OTT & Transmedia

"Makes me wonder what it is with my appetite for such fare currently"

Sci-fi is an escape from reality that also reflects that reality. So many sci-fi movies of the past would feel awkward now since they were simultaneously far off and anchored in their time. This also reflects the authors' mindsets. For example, "Them!" and "Godzilla" are reflections of fears in the then new nuclear age, while also reflecting the age-old fear of out of control wild animals.

"do I hate the state of the world so much that I wish I could get off this planet? Who knows?"

I don't know, but I have a guess. My first sci-fi script in 2020 was both nostalgia and a desire for a more exciting life. I can't travel physically, nor go back to old childhood stomping grounds, so I wrote a story originating from my desire for that. It has since taken some new shapes in revisions, but I guess the point is, if you can't travel for real, travel by story. Reading and writing. Some of the best stories aren't by professional authors, but by those who dreamed during their own regular life.

All great points Michael Dzurak, I definitely never thought of sci-fi as both an escape and a reflection (maybe I took it for granted?). But about travelling by story, that's very much true. It's why my stuff is drenched in nostalgia for a time I either knew or didn't, while also somewhat forward-thinking. It's hard to explain lol but no matter what it's my world~

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh Adventure stories are my favorite too, especially sci‑fi! I always end up circling back to big, high‑concept journeys. Fantasy is my main go‑to though, so I love returning to those worlds whenever I can.

Same Dwayne Williams 2, I love world-building and getting lost in them. Small wonder that I also enjoy travelling (and sucks that I can't travel as much as I'd like). Maybe a part of me feels bored with Earth and wants to imagine what else is out there.

I totally agree Banafsheh Esmailzadeh, it’s both an escape and a way to help others imagine new worlds! :)

Michael Dzurak Here are some: Argyle (2024); Star Wars : The High Republic (2021-present); The Shape Of Water (2017); The Abyss (1989) collaboration between James Cameron and Orson Scott Card. There are a few more, but they are all, including 2001, companion novels, not adaptations or true "transmedia" ideas. These prove the rule: true transmedia, though a wonderful idea for people who want to dream worlds, is not done in the real world. Each media is its own challenge with its own aesthetic and its own audience which does not necessarily go with the film audience. The development and marketing time and budget of such a project rises to literally an order of magnitude beyond the budget of a single part of it. The one "exception" above emphasizes this. Star Wars The HIgh Republic was developed as a wide transmedia franchise from the beginning. However, the franchise has a billion dollars to work with and near 50 years of multimedia and transmedia already IP behind it. The others I found all have A-list or beyond A-list leaders in charge.

That's very interesting. I actually don't know much about the Star Wars expanded universe, but it's just massive.

I also just realized that while First Blood (1982) is a book to scren adaptation, but Rambo: First Blood, part II and Rambo are novelizations, albeit by the same author, David Morrell. These read like an almost parallel universe as they're essentially the same story, but with many surface changes and a lot more detail. As you put it, "each media is its own challenge with its own aesthetic and its own audience which does not necessarily go with the film audience."

I actually read Rambo: First Blood, part II (wild title!) when my parents still barred me from R-rated movies. I picked it up for 50 cents at a used book sale. For a timid 12 year old, it was... an interesting read.

Interesting breakdown Michael Dzurak! For simultaneous book and film, The Princess Bride is close. Kubrick and Clarke worked separately after a point. That's why the monolith is a rectangle in the film and a pyramid in the book. Doom novels are a deep cut. I didn't know those existed. Thanks for sharing.

Ah, yes I remember The Princess Bride, Sam Rivera. The movie adaptation is even framed as a boy being read the book by his grandfather, which I found interesting. The book by William Goldman is itself an adaptation of sorts and he wrote the screenplay for the 1987 film. Metafictional.

My niche IP I have and own-- either my "Pirate Queen's Rebellion" sci-fi or my romdramedy- "Blue Moon Marriage Mayhem."

The recent horror game that's not too long and almost entirely based on atmosphere not plot, Exit 8, had a 2025 feature length film adaption.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlRQ1oatOt8

That’s a great showing, Cynna Ael, and I agree with you! The lore‑first expansion approach really does keep the project fun. For me, I figured I might as well build an IP bible for each project as a new writer, so I can adapt to the changing environment. It’s the best way for the industry to clearly see the project, and it helps everything move efficiently while also showing that you fully understand your own world.

A beta system for this just launched. It's called storyversestream and it's based on IP with lore. It's free to get up and moving for any creator with a story or prosuct.

I never saw or played the Exit 8 video game, but I saw its film adaptation earlier this year and quite liked that. Intriguing concept and a suspenseful story with a few unexpected twists developments. I don't really consider the film to be primarily a horror film in a conventional sense, though it has a couple jump scares and creepy scenes.

Adam Spencer Let me be brutally honest. I have two degrees, still work in the convoluted and mystical world of entertainment law, am the COO of a quantum compute startup, and have been in the film industry since 1995 and on so-called transmedia projects since 2004. With that, it took me three slow reads and an examination of your website to figure out what you are saying here. I am still not sure. Is this sales copy? Is it supposed to explain what you are trying to do? It feels like a AI generated explanation of an academic approach to merchandising that tries to convert a product to a transmedia experience.

