Hi, folks!
I am a two-time Emmy nominated writer/producer and cartoonist. My work includes character animation (I was mentored by the talented team at Bill Melendez Productions, creators of the classic Peanuts TV specials and films) and live action films (Freedom Dance with Golden Globe winner Mariska Hargitay and Old School New School with Emmy winner Brian Cox).
Years ago I compiled lessons I learned about character development, narrative structure, and storytelling, and began teaching classes in cartoon storytelling. (I also offer private tutor sessions in person and online.) My classes help participants of all ages explore within, using feelings and personal experience to create believable cartoon stories full of life, meaning, personal insight, and heart.
Here’s what participants are saying about some recent cartoon creativity workshops.
Waubonsee Community College, Sept 2017
(Steven) had a great, clear manner of voicing ideas, clearly very experienced, time here was well thought out and planned. Really engaging!
I enjoyed both the visual aspect and story aspect of the class, how it combines the two together.
Timing was perfect, not too short, not too long. Steven was easy to understand and listen to and FANTASTIC too! Nice was to start a Saturday morning.
Great presentation style. Covered areas I didn’t expect relating to cartooning. Would rate this instructor as Fantastic!
Loved the mix of theory and practice. Wasn’t expecting the creativity lessons, but they were fantastic. I didn’t really know what to expect, but was hoping to be inspired as a picture book author – and I was! Thank you for a very interesting experience.
I loved this course and I would love more…
Course was very helpful and inspirational.
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Second City, Chicago, IL, Sept 17, 2016
I wanted to say that I really enjoyed taking your class and have already told others that they should have taken it as well
The exercises were very helpful – as someone who doesn’t come from a creative background I found them readily applicable, and I like the fact that they force me to lay down the groundwork first before getting into detail
Cartoonist Steven Fischer present cartoon storytelling at The Second City Training Center, Chicago.
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Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, IL, Sept 10, 2016
I have never been to such an awesome workshop about art like this one. It was really neat connecting with the other artists and like-minded people. I always thought that I could not draw but you definitely proved me wrong!
I discovered I can draw and I didn’t know it!
He gets a 5-star review! Excellent.
Great basic understanding of cartoons for beginners.
Steven is very inspiring and encouraging, enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
****
Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, IL, March 2016
The best part about the course to me was the connectivity both in the overall arc of the lesson and the individualized attention we were given. [Steven] is very kind.
Well presented. Thought provoking!
I was very inspired
Different than what I expected, worked on story ideas and characters. It took a deeper dive into the creation of animated stories. Exercises were interesting.
Class was too short!
Steven Fischer presents cartoon storytelling!
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University of Debrecen, Hungary, Fall 2014
I truly enjoyed your classes and feel honored that I have had the opportunity to attend them. -Barney B.
Cartoonist and Fulbright Award recipient Steven Fischer with friend and host Tibor Glant at University of Debrecen, Hungary, 2014.
Cartoonist and Fulbright Award recipient Steven Fischer presents Cartoon Storytelling at University of Debrecen, Hungary, 2014.
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Northwestern University (Introduction to Cartoon Storytelling) 2014
I want to say thanks for teaching the class, I really enjoyed the past five Tuesdays! -Thomas P.
I still do thank you for all the illustration skills you taught me! I’m still practicing and making artworks these days, too. 🙂 Have a great weekend! -Jae Y.
Cartoonist Steven Fischer presents cartoon storytelling!
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Waubonsee Community College, September 2014
Thanks so much for coming out to Sugar Grove last evening to share your energy and passion for creating! Thanks again! Thanks again Steven. You really do have a unique approach to your work! -Kailyne W.
I just wanted to say thank you very much for taking the time to teach us some of your techniques for coming up with characters and story-lines. It was very helpful! As a writing TV major I’m always looking for ways to come up with ideas since inspiration can be so fickle sometimes. -Melinda H.
Very approachable. Hands-on creative and fun. Very interesting and inspiring.
[Steven] really presented ideas and techniques I hadn’t expected from the class.
[Steven] made the class very relatable and easy to understand for everyone. This made the class extremely fun and enjoyable.
I liked the abstract angle this course took.
The course provided me with thought-provoking information.
It really inspired a healthy environment for the creative thinking process.
Very good presenter/speaker. Very knowledgeable.
It was a great blend of information and activity. Very fun time.
I would highly recommend the course for anyone who wants to create a unique story.
Old School, New School 