WEBTOON Basics What is directing? Frames and gutters
GCC Academy
Learning Goals Understand the concept of directing Learn about directing the page format frame layout Learn about directing the scroll format frame layout
Learning Contents Concept of directing Directing page format frame layout Directing scroll format frame layout
Kim Yong hoi Careers: Former adjunct professor at Cheonggang Cultual Industry University Former head of SWA Seoul Webtoons Academy Works: The Flower That Blooms Again Just That A Dream of a Midsummer Night Masterpiece
Nice to meet you, I'm webtoonist Kim Yong-Hoi
In this session, we will explore the basics of Webtoons directing
which is the initial step towards visualizing stories prepared in writing
we will be focusing on directing using the visual appearance of frames
We will explore the concept of directing in comics and webtoons
We will explore what directing page format frame layout is about
We will explore what scroll format frame layout is about
Concept of directing
What do you think directing is?
If we google about directing, the most basic answer would be this
Directing is a term originally used in theater or plays
It is the the creation of a play or theater with actors' performances,
background music, stage lighting and other elements on the stage
As a definition, directing encompasses all audiovisual methods utilized by the director
to effectively convey their desired message
In other words, directing involves
utilizing various sensory elements such as images or sound
to effectively convey a particular message
Comics is a medium that conveys a story through drawings
The story is primarily conveyed dramatically through visual elements alone
It differs from visual media because the story is conveyed through still images
It differs from photography or painting in that it conveys a continuous story
through multiple frames accompanied by dialogue
However, since it conveys a continuous story through multiple frames accompanied by dialogue,
it shares similarities with visual media
And, since the story is conveyed through still images
it shares similarities with photography or painting
The stage of directing in comics is a flat blank page
Among them, Webtoons differs from traditional comic formats in terms of their page layout
Unlike horizontal, gaze based page format, Webtoons is vertical
Secondly, auditory elements can be added to the visual elements
Movement can also be created using visual elements
Auditory elements and movements are optional in Webtoons
Therefore, we will just briefly talk about it
Some Webtoon works collaborate with musicians for background music that suits the mood of the scene
One good example of incorporating movement in a Webtoon would be Oksoodong Ghost by Horang
Comics content with sound and movement
has already established itself as an independent content known as animation
we will see how these elements will be utilized
in future Webtoons with anticipation
Webtoons has evolved from the traditional page-based format of comics
Comics uses images within frames to tell the story
The Evolution to Webtoons was made possible thanks to mobile phones
Webtoons stages on the vertical rectangular screen of a mobile phone
In it, desired emotions of the story are directed by the author
First, let's explore the original concept of frames in the page format
Them, we'll explore how it is similar to and different from the scroll format
Directing page format frame layout
The page format is a familiar reading format where the story unfolds across multiple pages
Every page has footer page numbering
In a digital environment, it's also easy to navigate
within a work we've read
In Page format comics, multiple frames are arranged on a single page
allowing us to see the composition of the frames at a glance
Natural spacing between these frames are made and they are called gutters
Naturally, we intuit the impactful frame that is the central focus of the page
With that, we savor the other pieces of frames
placed at intervals within the gutters
there will be smaller frames within the page
which had to give up their size for the impactful frame
The size of the frames are basically determined by the emotion conveyed in them
Authors decide the extent of emotion to show
through dialogue or situations by the size of the frames
Bigger frames are used to show stronger emotions
Smaller frames are used to show relatively weaker emotions
Each frames on a page
receives its emotional wight from the author
To maximize the emotional impact, sometimes a single frame is spread across two pages
Or, the entire spread is dedicated to a single frame
However, it's not feasible to dedicate every page to a large frame
In order to advance the story, multiple frames within a single page are necessary
For that, size of the frame needs to be determined
by the emotional significance the author wishes to convey
The volume of emotion must be determined for each frame on a page
Determining size of each frame itself means to have taken the first step of directing
The author typically considers the sequence
in which the frames will be read when arranging the size of the frames
The human gaze instincitvely progresses from left to right and top to bottom
The reason behind it is because the majority of people are right-handed
It's because the gravity pulls us down
As we look at the frames in the flow of the gaze
We can sense that the appearance of the frames allows further control of emotions
And that would be the shape of the frames
The use of rectagular frames in Webtoons to tell story is because
each square on a page serves as the stage for them
There are rectangles and inverted triangles
An Inverted triangle has a narrow bottom and a wide top
This shape creates tension for the viewer by inducing instability
Rectangles provide psychological stability
While squares with all sides equal might seem to provide
the most psychological comfort due to its balanced nature
However, there is a type of rectangle that offers even more comfort
It would be wide rectangle with a longer width
People tend to feel the most stability with wide rectangles
Why do you think so?
