Monday, February 01, 2010

Oh Yeah

I was pretty optimistic on this coming year. But even I was surprised about what recently happened.

I just came from a lunch meeting with the top people behind a big company that is willing to republish my comics abroad. Yup, you heard it right (or read it right), ABROAD. As in outside the Philippines. They said that they will be starting at the east coast of America first and later on to other places. This company first took notice of my comics more than a year ago when two of the board member approached me during the U.P. Komikon 2008 (I think). After a few months from there, we had our first meeting in quezon city that went okay. But after that, I never heard from them again. Until yesterday. The secretary of the CEO told me that the big boss himself wants to talk to me personally while he is still in the country.

Before going to our lunch meeting, I already had a deal in my head. I wanted a royalty type deal. For each copy that will be printed. I will have a small share. And I also wanted to have a copy of a certified circulation report, those are the exact number of copies that will be printed. And of course, I wanted a control of what is the final printout of the comics. Since I know that they will be inserting an advertisement on it. Which is very typical.

I was so glad that all of these are very much acceptable to the chairman (which I may add a very cool dude for an old guy. :D). It is almost a done deal when he reach out his hand and shook it while saying "Can we have a deal on that?". I of course took his hand and said "Yes sir". With a big smile on my face.

They told me that hopefully next week, their lawyer would be finished with the contract for me to sign with all of my conditions listed for my protection. And it also happens that they own a local newspaper (Pinoy Herald) in the east coast that has been circulating for quite some time now. And they wanted me to be featured on that newspaper. The cool CEO even told me to send my best picture to them.

This is a HUGE opportunity for me. Not only that this will be an extra income for me and my family. It is also a big exposure for me and my comics, since it will be printed in thousands of copies and would be distributed to thousands of new readers abroad without me spending a single centavo. That is a hard deal to beat. :-)

All in all, I just want this project to push through. Just like any deal. Anything could turn out bad. That is why I always expect the worst, but always hope for the best. So, from this moment on. I am keeping my fingers crossed. :-)

19 comments:

Myke and Christine Guisinga said...

CONGRATS!
Pakanton ka naaaa!
or better yet
BURGER!
BURGER!
BURGER!

Gio Paredes said...

Hahahaha .. sira ka talaga Myke.

Pag naka pirma na ako ng contrata Myke... Mag papa burger talaga ako. :D

Markus said...

I'm really happy for you, Gio. Congratulations and more power to you and Kalayaan.

Gio Paredes said...

Thanks Markus.
I hope that this project will push through. :-)

Ner P said...

CONGRATS PARE!

simula na ng anihan!


tuloy tuloy na yan!

Gio Paredes said...

Sana nga Ner. :D

macoy said...

congrats gio!

protect ur rights, ha

Gio Paredes said...

Syempre naman Macoy.

Kaya nga ang dami kong condition na ni Layout. Buti nga pumayag sila sa mga conditions ko eh. :D

Myke and Christine Guisinga said...

Kuyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

We're so proud of you *hug* Sabi ko na nga ba you're going to lead the way eh *wink* :) May your hard work and dedication to your craft continue to pay off. Cheers all around!!!

much love,
wobin

Jaybee said...

woooooooohooooooooooo!!!!! asteeeeeeeeg!!! Congrats Sir Gio! wow what a great opportunity! Sana mapush through yan! Mabuhay ang Pilipinong Komikero!!!

DCel Echz said...

congrats boss! wag mo kami kalimutan pag sikat ka na ah. tsaka... burger burger burger. -dcel

Unknown said...

CONGRATULATIONS SIR GIO! WELL-DESERVED!

Gio Paredes said...

@Wobin
Salamat Ate. Naalala ko tuloy yung napaka ganda mong review sa Kalayaan #4 when you said those words. :D

@Jaybee
Ipag pray mo sana na ma push through itong project na ito. Para na rin sa lahat ng Komikero ito. Makikita ng mga Filipino abroad na buhay pa rin ang Pinoy comics industry.

@DCel
Mag papaburger talaga ako sa BK meeting natin pag natuloy ito.

@Jay
Hu u? :D

Reno said...

Congrats Gio!

A little advice: read the contract very carefully, and don't sign any of your property over to them. If you can, have your own lawyer review the contract.

Huwag mo kaming kalimutan kapag sobrang sikat ka na! :)

Gerry Alanguilan said...

DUDE!! ASTIG!! Congrats pare! :D

jzhunagev said...

Ito na nga ang sabi ni Paulo Coelho:
"The universe conspires to achieve your dreams."

Talagang passionate ka sa iyong craft sir and this is a well-earned reward.

Congrats and keep up the good work, Sir Gio!

Global na talaga ang talent at story telling skills mo.

Gio Paredes said...

@Reno
Tama ka jan. Dapat talagang basahin nang maiigi ang contrata bago pumirma. But I have a very good vibe with them and this project. Kahit noon pa namang una naming usapan. I will retain all the rights and ownership of my character and my comics. There is no exclusivity what so ever. That means my character can still be seen in Bayan Knights and other comics. I am still able to sell Kalayaan comics locally. Very minor lang ang changes sa ipi-print nila. They will just add an additional 4 pages Ad on the existing pages. And they will not be selling my comics. The will be giving it away for FREE to their customers. Bale, they will not actually earn from my comics. Advertising only to the Filipino community abroad. I will talk more about their company on my later post once the deal is sealed.

@Gerry A.
Salamat po boss Gerry.... :D

@Jayson
Thanks in believing in me. :-)

Hazel Manzano said...

astiiiiiiiig! Grabe ang layo na ng nirating ng fave super hero ko! Sasama ako sa burger niyo ha? Congrats gio!

Gio Paredes said...

Thanks Hazel.
Parang napasubo yata ako sa burger na yan ah.. :-(