the 6 most essential long-form structures

[Mr. Stampede]

Oh man, if you had to pick the 6 most essential long-form structures, what would you say?

 

[morganphillips]

My desert island list:

• Harold
• Montage
• Monoscene
• La Ronde
• Deconstruction (monologue, scenic, interview, etc.)
• Organic (structure dictated by the suggestion)

Honorable mention:

Variations/combinations of any of the above.

 

[mike short]

You mean as in, if taught, a student would have a very solid foundation for then doing any long form show ever? Probably:

• Strict Harold
• The Sybil (solo improv)
• The Monoscene
• The Musical
• Organic
• Eventé

I figure learning these not only prepares a student for being able to handle anything thrown their way, but also how to communicate throwing anything to their teammates.

 

[qnarf]

to teach:
harold
bat
la ronde
two person scene
monoscene
montage

to perform:
whatever floats your boat.

 

[BrenttHarshman]

Harold, Montage, La Ronde, Monoscene, Armando, Organic

 

[goldfish boy]

I would say no structure is essential.

 

[rfeliciano]

My favorite improv to perform involves mixing some story and character arcs along with the usual idea-based pot so I'd have to include some formats that leave room for continuity and deviation from the game/Harold beats.

A good free form montage can follow and bring back characters and set-up and payoff arcs. My group uses clap edits to quickly jump between storylines and games in a free form style. It's fun to be able to play the game/idea and also to just throw an interesting character in a new situation or follow their arc. It's like playing with two tools and being able to follow whichever one is the most fun in the moment.

 

[DanMan83]

So what's the difference between an Organic and a free form Montage format?

 

[morganphillips]

So what's the difference between an Organic and a free form Montage format?

It probably depends on who you ask, but for me an Organic uses the (spontaneously created) form/structure itself as another creative element, while a Montage is usually content to just be a series of scenes.