It's because human eyes are horizontally positioned
Within the gaze that stretches horizontally
We would feel the most relieved and secure
When we know that there is nothing threatening us right?
In such a state of reassurance, the mind, eager to take in everything around
becomes like a wide rectangle, able to encompass all that the eye can see
It's stable, yet has less or decreasing psychological tension
On the other hand, shorter width, longer length gives anxiety
It's unstable just with the sense of visual balance
The narrower the width, the more unstable it becomes
Utilizing the psychological unease of a narrow-width rectangle in a frame
Not only does it synchronize with the unease felt by the character within the frame
but it also gives the readers a feeling of peering into the depths of the character's inner self
An irregular rectangle with varying lengths on each side, not aligned vertically or horizontally
appears difficult to stabilize and fix firmly on the ground, evoking a strong sense of instability
Using such a rectangle to construct dynamic emotional scenes
would be even more effective in evoking feelings of instability
Just the arrangement of rectangles within the page can evoke dynamic emotions
Like so, page format induces psychological stability aesthetically
By just having frames on a page itself
So, size of frames is used to adjust the intensity of emotion
Then, the shape of frames is used to control the shape of emotions
When we look at rectanglular frames, largest frame comes into our attention first
Considering it being comics, if we look at the frames
Our gaze starts from left to right and top to bottom
The arrangement of frames guides the sequential reading in accordance with the flow of the gaze
The reading order led by the flow is equal to passage of time within the story
The gutters between frames becomes time.
The page format layout allows us to intuit
the intensity of emotions directly
Instinctively perceiving the aesthetic of the rectangular frames,
We can follow the gaze across the gutter with the sequential flow of time
If the frames were not intended to jump to the next
Readers intuitively sense the visual continuity between frames
During the space of the gutter, where actions connect,
And they delight in the seamless connection of movements
Even in comics that present action sequences through a combination of still frames,
Readers can still experience the dynamic flavor of the action because of this
Readers themselves fill in the actions within the connected gutters of time
The scroll format frame layout
For the page format, we've observed how emotions can be conveyed
solely through the visual layout of the frames, utilizing the size, shape and gutters of the frames
Now, let's explore what directing scroll format frame layout is about
95% of the Webtoon readers view Webtoons on their mobile devices
The page format on vertically-oriented screens imposes limitations on the user's viewing experience
On small mobile device screens, a single page containing multiple frames
makes it difficult to view the images clearly and the text font may be too small
Vertical scroll format is currently the most optimized way to enjoy comics in the mobile environment
If we consider the page format as optimized for traditional book-like environments
Then, the scroll format is optimized for the vertical rectangular layout of mobile phone screens
The scroll format offers infinite vertical space
However, it can be challenging to navigate or return to desired specific point
That's why viewers of all Webtoon platforms have a "back to top" feature
Due to the viewer's specifications, we have limitations on the number of frames to view on one position
Placing frames side by side, like in a page format, imposes limitations
On the number and size of frames due to horizontal width constraints
Since small frames diminishes clarity,
They are presented sequentially within the vertical flow
Since frames can be arranged infinitely along the vertical axis,
the spacing used for gutters in the page format is not applicable horizontally
However, in the vertical direction, there is more freedom in determining the spacing
Especially nowadays, Webtoon production has become standardized to utilize
large single frames tailored to the convenience of readers on mobile device screens
Font sizes are also increased to enhance readability and visual coherence,
while images are often adjusted to fit the screen size of mobile devices
While page format has the advantage to experience the composition of frames,
Scroll format allows us to feel the flow of time more strongly through the sequence of frames
Horizontal wide frames show wide spaces or present a single shorts
And they are also a common technique used in typical video content
Scroll wide can be a primitive yet effective method to depict the passage of time within a single frame using a long shot
And in the context of scrolling, the wide format has shifted to the vertical direction
While viewing images vertically, we feel emotions within the physical passage of time
Whether those emotions are static or dynamic
In comics, the size of a frame equates to the intensity of the emotion portrayed
Due to readability issues on smaller screens,
It has become standard practice to use full-screen frames
Even so, within constraints, authors vary the size of frames
To show the intensity of dramatic emotions
Even in vertical scrolling the size of frames is used to express the intensity of emotions
To create large frames, it's necessary to provide contrast with smaller frames
However, due to limited viewer size, the intensity of larger emotions is conveyed through their length
Especially for Webtoons originated from web novels, the significance of the first episode is emphasized
To evoke genre-specific satisfaction and stand out among competing works,
It has become typical to use long vertical scenes in the introductory action plots
However, since the length of the scroll corresponds to the passage of time
If a frame is too long, it can dilute the intensity of the emotion over time
