shyness, and how do you recommend others can deal with their shyness in public places?
Miss Chmakova : Shyness is very difficult to deal with. It's something that can be masked to an extent, but generally stays with you until you grow a LOT of self-esteem. I try to work around mine by attempting to create a sense of familiarity between me and the person I am speaking with. Finding a common topic to discuss usually works, or even asking them how they are and how their day has been or their opinion on the con/latest movie/the book they're holding/etc. What's most difficult is making that connection--after you find it, it's easier.

Of course, this approach does not always save me from awkward pauses and situations that make me want to crawl into a corner and never show my face to the world ever again.
But such is life!

Rasmussen :Silly question (sorry). Any Animal Rights activists drop nasty e-mails yet about the death of Mr. Raccoon in Dramacon Vol. 1? (Mr. Raccoon just acting right -- Tom Nook…? Is that you? -- uh, sorry, I have an Animal Crossing addiction… carry on.)
Miss Chmakova : I have not gotten any e-mails, because Mr. Raccoon is alive and well! In fact, he can be seen snoozing comfortably on the car's hood on page 166 :)

Rasmussen : Ok… (awkward silence)… my video gaming pet peeves aside (sigh), and seriously now. According to Right Stuf International, Dramacon Vol. 2 is slated for an October 2006 release date. That is -- what -- half a year between volumes? This seemingly puts you in the same category (in good company I might add) with The Red Star creator Christian Gossett (because at times the title has been known for the longest periods of downtime between issues, the latest taking place as Mr. Gossett worked in New Zealand with WETA on Peter Jacksons King Kong).
So, straight up, why does it take so long between volumes of Dramacon to publish?
Miss Chmakova : Because it takes a very long time to draw these volumes :) (And it's a year apart--the first volume came out in October 2005.) A non-rushed manga-style page takes me an average of 9-10 hours (pencils, inks, tones). Now, assuming I wish to have weekends off to rest, take care of housework/errands and maybe have a little bit of a life (unlikely to happen, as there is always too much to do), as well as have 'schedule padding' in case I get sick or some other emergency comes up... To do a 190-page book (second volume of Dramacon) would take 38 weeks, or approximately 9 months. And this is not counting the time it takes to write the script, do the cover, and work on the billion little side projects that I tend to have.

Right now I am working on Dramacon, the CosmoGIRL! manga, my online comics (sometimes, when I have a spare minute) and some freelance illustration/animation jobs here and there. I don't get weekends off, I don't have time to go out with friends, watch TV or to relax with a novel.
I am so very very lucky to have a wonderful toner for Dramacon 2 (J. Dee DuPuy http://www.onikimono.com) which really helps, but there is still a loooot of work on my plate.

Rasmussen :The future. What can we look forward from you in the coming months (both online and in print)?
Miss Chmakova : For now, "Dramacon" volume two and some of my illustrations in the upcoming
"Mangaka America" book that's too awesome for words and due out this fall from HarperCollins (buy it! buy it!).
I have a few irons in the fire, but nothing for sure yet. I'd really like to find a print home for my online comics, so that I could work on that after Dramacon.

Rasmussen :Any parting words for our readers?
Miss Chmakova : Thank you for reading! :)

-- David Rasmussen 18th Jun 06