OTT & Transmedia

The place to discuss, share content and offer tips and advice to OTT - "Over the Top" streaming and Transmedia – the technique of telling a single story or story across multiple platforms including, but not limited to, games, books, events, films and television. 

Ask Me Anything - FREE Virtual Webcast Now Available On Demand

Ask Me Anything - FREE Virtual Webcast Now Available On Demand

Available for Immediate Download

What’s up, Creative Army!

As I prepare to head off to the Cannes Film Festival for our 10th Annual Education Partnership with the Marche du Film, I'm thrilled to announce that my "Ask Me Anything" session is now live to download and watch for FREE. In this 2 hour jam-packed Ask Me Anything session and I'll provide a couple of hours of no-holds-barred shop talk to get you ready to conquer your entertainment career. Again, all creatives and pros are welcome to watch no matter your profession(s), skill level, or geographical location.

Here's just SOME of what we go over in this jam-packed 2 hour AMA!

  • What is the current state of streamers?
  • Will there be more consolidation of streamers?
  • ANORA’s Sean Baker said “Keep making movies for the big screen” Do you agree?
  • Is the $10-$15 million feature film market opening back up?
  • How is AI going to affect the film industry?
  • Is YouTube taking over the entertainment industry?
  • Is there crossover between influencer culture and film culture?
  • Will LA land its new tax incentive proposals?
  • Why did you produce films in Costa Rica & Columbia?
  • Do you think California Tax Credits will pass?
  • How can international creatives use Stage 32 to break into the U.S. market or collaborate on cross-border projects?
  • Thoughts on Robert Rodriguez and Eli Roth bringing on fans as investors and own profit participation in their films?
  • Was Quibi too early to market?
  • Is Disney looking for Material?
  • What are the Top 3 features on Stage 32 to help connect with industry professionals?
  • I was attacked on X (formerly Twitter), what are your thoughts?
  • Thoughts on SINNERS and its effect on the studio system
  • Do short films still matter?
  • Advice for attending markets like Cannes or AFM
  • Advice for networking as a creative
  • How to make authentic connections that matter
  • What beats should be in your pitch?
  • What is RB’s personal process of pitching?
  • What is the Stage 32 Writers’ Room?
  • How do you vet execs you work with on Stage 32?
  • I’ve won screenwriting contests, now what?
  • Advice for crippling fear of failure
  • How to choose what social media is right for you
  • The spec market is heating up – what should you write?
  • If I sell my script, can I keep the rights to my characters?
  • If my script becomes a sequel and I don’t write it, can I get paid on it?
  • Does Age Matter When Selling a Script?
  • Protecting Your project on a film slate
  • Who should I trust to read my script and give me notes?
  • How do I go about getting Script coverage?
  • How do I network as a composer?
  • How do I network as a creative based in the UK?
  • Stage 32 Success Story!

Now go get it....

RB


Geoff Hall
Stranger Things - dates announced!

You have been warned!! Here comes the last episodes of Stranger Things. With no pressure to watch them all before the finale on 1st January!

This is, I think, going to be amazing! Are you a fan? Who’s your favourite character? What’s your favourite episode?

https://youtu.be/QlYrNC_1Xmk...

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Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan yes, they all had an interesting character arc. I think the writing process must have been pretty intense and demanding. The Duffer Brothers have done excellently, to maintain the qual...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're right, Geoff Hall. I think the Duffer Brothers could do a prequel series if they want to. Or a sequel series with new characters and elements.

Ashley Renee Smith

I love this series so much, and while I can't wait for the final season, I'm also already sad to let it go.

My favorite character is Dustin, and my favorite episodes are The Massacre at Hawkins Lab, The Battle of Starcourt, and The Piggyback.

Geoff Hall

Ashley Renee Smith good choices, Ashley. There are so many good episodes to choose from. They have maintained a very high quality with the scripts and I think this may be due to the influence of Shawn...

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Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan that would be interesting, Maurice, but I wonder if the Duffer Brothers would want to move on to something new.

Geoff Hall
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

I’m looking forward to the next Benoit Blanc outing. This looks like it falls deeply into the gothic genre(!) and feels like a fun romp. I do love Daniel Craig in this role. How about you?

What’s your favourite Knives Out movie? What do you think of the trailer?

https://youtu.be/sRqU2276eaQ...

