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.
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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.
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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 maximalist level theming a lot of 90s entertainment had back in the day.
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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 depending on the main theme of the film or series. As Holly Fouche said, the possibilities are endless.
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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 people. And yes to bringing back that bold, maximalist theming from the ’90s! With the right team, that kind of creativity could be so impactful today. I’d totally sign up for a mailbox full of wild world lore!