Interactive Storytelling - Investigating Multimedia and Interactivity to Create Innovative Narratives Based on Children's Literature (2nd Semester Presentation)

The main focus has shifted since the first semester's presentation due to very similar website and application findings of my original project idea and now instead solely focuses on the interactive narrative design to create an innovative application based on classic children's literature. The idea is to use multimedia possibilities to enhance the narrative flow and provide an interactive experience.

Good choice of literature is essential for a flourishing project development and in regard to personal origins and childhood memories, thorough research into German children’s literature was undertaken. I thereupon rediscovered a classic German children's book "Struwwelpeter" with which I share many childhood memories and particular the story of Johnny Head-In_Air led to great inspiration. Therefore the concept development will focus on the view of Johnny's daydreaming and merge the real and imaginative worlds in my project.

The Story of Johnny Head-in-Air

As he trudged along to school, It was always Johnny's rule To be looking at the sky And the clouds that floated by; But what just before him lay, In his way, Johnny never thought about; So that every one cried out "Look at little Johnny there, Little Johnny Head-In-Air!" Running just in Johnny's way Came a little dog one day; Johnny's eyes were still astray Up on high, In the sky; And he never heard them cry "Johnny, mind, the dog is nigh!" Bump! Dump! Down they fell, with such a thump, Dog and Johnny in a lump!

Once, with head as high as ever, Johnny walked beside the river. Johnny watched the swallows trying Which was cleverest at flying. Oh! what fun! Johnny watched the bright round sun Going in and coming out; This was all he thought about. So he strode on, only think! To the river's very brink, Where the bank was high and steep, And the water very deep; And the fishes, in a row, Stared to see him coming so. One step more! oh! sad to tell! Headlong in poor Johnny fell. And the fishes, in dismay, Wagged their tails and swam away.

There lay Johnny on his face, With his nice red writing-case; But, as they were passing by, Two strong men had heard him cry; And, with sticks, these two strong men Hooked poor Johnny out again.

Oh! you should have seen him shiver When they pulled him from the river. He was in a sorry plight! Dripping wet, and such a fright! Wet all over, everywhere, Clothes, and arms, and face, and hair: Johnny never will forget What it is to be so wet. And the fishes, one, two, three, Are come back again, you see; Up they came the moment after, To enjoy the fun and laughter. Each popped out his little head, And, to tease poor Johnny, said "Silly little Johnny, look, You have lost your writing-book!"

Please find the presentation with more detailed information and narrative design thoughts below.

Interactive Storytelling from samheisler