“How Far is Up? The Remediation Loop From Picture Book to App to Animated Film to Picture Book” presented by Sargeant
How Far is Up, 2015,short animated film © Betty Sargeant
Symposium:
Session Title:
- Memories
Presentation Title:
- How Far is Up? The Remediation Loop From Picture Book to App to Animated Film to Picture Book
Presenter(s):
Venue(s):
Abstract:
How Far is Up? is a story that was conceived as a picture book concept; yet it was initially developed as an interactive iPad storybook app, [7] it was then produced as a short animated film, and this story is currently being developed into a printed picture book. This presentation traces the evolutionary track of this creative work. The How Far is Up? story fuses fact with fiction; it teaches audiences about outer space. The protagonist is a young boy. Together with two friends he embarks on a bumbling escapade through our galaxy, and the trio struggles to find their way back to earth. This story is aimed at audiences aged four and above. I wrote and illustrated How Far is Up? I created the design, typography and interaction design for the app, and directed and animated the short film. I also performed the audio narration, and wrote and performed the musical score for both the app and the short film.
Through this project I endeavour to better understand how print and digital media can support entertainment, literary and learning experiences within both domestic and classroom settings. Western children are currently spending less time reading for pleasure and more time on mobile devices, particularly with game and video content. [1, 3] As a consequence, picture book makers and educators are seeking new avenues through which to engage their audience, and new ways in which they can connect children with literature. [5, 7, 8, 9] This presentation explores how children’s picture book stories can be remediated and delivered across a variety of platforms. Picture books can be produced in printed or digital form; particularly with developments in mobile interactive storybook apps. [9] Picture books can also be remediated for television or cinematic experiences. For example, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is a children’s story that has been produced as an app, a short film and a printed picture book. [2, 4] The success of the digital publications of this story led to it being produced in printed form.
The How Far is Up? project extends from this type of existing work offering entertainment and educational outcomes for picture book audiences. The How Far is Up? app offers a play-based story experience; the app also contains teacher’s notes that are curriculum linked. Classroom teachers can use the How Far is Up? film as an audio-visual aid when discussing the story’s themes with students. This suite of stories (the app, short film and the up-coming printed picture book), operate as a set of resources that may help children build deep connections with a literary work. Yet each of these aspects of the project can operate as stand-alone educational and entertainment experiences.
Audio-visual representations of picture book content borrow from traditional storybook making practices, and these digital works can engage contemporary children in literature. [5, 6, 7, 9] The popularity of some children’s digital publications has resulted in digital work being produced in printed picturebook format. There is currently a remediation loop within the field of picturebook-making; this involves innovative digital methods that borrow from, extend from, and spawn interest in traditional modes of practice.