I hear you on the clarity. This is not academic framing or theoretical merchandising. It is a physical design approach. Grottenaar and the other cities are built as entry points into the story. The model is something you build and explore, where the structure and details reflect the world’s history and biology. The goal is simple. Engagement through building and interaction, not just display. If that did not come through clearly, that is on me. The idea itself is concrete and execution driven.

I've seen games on flight, but it was pretty basic games like solitaire and the like. There was an option to network seats and play against and/or with someone, such as for poker.

However, getting a better computer system and a suite of more sophisticated games, there could be an inflight server for say Mario Kart or Wii Bowling and other G-rated multiplayer classics. Doom is awesome, but it'll likely off put those who don't want to see violent content flashing one seat over.

That’s actually a pretty cool idea, especially for long haul flights where people get bored after a few hours. Having access to proper games instead of just movies would definitely make the time go faster, and unreleased demos could be a big draw if done right. I think people would try it, especially if the pricing stays low like you mentioned. It could even connect with digital ecosystems a bit, like letting players link rewards or accounts they already use, I was reading https://cryptopayingnz.com/buy-cryptocurrency-nz/swyftx-nz-review/ recently and it made me think how crypto payments or in flight credits could fit into something like this and make it feel more modern.

The main challenges I see are hardware and maintenance, because running AAA games smoothly would need solid onboard systems, plus controllers, updates, and making sure everything works without issues during the flight. Licensing could also get complicated if you are offering unreleased content. But if airlines partnered directly with studios, it could actually turn into a nice extra revenue stream.

Yeah, I agree, there can definitely be distractions. Geoff Hall It is important to understand your creative goals, so you can recognize which voices genuinely support your story and discern which ones carry real experience and credibility.

Generally speaking, I ask myself whether a voice can be considered as "reasonable" under the auspices of what passes for a standard conversational tone, unless the voice is meant to utterly bisect others, which also has its place. Voices are like the threads in a tapestry; they need to weave around one another to complete a picture.

AJ McNamara I like that AJ: “Voices are like the threads in a tapestry; they need to weave around one another to complete a picture.”

Good reminder! The story comes first, not your attachment to a scene. I recently cut a joke I loved because it served me, not the character. The scene breathes better now. What's one thing you've let go of that helped your script?

That’s a great example, Sam Rivera! One thing I recently adjusted was refining some of my backstories to set up stronger franchise potential, and I also reworked a world‑building mechanic that helped the larger story world connect more clearly.

Yes.

Debbie Croysdale Really well put. I think the biggest shift in adaptation is moving from internal experience to external expression. What works on the page often has to be reimagined visually rather than translated directly.

And like you mentioned, practical constraints (budget, location, regulations) quietly shape storytelling more than audiences realize. It becomes less about “faithfulness” and more about capturing the core emotional truth in a different medium.

The HouseMaid- changed the ending from the book. That said, it was still was an amazing story. I actually loved how they adapted the book to movie.

I think Sherlock Holmes has suffered enough and should be given a decent and permanent burial.

Hi, I've adapted three novels (two best sellers) to screenplays: Into the Beautiful North by Luis Urrea, In the Shadow of the Angel by Kathryn Blair and Zapatista by Peter Ross. They all went smoothly. However my biggest concern was losing options and producers switching gears on me and wanting to produce a limited series and I didn't have the TV or Streaming rights. One author increased the option amount when the option ran out and I was very close to getting it produced. Another author wouldn't extend the option, again very close to getting it produced. Both novels ended up never being produced. Hoping the "third time's a charm" with mystery -thriller, Zapatista. It's a tough game. However I love adapting novels and I'm pretty good at it.

This is great to read! Thank you for sharing this and I find this so much more interesting this the company is Dutch founded and working on a global scale!

This is tough because I think it depends on how you look at it- if we're looking at non-canon then made canon-- Din Djarin- the Mandalorian. Why? Because he's not in the original trilogy, but because of him- we get Grogu, we have Boba Fett back, and we have Fenec Shand once more. I love Fenec. I love how they've not only become beloved, but part of a universe that spans not just eras, but also expands the Star Wars transmedia universe.

Laura Hammer I honestly don't see how merchandising qualifies as transmedia.

Achmad, this is a smart approach, thinking about character design with merchandising in mind early on can really strengthen the long-term franchise potential. As you continue developing, Stage 32’s pitch sessions and industry connections can help position both the series and its commercial viability, and we’re always here to support you!

Thank you so much, Laquan! I really appreciate your support. I believe that a great story should always have a strong foundation for a franchise. Excited to keep developing this further!

Hey Achmad, this is Ashley from the Stage 32 team. I just wanted to let you know I moved your post from Animation to OTT & Transmedia , as it fits much better there. Let me know if you have any questions, and all the best to you!

That's smart—thinking about merch during character design rather than as an afterthought. A character that works as a plushie usually has strong, recognizable shapes and a clear emotional hook. Are you designing with a specific age demographic in mind for the plush line?

These are very adorable.