A book, short story, treatment, or work-in-progress script can become a comic or animated project without relying on traditional gatekeepers. Indie creators and producers discuss current pathways for adaptation and production, including building creator-led pipelines and reaching audiences through newer distribution channels. Panelists S. G. Blaise (founder/CCO, Lilac Grove Entertainment), Kris Longo (CEO/publisher, PANICK Publishing), Lesley Worton (president/head of production, Tongal Productions), David Derks (TV executive, cartoonist, and pop culture commentator), Eric Elder (founder/executive producer, OW! Entertainment), and Heidi MacDonald (editor-in-chief, Comics Beat) share practical guidance on developing, packaging, and positioning projects for comics and animation. Moderated by James David Powell (writer and producer, BlerdHive).
