OTT & Transmedia

Pop-up experiences tied to film, TV, and streaming content have become huge in recent years, and it feels like we’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible in this space.

From Stranger Things pop-up stores, to The Last of Us immersive haunted house, to fan events recreating sets, costumes, or food from beloved shows: these experiences have become a powerful tool for transmedia storytelling and audience engagement.

They create something every fan wants: the chance to step inside the world they love.

For indie creators, this raises such an exciting question: how can smaller-scale or indie projects use this same strategy? What does a pop-up experience look like for a short film, a web series, or a graphic novel? It doesn’t have to be expensive, it just has to be memorable and rooted in story.

Have you attended a pop-up or immersive event connected to a show, movie, or game that stuck with you? Are you working on a project where this kind of experience could deepen audience connection?

Let’s talk creative ideas and examples: I’d love to hear how you all see pop-up experiences evolving in transmedia storytelling.

In person networking event next week in the East Valley.

RSVP here

Marvel and Star Wars. Two titans of transmedia storytelling. They’ve set the benchmark for how franchises can extend across film, television, comics, games, and beyond—building immersive worlds where fans can lose themselves for years. But here’s the thing: they aren’t the only ones doing it.

There are other franchises out there—smaller in scale, but no less ambitious—that are quietly redefining how stories live across multiple platforms. And if you’re someone who creates intellectual properties (IPs) or simply loves the art of world-building, these lesser-known examples offer some fascinating lessons.

Let’s dive into a few.

1. The Expanse

What started as a tabletop RPG setting evolved into a best-selling book series, which then became a critically acclaimed television show. But here’s what makes The Expanse remarkable: its transmedia evolution feels organic.

Every medium serves a unique purpose. The books deliver deep political and scientific nuance. The show leans into the human drama and visual spectacle. And the original RPG invites fans to create their own stories within the universe. Each platform enhances the core narrative rather than simply replicating it.

Takeaway: Transmedia storytelling works best when each platform adds a new dimension to the world. Repetition is boring. Expansion is where the magic happens.

2. The Witcher

Yes, Netflix made it a household name, but The Witcher has a far richer history. It began as a collection of short stories by Andrzej Sapkowski. The books inspired a globally successful video game franchise before finally making the leap to television.

What’s fascinating is how each iteration found its own audience. The books built a cult following in Eastern Europe. The games took that mythology global. And the Netflix series reached audiences who never picked up a game controller. Instead of one linear expansion, The Witcher is a case study in how IP can adapt to different audience appetites.

Takeaway: Different audiences live on different platforms. If you want your IP to thrive, meet people where they are—but give each group a reason to care.

3. Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal (1982) was a niche cult classic—a gorgeous but strange fantasy film that felt like it belonged to another world. Decades later, Age of Resistance on Netflix not only resurrected the IP but deepened it.

What stood out? The team didn’t stop at the show. They released behind-the-scenes documentaries, comic series expanding the lore, and an interactive online fan hub. For a franchise many assumed was a relic, this thoughtful transmedia approach transformed it into a living, breathing world.

Takeaway: Legacy IPs can have new life if you treat them with care. Fans don’t just want to consume; they want to explore and engage.

So, Why Does This Matter?

It’s easy to point to Marvel and Star Wars as the blueprints for transmedia success. They have the resources and reach that most of us can only dream about. But these lesser-known franchises prove something important:

A) You don’t need to be a billion-dollar machine to craft a compelling transmedia story.

B) What you do need is intentionality! Each platform should expand your world in a way that feels organic and essential.

For IP creators, this is an exciting time. Audiences are hungry for worlds they can explore across mediums and if you give them something worth diving into, they’ll stick around for the long haul.

Which lesser-known franchises do you think are pushing the boundaries of transmedia storytelling? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Apple TV+ has launched an innovative immersive series titled Adventure, designed specifically for the Apple Vision Pro. This groundbreaking series utilizes Apple Immersive Video technology, capturing 180-degree 8K recordings with Spatial Audio to transport viewers into the heart of each story.

Each episode of Adventure follows pioneering athletes as they undertake awe-inspiring challenges in some of the world’s most spectacular locations. For instance, the episode “Ice Dive” features freediver Ant Williams attempting to break the world record for swimming the longest distance under ice in a single breath. This immersive format allows viewers to experience the intensity and beauty of such feats firsthand.

The series exemplifies the evolving landscape of transmedia storytelling, where traditional narratives are enhanced through cutting-edge technology to create deeply engaging audience experiences.

