I was your age once!

Published

31-7-2024

Type of Work

Creative Work - Inter-arts, multimedia

Advisors and Contributors

Gene Castillo ( Audio Recording )

Abstract

Intergenerational Connection and Australian Identity in I Was Your Age Once Introduction Intergenerational storytelling serves as a powerful mechanism for preserving familial bonds and cultural identity. I Was Your Age Once is an illustrated children's story presented as a narrated video, structured in verse, that explores thematic connections between generations. Through visual and auditory storytelling elements, the work highlights the continuity of shared experiences despite changes in societal and technological landscapes. Additionally, the project engages in a critical discussion on self-publishing, positioning itself as a challenge to traditional publishing paradigms. This paper examines the narrative, visual, and structural elements that contribute to the work’s representation of intergenerational connection, Australian identity, and independent creative dissemination.

Methods A qualitative textual and visual analysis was conducted to examine the narrative and aesthetic strategies employed in I Was Your Age Once. The study considers three primary elements: (1) the use of visual representations of Brisbane’s housing and historical technological context, (2) the narrative structure in verse and its role in emphasizing commonalities between generations, and (3) the work’s distribution model, which prioritizes self-publishing and digital dissemination. These elements were analyzed through thematic coding, focusing on intergenerational connectivity, cultural identity, and narrative accessibility in a digital storytelling framework.

Results Findings indicate that I Was Your Age Once successfully constructs an intergenerational dialogue through visual and linguistic storytelling devices. By juxtaposing past and present depictions of daily life, the story illustrates how common experiences—such as play, exploration, and curiosity—transcend generational divides. The distinctly Australian setting, characterized by local accents, architecture, and environmental cues, reinforces a sense of cultural specificity, grounding the narrative in a recognizable yet evolving landscape. Furthermore, the decision to release the work as a self-published digital video highlights shifting paradigms in contemporary storytelling, where creators utilize multimedia formats to reach audiences outside of traditional publishing constraints.

Discussion The study suggests that intergenerational storytelling in digital media offers new opportunities for audience engagement and cultural preservation. The use of verse as a storytelling medium not only enhances narrative rhythm and accessibility but also mirrors oral storytelling traditions, reinforcing the timeless nature of familial connections. Additionally, the visual representation of Brisbane’s urban and technological evolution allows audiences to recognize both continuity and change in their lived experiences, strengthening empathic engagement between generations. Finally, the work’s self-published model challenges the necessity of traditional publishing channels, demonstrating how digital platforms enable independent creators to control the dissemination of their narratives.

Conclusion By integrating narrative, visual, and digital storytelling strategies, I Was Your Age Once successfully bridges generational experiences while celebrating Australian cultural identity. The work underscores the value of self-publishing in expanding literary accessibility, emphasizing the potential of independent digital storytelling as a tool for fostering intergenerational connection. Future research could further explore how multimodal storytelling influences audience reception and how self-publishing impacts the representation of local narratives in children’s literature.

Notes

References

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Marc, R. (2024, July 31). I was your age once. YouTube. https://youtu.be/iwxGz15eh5Y?si=GnIC30BBCXYTWahZ

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Citation

Marc, R. (2024, July 31). I was your age once [YouTube]. SAE University College.

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