...Me
My civil name is Trond Sĉtre. I come from, and still live in Norway. I chose the artist name Tall T because, well, to most non-Norwegians, the name "Sĉtre" is difficult to spell (it even contains a letter not found in the Angelic alphabet), and pretty much impossible to pronounce (it goes like "seh-thre", if anyone's interested). Besides, I've already used he name "Tall T" on a lot of online forums. It was originally the name of a Western, although I chose the name because I stand 1,98 meters (approx. 6`6`) tall....The background
Last winter I developed a comic strip named Noctürne, in Norwegian, and started posting it on the net. I also entered it into a syndication contest arranged by a major Norwegian newspaper. Then I considered translating it into English. Which was probably the direct reason why I gave it up; I quickly realized that, more or less subconsciously, it looked way too much like two web comics I knew well: Kevin and Kell and Suburban Jungle (I don't have to explain you what they are about, do I?). I even had a bat and a hedgehog as main characters (Kevin & Kell readers will understand why that could be a problem). So, I decided to give up the Noctürne concept. And dream up a new one.The result was Once Were Stars, a general audience strip that at the same time allowed to me to display my obsession for record collecting and music stores. And I even managed to throw in a bat in this strip as well. The main concept is a former rockstar (Steve), now running a music store and a music collecting geek (Thrive) who lands a job in his store.
...The name
The name of the strip is inspired by the name of the New Zealand movie Once Were Warriors. Not that there are any other similarities, mind you - that movie is a very serious drama about ghettoized Maoris. I just liked the expression.The use of plural might puzzle some, as seemingly, the only one in the cast who Once Was Star is Steve. All I have to say to that is: Wait and see, the story has only just begun.
...The idea
The big idea, if there is one, is to make OWS a general audience strip. BUT...in the wonderful and chaotic world of web comics, there seems to be a tendency to make strips that, while also attracting a general audience, has an extra appeal to certain interest groups: General Protection Fault to computer geeks, PvP to gamers, Funny Farm to toy collectors, etc. In the same way, OWS might become such a strip for CD and record collectors.Or maybe not. I haven't decided yet. What do you say? Do you think there's a market for that? Surely I can't be the only one who feel that something essential is missing if I sit down to surf the net without a CD or the radio on in the background?
...The technicalities
Anyway, I've only just begun. From here on, anything goes - or so I hope. I now think I've found a site design I can settle for, and I'm adding new features all the time- including three new comics a week, of course.I've finally managed to scan my drawings properly (that is to say, as b&w drawings, rather than b&w photos). Color is a differnt matter. I've tried to color my strips, but they don't look so good for it, so it's b&w for the moment. I guess my lines need to be thicker, or something. Coloring tips are welcome, but I'm running the strip in b&w for the time being.
...You
Apart from the technical stuff, I'm faced with the even greater challenge of getting readers - If you've had a peek at my site at all, please let me know. If you have any comments, positive or negative, on my strip, that's even better. In other words, mail me! I enjoy making this strip, and I want other people to enjoy it as well. I still have a lot to learn, but the most important thing is, I'm in business.Be seeing ya!
Tall T