Learn more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiTwkAU9n38

As creators and storytellers, how do you see immersive technologies like Apple Immersive Video influencing the future of narrative experiences? Are there particular stories or genres you believe are especially suited for this format? Let’s discuss the potential and challenges of integrating such technologies into our transmedia projects.

Hey Transmedia Creatives!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the potential of expanding a film concept into other formats like video games and comic books, not just as companion pieces, but as fully immersive extensions of the story.

So here’s a question for you all:

If your current film project was the center of a transmedia universe, what would the video game or comic version look like?

Would the video game explore untold backstories? Would the comic book dive into lore or alternate perspectives? How would each piece complement (but not duplicate) the story of your original film?

I’d love to hear:

What projects you’re working on that could lend themselves to this kind of expansion?

How you’d approach adapting your world across mediums?

What challenges or successes you’ve had exploring multiple formats?

Let’s inspire each other to think bigger and broader when it comes to storytelling.

And if you’re actively developing a transmedia concept and want help navigating the right connections or resources, definitely reach out to our Stage 32 Success Team at [email protected]—they’re amazing at helping you find support for multi-platform storytelling.

Excited to hear what you’re building!

When people ask what I do as an IP architect, I tell them this: I build worlds—and make sure those worlds can stand the test of time.

World-building and intellectual property might seem like different things, but to me, they’re two sides of the same coin. Both are about creating something bigger than a single story or idea. They’re about crafting a universe that feels real, one that can grow and evolve while staying true to itself.

Here’s how I see it:

It Starts with a Solid Foundation: Every great fictional world needs a structure that holds everything together. When I approach IP, I think about how each piece fits into a larger framework. What are the rules? What’s the core idea? Without a clear foundation, things fall apart.

Room to Grow: The best worlds aren’t static. They change. They adapt. I build IP frameworks with that same mindset—making sure ideas can expand into new stories, new formats, and new platforms. If you do it right, your world can live beyond the page or screen without losing its essence.

Protecting the Heart of the Story: Just like a world’s lore needs to stay consistent, so does its intellectual property. My job is to protect the core vision—whether that means creating legal safeguards or building internal guidelines—so that no matter how much the world expands, it stays true to itself.

Balancing Structure and Creativity: Creativity thrives with the right amount of structure. Too much, and you stifle new ideas. Too little, and things become chaotic. I’m always working to strike that balance—building frameworks that give creators freedom while keeping everything connected and secure.

At the end of the day, being an IP architect isn’t just about legalities—it’s about building something that lasts. Whether it’s a fictional universe or a brand-new idea, my goal is to make sure it doesn’t just survive—it thrives.

What do you think? How do you approach building something that lasts? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

#WorldBuilding #IPArchitecture #Storytelling #CreativeProcess

I wanted to share some inspiring examples of transmedia storytelling that showcase the power of integrating multiple platforms to create immersive narratives:

Clockwork Watch: This collaborative transmedia project presents a retro-futurist steampunk vision of Victorian England. Launched in 2012, it unfolds through graphic novels, interactive promenade theatre, online adventures, and a feature film. The story invites participants to engage deeply, contributing to its evolving narrative.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clockwork_Watch

Bolton Storyworld: Codename Winterhill: An interactive thriller set in Bolton, this experience engages participants through text and voice messages, websites, puzzles, and videos over five days. It exemplifies how local stories can be expanded into immersive transmedia experiences.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolton_Storyworld:_Codename_Winterhill?u...

Secret Story Network: This initiative explores live interactive stories with audience participation, utilizing platforms like WhatsApp to create role-playing and collaborative experiences. It's a testament to how everyday technology can be harnessed for innovative storytelling.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Story_Network

These projects highlight the evolving landscape of storytelling, where creators and audiences collaborate across various media to build rich, engaging worlds. If you're interested in exploring or creating transmedia narratives, these examples offer valuable insights into the possibilities of this dynamic form of storytelling.

In today’s evolving entertainment landscape, multiplatform storytelling is becoming an essential strategy for creators looking to reach and engage diverse audiences. By expanding a story across film, television, digital media, books, podcasts, video games, and interactive experiences, storytellers can craft a richer, more immersive world while allowing audiences to engage through their preferred platforms.

This approach ensures that no matter where or how audiences consume content, they can still connect with the story and its universe. From films with companion web series to novels expanding the backstory of a video game, transmedia storytelling allows for deeper world-building and audience participation.

How are you incorporating multiplatform strategies into your projects? Do you think expanding a story across multiple mediums enhances its impact, or does it risk overextending the narrative? Let’s discuss!