In comics, the expression of emotions is conveyed through the size of the frames
And the gutters represents the passage of time between frames
In the scroll format, with the disappearance of limitations on the spacing between frames,
The term "gutter" no longer seems appropriate
Even in the scroll format, there are times where two frames are placed horizontally
Therefore, the term "gutter," representing the space between frames remains, relevant
In the scroll format, the length of a frame can be used to extend the viewing time of a single frame
The space between frames can be utilized to make the emotions' passage of time feel stronger and more efficiently conveyed
First, let's think about what "time" is
Time is intuitively perceived as a flow
Time is perceived by the brain as the beginning, end, or interval between actions and judgments
Such as the physical sensation experienced when dropping an object until it reaches the ground
Or the rhythmic actions like breathing
There are two people talking to each other
Not sure what they're talking about, but it seems like they're having a very enjoyable conversation
One person is talking enthusiastically about something
while the other person facing them appears to be fully engaged to the speaker
The image conveys a sense that the conversation between the two is flowing naturally
It's a natural flow of time, with the clock ticking smoothly, marking the passage of time
The person who was speaking accidentally touched the cup while talking
The person in front notices that
The person who touched the cup notices as well
The cup is tilting, just about to fall from the table
Fortunately, the person in front manages to catch the cup just in time
What quick reflex he's got
The passage of time during these few frames flows sequentially and naturally
The five frames, from touching the cup to it tipping over and the hand catching it
Make us feel the tension within the span of one second, as indicated by the second hand on the clock
Even without having to draw the clock to convey this
Like so, even though it's a very short moment in reality but by doing montage the sequence
You can create a sense of time flowing in slow motion across multiple frames
This technique is effectively used in dynamic sequences, particularly in action sequences
In visual media, slow motion or montages convey
The intensity and energy of action moments within scenes, creating a sense of detail and immediacy
When you gather the condensed action movements as energy over time and
release the burst of energy in the next scene, it creates satisfying impact and a sense of speed
You've probably seen this technique applied in Webtoons as well, techniques from films and animations
While it's possible to show one second of time through several frames
The time it takes for the cup to fall from the table to the ground
Can be stretched out to an hour or even a year
This time, the tilting cup that was nudged, falls without either of the characters catching it
because somehow both of them seem to lack the reflexes
It is falling straight to the ground
keep falling
How tall is the table? We never know
We are just focusing on the cup as it falls to the ground
It continues to fall endlessly
If this continues, it would keep falling until the end of human civilization
Unless someone draws the scene of it hitting the ground giving it an ending,
The cup will continue to fall until the end of civilization
Like this in Webtoons, physical time can be
Fragmented or extended according to the author's intention
Even in page format, it's possible to control time in the similar manner,
But Webtoons in the in the scroll format have gained an advantage in expressing time
Due to the infinite vertical space
In the scroll format, the infinite vertical axis doesn't just represent only time
In comics, the space between frames is basically time
Especially, in the page format, the gutter is a crucial element
It's because with the constraints of being single pages, the gutters created by dividing frames
Serve as the only spacing and intervals
Even the freedom in spacing of scroll format is limited to only vertical axis
When there's a need to arrange frames horizontally
The gutters serve a similar conceptual purpose as those in page format
Like so, with a single frame that spans beyond the gutter, you can convey the passage of centuries
Surely, in the scroll format, creating vertical intervals in a serial fashion
allows you to comfortably convey the rhythm of time
However, when arranged horizontally in parallel, the tempo of transitioning between frames
Becomes instantaneous, making it even more impactful than the vertical layout
The time between frames separated by gutters doesn't flow in just one direction
It can also flow in the opposite direction
The time between frames separated by gutters could range from 0.1 seconds to 100 years
A fleeting moment of dodging a flying spear can be depicted with two frames
Or it can leap over a span of 100 years with a single frame
However, you can also sense the passage of time slowly and perceive the flow of time gradually
By arranging these frames in a scroll format,
We can adjust the time as needed for the situation
This allows dynamic emotions to be portrayed with shorter intervals, creating faster and more urgent pace
Static emotions to be portrayed with longer intervals, allowing for a more leisurely and contemplative pace
Enabling the emotions to be fully experienced
Of course, gutters between frames serve not only as separators of physical time but also play other roles
When using gutters connecting frames to show changes in location or situation,
They can also represent spatial movement, but fundamentally, they all denote time
The basis for frames being able to contain emotions and time is because they encapsulate the story within them
To determine the intensity of emotions by the size of frames and
to create the rhythm of time through spacing of gutters between frames,
Each frames should actually contain stories
To direct a Webtoon, there must be a story to tell
what is the smallest pixel containing a story to express emotion?
