I’m frustrated. I’ve been trying to create my final comic and Pixton has been down, unable to save anything. I created 3 frames, which you can see below (click to view full size):
Originally, I was going to write a conclusion about comics, but I figured if you’ve been reading my posts you already know what I’ve been writing, so why repeat it? Instead I was going to talk about my experiences with Pixton, which have been slightly OK at best. As someone who can’t draw and doesn’t have time to play around in MS Paint (which I don’t even have), Pixton seemed like a dream. Pre-made templates that I can mess around with. Although most people who make Pixton comics are more creative than me and probably get the most out of Pixton, they are still using images that belong to Pixton, so whatever they create ultimately belongs to Pixton as well. This bothers me. It makes sense, but I’m still kind of angry about it. All of the comics I’ve made for this project aren’t mine!!! I gave up the rights to my work in exchange for aesthetics and convenience.
The other thing that bothered me was when you go to publish your comic, two options are automatically checked: you allow to have your comic remixed by other pixton users, and you allow for the content of your comic to be used in Pixton merchandise. You have to manually uncheck them if you don’t agree with either. The first option is actually kind of cool, Pixton is allowing it’s users to play around with things others have made, but does this mean Pixton employees can do the same for advertising purposes? If I would’ve allowed for my work to be remixed, would Mr. Tweeters and Sparkles have been used in a comic promoting Pixton’s newest features? The second option outright pisses me off, because not only do the comics not belong to you, but if you don’t read closely enough before publishing your comic, Pixton can make money off of something you (mostly) created. The least they can do is not have these options automatically checked when you go to publish your comic.
I’d like to say that if I would’ve decided to do this again, I would create my own comics from scratch, but Pixton’s convenience is definitely appealing, even if it does mean I’ll never own what I make on their site.
Also, regarding webcomics, check out Brad Neely’s YouTube channel, which is sort of like a video/comic hybrid. A new twist on webcomics, as well as hilarious:
Possibly Relevant Posts:
- Webcomics and Art Online: Is Comic Book Guy already out of a job? (7) | Elisa Verna
- AAWL 2 (12) | Elisa Verna
- Comics About Comics, pt. 1 (5) | Elisa Verna
3 Comments
I’ve enjoyed Mr. Tweeters’ and Sparkles’ conversational adventure through webcomicland! I’m sad that this now belongs to Pixton and that you’re having problems with their online service. For my final travelogue I was trying to be a little ambitious and go beyond just video – was trying to throw in some stills and effects and such – and I find myself having technical and other problems so my final post is probably going to surface like tonight or tomorrow =(
I think it’s still good to have free tools out there for people who don’t have some skills or access to certain tools and things, in the sense that people like me can put stuff out there that I didn’t think I’d be able to! I also think that, like in your case, it can be a stepping stone in terms of what you’d do in the future – Pixton worked for you for this travelogue and you learned through the experience, but you also think you’d create your own in the future if you had to.
thanks again for Mr. Tweeters and Sparkles – maybe I’ll see them somewhere in the future? =)
While I understand your frustration being faced with the problematic nature of social media, I would say Pixton’s emphasis on what they or others can do with your work is actually refreshing. I am not seeing you so enraged about many other social media services that would hide their EULA as much as they can and would not even provide you the option to uncheck that checkbox.
I would take the explicit declaration of terms anyday if the alternative is just the status-quo of opaque exploitative terms of service.
As the creator of Pixton.com, I’d like to point out that you actually retain 100% of your copyright on the comics you create. Any original dialogue, storylines, etc. that you submit are still yours. It’s ONLY the rendered images to which we claim ownership. If we didn’t, we’d lose any control over how, where, and by whom Pixton comics are used, displayed, modified, etc. Do you think that would be fair to us?
I have personally developed (and continue to develop) Pixton’s unique technology, as well as painstakingly drawn every piece of artwork. When you create a comic, it might feel like you’ve done most of the work, but I think it’d be fairer to say that you and I contributed comparably.
The Pixton you’re describing is currently completely free, but it costs money to build and run. Making Pixton Merchandise available is one small way that users can help support us, if they choose.
I can go on, but I’ll leave it there – in short, Elisa, I don’t think you’ve given Pixton a fair shake. You’ve focussed on what you perceive as negative, while missing all the wonderfully creative things happening on Pixton!
Sincerely,
Clive