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Maurice Vaughan

Glass Onion is my favorite Knives Out movie, Geoff Hall. I'm even more excited for Wake Up Dead Man after watching the trailer! Having seen the first two movies, I'm sure Wake Up Dead Man is going to...

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Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan Hi Maurice, I love Glass Onion too. I love the whole set up on the island, but this one looks like it may take its place. I also love Craig’s Benoit Blanc. I wonder if Wake Up Dead Man...

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Maurice Vaughan

I'm not sure, but a theatrical release would be great, Geoff Hall!

Ashley Renee Smith
THE LAST OF US Season 2 and the Line Between Adaptation and Transmedia

With The Last of Us Season 2 having just wrapped with last Sunday’s season finale, the conversation is heating up again, not just about how closely HBO stuck to the source material, but about how this series blurs the lines between adaptation and transmedia storytelling.

Unlike a traditional adaptati...

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Maurice Vaughan

I watched the full gameplay for both Last of Us games, and I watched The Last of Us Season 1, Ashley Renee Smith. I'm looking forward to seeing Season 2!

I think The Last of Us qualifies as a true tran...

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Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg

Generally, IMO, there is no difference. Transmedia as a term, in most cases, really doesn't describe a thing separate from adaptation. It is, after all, adaptation by definition. For me, the only mean...

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Geoff Hall
The Sandman - season two

The Sandman season two has its Netflix release date.

I really enjoyed the first season and have been waiting for this for a long time.

How about you? Are you a fan of The Sandman? Who has been the best character so far?

https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/the-sandman-season-2-release-date-tease......

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'The Sandman' Sets Release Dates for Two-Part Final Season at Netflix, First Teaser Revealed
'The Sandman' Sets Release Dates for Two-Part Final Season at Netflix, First Teaser Revealed
"The Sandman" will come to its "thrilling" conclusion this summer on Netflix with a two-part release for its second and final season.
Maurice Vaughan

I think this is my first time hearing about The Sandman, Geoff Hall. I just added it to my watch list.

Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan ah, cool Maurice. It’s a Neil Gaiman story and it’s pretty darn wonderful!

Ashley Renee Smith

I’ve been waiting for this too! So excited to see The Sandman return! Season one really captured the tone and visual language of the comics in such a unique way. For me, Death was an absolute standout...

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Geoff Hall

Ashley Renee Smith me too, Ashley. I can’t wait to see how they round-off the series. Maybe that’s the reason for its success; that it has captured the original tone and visual language. Producers ada...

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Leonardo Ramirez
Free Stage 32 Community Open House at 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET

Are you new to Stage 32 or looking to get more out of your time here?

Join the FREE Stage 32 Community Open House this Monday, April 28th at 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET!

Learn how to build meaningful industry connections, explore resources, and get live tips for making Stage 32 work for you.

Register for...

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Geoff Hall
The Eternaut (El Eternauta)

I have just finished watching this series on Netflix and I've been absolutely wowed by it.

The Eternaut is an Argentinian series filmed in Buenos Aires. The story is an adaptation of Hector German Oesterheld's 1957 graphic novel, 'El Eternauta' (The Eternal). It is an iconic story of oppression and r...

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Maurice Vaughan

I'm looking forward to seeing The Eternaut, Geoff Hall. I'm a fan of dystopian stories. I don't think I've seen any dystopian films of the 50s and 60s. I'd like to though. And I'll like to write a dys...

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Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan cool, Maurice. It’s a great series. I think I need to purchase the graphic novel too!

Here's a dystopian film from 1961, The Day the Earth Caught Fire’:

https://youtu.be/IUFtgep9sj4...

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Maurice Vaughan

Thanks, Geoff Hall. I'll check out The Day the Earth Caught Fire. I didn't know The Eternaut was based off a graphic novel before your post. I see that a lot with movies. They're based off graphic nov...

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Ashley Renee Smith
Fallout and the Future of Transmedia: What’s Next?

Amazon’s Fallout series has been a massive win, not just for fans of the games but as a clear-cut success story for transmedia strategy. This new blog from MIDiA Research breaks down how Fallout is more than just a show, it’s a masterclass in expanding a preexisting IP into a new format without alie...

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Fallout is another transmedia hit, but the strategy needs to evolve
Fallout is another transmedia hit, but the strategy needs to evolve
Everyone was talking about the Super Mario Bros. Movie (The Mario movie ) and HBO's The Last of Us this time last year, and now Fallout has entered the mainstream thanks to the Amazon show. But, for g…
Maurice Vaughan

I know about the Fallout games, but I still need to watch the show, Ashley Renee Smith.