It is dialogue
Designing a frame containing both emotional dialogue and scene
Is often the first step in creating a Webtoon
We covered that directing emotion using the visual layout of frames in Wetoons
Involves adjusting the size of frames and the spacting between them
And emotions can also be portrayed through the shape of the frames
Using the psychological associations of shapes, such as the stability of rectangles
And the uneasiness of inverted triangles, we can design shape of the frames
In contrast to page format, scroll format allows for more freedom within viewer's space
It enables the entire space to be dedicated to the shape of a single frame
The freedom to design a single frame within the given space
Is the greatest strength of the scroll format is that
To depict extreme static emotions, we can make the canvas frame as large as possible
And place the subject within it as small as possible to create an extreme contrast
Also, we can fill the frame completely to show whatever we desire to convey
We can also create a sense of unease by making the frame tall and narrow
When some tension in a stable situation where a stable square frame fits needs to be created,
Using a narrow horizontal and tall vertical rectangular frame
Can be more effective in conveying emotions
The narrow rectangular frame gives the feeling of pressure tightly constraining the character
Character could be drawn larger or the frame could be tightened further
To make the character feel more constrained within the frame
Like this, only using the shape of rectangular frames, emotions can be conveyed
This aspect of direction can be even more effectively executed when concepts
related to camera angles and shots are applied together
Chaotic dynamic emotions can also be reinforced by irregularly shaped frames bursting out unpredictably
The tilted irregular shape of the frame lacks stability
Therefore it's great for expressing anxiety and tension
In scroll format, the freedom of vertical space allows for diverse and engaging frame layouts
Making it a versatile medium for portraying both dynamic and static scenes
The more actively authors utilize this freedom, the more captivating the storytelling becomes
ultimately capturing the reader's attention
We've grasped that the size of a frame can convey the intensity of emotions,
And the gutters between frames can create a sense of fleeting moments and spirit
We've also realized that by adjusting the number of frames according to dialogue or situation,
We can manipulate the passage of time
In this short yet long flow, within the infinite expanse of time
Arranging various shapes and sizes of frames to create a rhythmic flow
Directing is about creating the breath of emotions
Webtoons is the stage and canvas provided by the size of the mobile device screen
Directing frames based on their shapes is the initial design work for a prepared script
Deciding on the shape of the frames is the first step in creating an image storyboard
The delivery of the drama varies depending on how it's directed
Webtoons is another form of delivering stories to readers
through the arrangement of sequential images in frames
Hope you recognize the differences between page format and scroll format
And leverage the strengths of the scroll format to make more engaging and appealing Webtoons
Thank you
Summary 1. Concept of directing What is directing? Using sensory elements to effectively convey author's message
2. Directing in page format frame layout Page format An optimal viewing format tailored to traditional book dimensions
Directing in page format frame layout Multiple frames within a single page vary in size based on the intensity of emotions The frame shape can evoke psychological feelings in the reader
Frames are arranged considering the reader's gaze from left to right, top to bottom Since the arrangement of frames is read sequentially following the flow of gaze, gutters become a representation of time
Directing in scroll format frame layout Scroll format Optimized viewing format for the vertical rectangular shape of mobile screens Frames are arranged sequentially according to the vertical format to match the flow of time
To accommodate the reader's convenience, sometimes a single frame is used prominently to fit the dimensions of a mobile screen Varying the size of frames or utilizing the length of frames and gutters helps to convey the intensity of emotions
Frames can be freely altered in appearance to depict static or dynamic scenes