So I’ve discovered the downside to character development. Months ago; back before I started actually putting the comic up, and had barely started taking photos. The scenes from these past few weeks were written out in more of a “who’s on first” type gag. Originally it was going to be myself as the straight man teaching Paddy (the hapless comic) how to use the phone. The problem became that as I developed a bit of background on Paddy, and accidentally continued a story for that matter, things no longer really fit the original dialogue. I couldn’t even just give my lines over to the Narrator. The more I thought about Paddy the more I realized you couldn’t really get on with life if you weren’t adaptable and accepting of change. With that discovery, as well as other bit, I ended up having to completely scrap the scene as written (if you could call it written). What ended up happening really gave me ideas and depth for the character. This is part of the reasoning behind the old ad references like “Reach out and touch someone” It’s old enough to be considered old, but still new enough to actually be recognized by today’s pop culture. Now I just need to figure out how to put more of Paddy’s background and character into the comic and keep it somewhat entertaining.
Paddy: OK. So I push the top button to make it light up
Narrator: Yup
Paddy: then, using this thing I can either…
Narrator: yes…
Paddy: touch the green thing and put in the number I want to dial…
Paddy: or, I can touch the picture of the person I want to call…
Paddy: and then press the new green thing…
Narrator: See, you’ve got it!
Paddy: and it will make the call to that person
Narrator: exactly
Paddy: how is this more convenient again?
Patrick: How is what more convenient?