A new animated children’s series anticipated to debut this year will not be airing on traditional TV networks or streaming services. Instead, We Ghosted Media, a production studio, is planning to release the series on a decentralized web platform utilizing blockchain technology, which will involve a crypto wallet.
We Ghosted Media was founded by Chris Jammal, an assistant director for “Bob’s Burgers,” and Jaclynn Demas, a producer of the children’s show “Peg + Cat.” The studio is opting for a decentralized method, commonly referred to as web3, to launch their content. On Friday, the studio announced its collaboration with Lamina1 to launch a new animated children’s series called “Owen Nowhere.”
Lamina1, established by “Snow Crash” author Neal Stephenson in 2022, is a Layer 1 blockchain platform designed to help creators protect, control, and monetize their intellectual property, with a wider mission of building an open metaverse. Stephenson, who coined the term ‘metaverse’ in his 1992 novel, envisions a virtual world where users have lifelike 3D avatars.
Despite blockchain technology and the metaverse being popular terms in the tech industry, they have yet to achieve widespread adoption. Introducing a children’s show in this space is considered a bold move, especially since the production studio needs to find ways for children to navigate a platform that uses a crypto wallet.
Jammal and Demas are optimistic about the freedom offered by the decentralized platform, which allows for user interaction and participation as a potential draw for audiences.
“Owen Nowhere” centers on Owen B. Gloom, a preteen aspiring content creator on a family road trip, documenting unique tourist attractions. The series features Owen’s entertaining family dynamic, including adoptive vampire parents, a magical transforming vehicle, a pet cat, and a fish in a stroller. Jammal and Demas expressed to TechCrunch that the project represents their commitment to setting a “new standard for the future of children’s entertainment in the decentralized era.”
The project is to be developed on Lamina1’s forthcoming Spaces platform, which will allow creators to construct virtual worlds. In these spaces, various interactive experiences and content formats — including 2D, 3D, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) — can be created.
Jammal and Demas envision “Owen Nowhere” as an immersive experience where fans can engage and contribute ideas for the series. The virtual space will offer exclusive behind-the-scenes content, collectible digital items, and community-driven experiences such as voting. The production studio sees significant value in enabling viewers to influence the storyline by suggesting upcoming travel destinations for the family.
While they anticipate the show will resonate with audiences, challenges such as persuading parents to manage a crypto wallet for children remain. Concerns persist that even indirect exposure to financial concepts may lead to risks such as manipulation or loss, despite parental control over the crypto wallet.
Some parents, however, are becoming more open to such technologies, with activities like crypto summer camps for young children and platforms like Zigazoo introducing NFTs for well-known intellectual properties gaining traction.
Rebecca Barkin, CEO of Lamina1, noted that discussions are ongoing about permissions and protections needed, acknowledging that the company is prepared to adapt and address these as necessary. The digital assets for Owen Nowhere serve as a means for fans to engage with the show and contribute financially through ownership of digital collectibles, thus creating a community of supporters.
Barkin explained that the tokens could act as loyalty tokens, focusing on access and rewarding creative community contributions, rather than the conventional aspects of cryptocurrency trading. While primarily aimed at children and pre-teens, the series is also designed to attract an adult audience, similar to the appeal of “Bob’s Burgers.”
The team recognizes the importance of transparency and potentially implementing parental controls to engage their entire audience. Lamina1’s Spaces is expected to launch in the fall, alongside “Artefact” by visual effects company Wētā, known for work on the “Lord of the Rings” films.
To date, Lamina1 has raised $9 million, with notable investors including LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and Bloq co-founder Matthew Roszak.