Breaking Bad inspired me. I'm outlining a Breaking Bad type TV series here and there that could go in the same di...

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Geoff Hall

Ashley Renee Smith wow, Ashley, this is a great report. I love that it highlights dovetailing the IP into differing media, not to do the same thing as say in the video game, but to increase the story'...

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Geoff Hall
Video-on-Demand Statistics By Region, Subscribers, Demographics And Revenue (2025)

Hi there,

I came across this article in one of my Google Alerts (it's a great way of staying on top of what's happening in the industry) and it offers a great overview of the VOD industry with some interesting snapshots. If you are into 'churn rates', then this article is for you!

Here's one bullet po...

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Video-on-Demand Statistics By Region, Subscribers, Demographics And Revenue (2025)
Video-on-Demand Statistics By Region, Subscribers, Demographics And Revenue (2025)
Video-on-Demand Statistics: India's VOD market is projected to be worth USD 4.2 billion by 2025, with an annual growth rate of 17.3%.
Maurice Vaughan

Thanks for sharing the article, Geoff Hall. I see people in that age range (18 to 34) say on social media that free streaming apps like Tubi have better libraries. I prefer streaming services without...

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Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan thanks Maurice. Yeah, I'm not a big fan of ads and it's interesting to read that there's a lot of people out there, who don't like the intrusion of ads when watching a programme or fil...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Geoff Hall, that 66% stat really jumped out at me too. It confirms what many in the industry have been observing: younger audiences are far more price-sensitive, and their tolerance for ads is higher...

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Geoff Hall

Ashley Renee Smith thanks, Ashley. Yes, I think if your audience is a young demographic, you should take that into consideration.

Ashley Renee Smith
What Minecraft’s Box Office Success Could Teach Hollywood About Adaptations

Starring Jack Black, Jason Momoa, and Danielle Brooks, A Minecraft Movie surprised everyone by raking in over $700 million within just a few weeks. Critics were skeptical, fans were divided, and yet, something about it worked.

This breakdown dives into why Minecraft succeeded where so many game-to-fi...

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Maurice Vaughan

Over $700 million in a few weeks is phenomenal, Ashley Renee Smith! I think studios and creators should prioritize what's unique about IPs when adapting them across media, like building anything you c...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Absolutely agree, Maurice Vaughan, it’s a great reminder that adaptation success often hinges on honoring the soul of the IP, not just the surface aesthetics. With Minecraft, the brilliance was in foc...

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Pat Alexander
Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Pat Alexander. I think the three biggest things that determine if a video game adaptation is really successful or not are:

1. If the movie captures the essence of the game, like the article says,...

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Ashley Renee Smith
Pop-Up Content Experiences

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...

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Maurice Vaughan

Indie creators could do virtual pop-up experiences on social media and their websites, Ashley Renee Smith. Maybe one scene of a short film, web series, graphic novel, etc.

Holly Fouche

Ashley Renee Smith I mean...the possibilities are endless with the right team, but I think I'd want to try mailboxes full of unique lore and details at one point. Or at the very least bring back that...

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Geoff Hall

Ashley Renee Smith it’s something that I’ve been thinking about for a long time. Maybe for the animated series, but after I’ve written that, the stuff I’m writing could have different kind of pop-ups...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Holly Fouche the mailbox concept is such a fun, immersive way to deliver lore and make an audience feel like they’re part of the world. It’s that kind of tactile, layered storytelling that sticks with...

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Waheed Rehman
Why Star Wars Is Failing (And It's the Worldbuilding, Not the Fans)

There’s a quiet tragedy unfolding in a galaxy far, far away.

It’s not the recycled plotlines. It’s not even the divisive sequels. It's not the fans being "too nostalgic" or the actors being harassed online. It’s something more fundamental — something that once made Star Wars feel alive and now makes...

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Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg

Fans can't make a film franchise fail any more than customers of a burger franchise. Only the out of touch producers, directors and corporate marketing people steer it into failure.

Pat Savage

Waheed Rehman The world didn't explain itself because it didn’t need to. You felt it. What an excellent read on the Star Wars franchise and so much more! Bravo

Mark Deuce

Sadly Kathleen Kennedy has destroyed this franchise just like all of the others under her care. Star Wars will never recover sadly. Folks have moved on from the nonsense.

Preston Poulter

Preach it Waheed Rehman

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