Treatment of RSoM

[Akanke]

this may or may not be in the right place but.....yea i was talking...ok not really but i was somewhat advertising TP on this other forum (i basically just put up the link to where it tells u how to submit your stuff) and some people were saying that there is a rumor about how TP has a pretty bad rep for mistreating their new artists and that there is a lot of pressure placed on them, and also they may be underpaid and whatnot.
(also said that it was a "pretty big thing a while back...so this may or may not still be the case/rumors going round)

and i was wondering if any of this is true...

[Murasakivie]

I read some rants about it, but I doubt they're true. If the artists were truly being mistreated, then Tokyopop wouldn't have so many working for them!

Though the "putting pressure on artists" sounds reasonable. They do have to work under a schedule and some artists just can't handle working at such a rate.

[YamPuff]

Ooh...this is so sneaky...discussing Tokypop's treatment of artists--in their own message forums!!!!!!!

I haven't heard any complaints from the artists I've read on the forums so far (maybe they aren't alowed? Under a restraining order?). Dealines have to be made and if they aren't than the pressure is on.

[KaYoKitten]

I'd actually be glad to be put on a schedule. =P I can work on the same image for hoooooours...it's usually when people tell me DUDE! just cut it out, it's okay to stop! that I do. ^^; I'd love to have an editor. Maybe this is just my own insecurities talking, but I would love someone else who would tell me how long I have to draw something. XD

[YamPuff]

I'd actually be glad to be put on a schedule. =P I can work on the same image for hoooooours...it's usually when people tell me DUDE! just cut it out, it's okay to stop! that I do. ^^; I'd love to have an editor. Maybe this is just my own insecurities talking, but I would love someone else who would tell me how long I have to draw something. XD

Ditto for me.

Everyone likes my pics and I keep telling them, "no, its not finished, it's not good enough yet..."

[KaYoKitten]

Ditto for me.

Everyone likes my pics and I keep telling them, "no, its not finished, it's not good enough yet..."

^_^ Everyone's always surprised that I draw fairly quickly. I had time constraints early on because I drew during school or church because my parents didn't like me drawing at home. Drawing at school, they didn't know, and at church they figured at least I wasn't talking to people obnoxiously. So I had only an hour or two to do something. I could usually finish a sketch in under fifteen minutes (only drawing people, didn't do bg until later on and then I learned the art of going back to a drawing after I had left it for a while) and then inking in details during the rest of the time. I learned how to draw doing that, so not surprising that I have experience going fast.

Still...you gotta wonder if the being on your own schedule could help. I've always wondered if I set a deadline for myself if I could do what I wanted. I wonder if being on the sort of deadlines TP has is good?

Um...at any rate, I've also heard from other forums here that actually TP treats their artists very well. They seem understanding of the fact that one manga book a year doesn't cover the bills of their artists. And compared to Japanese manga-ka, who do manga as a living and juggle many series at once, to only have one like that is pretty cushy. And being underpaid? I don't know the actual payment they receive, but to be published like that, I would think is a great joy and payment in and of itself. Plus, I'm fairly certain the good majority of the manga-ka working for TP have day jobs, too, to supplement their income.

[Akanke]

interesting...lol i guess it all kind of depends on the person...in a sense

[Akanke]

Ooh...this is so sneaky...discussing Tokypop's treatment of artists--in their own message forums!!!!!!!

I haven't heard any complaints from the artists I've read on the forums so far (maybe they aren't alowed? Under a restraining order?). Dealines have to be made and if they aren't than the pressure is on.


lol it isnt sneaky if you're hoping for an answer from one of the guys that work there (not necessarily an artist or publisher or w/e, though i wouldnt mind them either)

[headmistress]

There has been a lot of discussion in various online forums related to whether or not the TP contracts are "fair." So this concept is definitely out there, with some people virulently opposed to (what is known of) TP's contract requirements, and some passionately defending them.

You can find some discussion (including many TP creators & some editors as well) & links to other opinions in these threads (from the Pseudome forums) here:

http://www.pseudome.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3044

http://www.pseudome.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3043

(there's more if you dig around, but those are some recent ones.)

Most of the OEL artists on contract, while not able to reveal specifics of the contracts, have expressed in those discussions that they are content (and in some cases outright thrilled) with their contracts at this time. But the TP contracts may not be suitable for all creators, and not all contracts are the same.

Seeing as Tokyopop does not have any way to force you to sign a contract you feel is unfair, there is nothing to lose by submitting & seeing what they have to offer, discussing their proposed contract with your own legal counsel if you so choose, and negotiating contract points you do not agree with. If you can't reach a compromise you are happy with - then don't sign!

Bridget