1. What’s The Dreamland Chronicles really about?
SCS: Really Really about?
Well it’s about my fascination with dreams and fantasy. It’s taking all of the books I grew up on and trying to extrapolate the best of them all into something fun.
It’s something for my kids. Something for me.
It’s pushing the medium (using 3D animation software) further than I’ve ever pushed it to tell a story.
But if you want a synopsis of Dreamland…
It’s about a boy who goes back to the land of dreams he used to visit as a child. There he finds all of his childhood friends have grown up as well.
It’s about faith. It’s about remembering your innocence. It’s a romance story. And it’s just fun.

2. In your books you mention that the graphics are generated by a computer program that you commissioned. Care to elaborate?
SCS: Well I started using CGI to do comics back in 2002 when I did Spider-Man for Marvel comics.
It was an experiment and I think it came out ok.
But I knew I could do better.
Fortunately my animation studio was doing well. We were making some money on projects like Aliens vs. Predator and X-files.
So I was able to hire some extremely talented modellers and designers and such to help me create the world of Dreamland.
That was 6 years ago…and I’m still learning every day.

3. How does it feel to work in CGI, and what is involved? Do you ever face criticism for your choice of medium?
SCS: CGI when I first started using it for comics felt cold. I came from illustration. I’m a painter by trade.
But my career took me into video games and eventually into animation for film and tv.
So I had the skills I needed to try something different. When Marvel came calling. It seemed like a good fit.
After doing it…I wanted to push it more.
As for criticism. Ha. I get that A LOT!
No comic publisher would touch Dreamland. The most common excuse I’d get was “Comics should be DRAWN”
So I self published.
Online…people are a bit more forgiving. But really… People still pick out a frame or two and say “Gaah! It’s HORRIBLE”
It happens.
It’s all good though. I do my best and never expect everyone to like it.
You can’t please everyone.
But all that said…I’ve been extremely fortunate to have for the most part positive crits.
People have been extremely kind.

4. Clearly you have some fairly good artistic skills yourself, yet in most of your works you are listed as the writer, not the artist. Care to comment?
SCS:Well thanks first off… Dreamland is a full time job in that I write and illustrate.
So when I have other stories like Pet Robots, Ed’s Terrestrials, Gary the Pirate, and more…I can’t do both the writing and the art.
So I save my pennies and beg and plead with talented artists such as Diego Jourdan or Tracy Bailey to work with me.
Cookies, manual labor, my first born….anything to get them to work with me.
I’ve been quite blessed to get to work with these talented artists.

5. What are your chief influences on The Dreamland Chronicles, and what inspired the story?
SCS: The Narnia Chronicles, John Carter of Mars, The Hobbit, Little Nemo in Slumberland, The Princess Bride, The Neverending Story.
Those are my chief influences.
My inspiration started from my own vivid dreams. I always had an active “night life” so to speak. So dreams were always part of my childhood.
In college we read about Windsor McKay’s Little Nemo in Slumberland.
It was EXACTLY what I had been writing about in my journals.
Then the thought of “what happened to Nemo when he grew up?” entered my head.
That had to be explored.
And…the Dreamland Chronicles was born.
6. You’re probably the only webcomic artist (to my knowledge, anyway) to sell action figures of your characters. What gave you this idea?
SCS: I don’t know if I’m the only one…so I can’t confirm that.
But I do know that ANY creator would want to see their characters as a figure. It’s just the COOLEST.
We’re making 2 more for the series. Alexander and Felicity. I can’t wait.
I have to thank my cousin Russ for helping to pay for these. He’s been loaning me money for some of my endeavors and it’s a real blessing.
I doubt too many people have a cousin who “stashed” some extra money away like my Chiropractor cousin did. And is willing to loan it out.
So thanks Russ.

7. I’ve noticed that you have made it clear, on a regular basis, that your comic is designed for all audiences. I know you’ve made a strong effort to make TDC kid-friendly. How does this reflect in your actual readership?
SCS: Well I see people when the recommend Dreamland on forums as “It’s kid friendly…but try it anyway”…ha ha.
But other than that…I haven’t seen an adverse effect to having an All Ages book.
Quite the contrary. I get quite a few parents and younger readers that I think most other comics COULDN’T get.
So it’s pretty cool.
It IS hard to do an all ages book though.
I have to be vigilant about the ads that go up on my site. Who I link to. And what people say on the forums.
Gotta keep it clean.
On the other hand…
I still get parents who think my book is too “racy” for their kids.
You know…I have “cleavage” and show belly buttons.
But you can’t please everyone. And that’s not what I’m trying to do.
I try to make my family happy. If my 5 year old boys like it (which they do)…then I’m happy.

8. Tell us about your other projects outside of your webcomic.
SCS: I have several books printed and in production.
Ed’s Terrestrials and Pet Robots are in my store…but will be re-released as smaller books to go into stores.
Upcoming books are Gary the Pirate, Hyperactive, Dino Wars, and My Grandparents are Secret Agents.
I’ve also got a few other books I’m writing too.
It’s great fun and I love to see other artist’s work with my writing.

9. As a devoted father and husband, what does it mean to be a webcomic artist?
SCS: It means I get to be home with my kids every day.
It means I haven’t missed a THING in their lives.
It also means my wife is going to have a nervous breakdown because I don’t have a “real job”
It means I’m happy regardless.
10. Favorite ice cream flavour?
SCS: Chocolate Ice Cream with Hershey’s Syrup and Ovaltine mixed in.
Check out the Dreamland Chronicles at http://www.thedreamlandchronicles.com.

Tags: CGI, interview, Scott Christian Sava, Ten Questions, The Dreamland Chronicles

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