Formats Unpacked

Formats Unpacked is a newsletter by the creative team at Storythings.

Industry experts unpack one of their favourite formats by answering one simple question: What’s the magic that makes it special?

Want to know what makes formats work? Dive into our archive ⬇️

1 hour ago

Formats Unpacked: How to Fail With Elizabeth Day

How a format uses vulnerability to foster intimate conversation

Hugh Garry

Feb 06, 2025

Formats Unpacked: You Heard It Here First

How to create a format that is perfect for the platform

Hugh Garry

Dec 05, 2024

Formats Unpacked: Six at 6

How a format makes complex ideas stick

Hugh Garry

Oct 31, 2024

Formats Unpacked: Nick Cave's The Red Hand Files

How a format uses a newsletter to create intimacy with the audience

Hugh Garry

Oct 10, 2024

Formats Unpacked: Tetris

How unpredictability and rising tension makes formats irresistible

Hugh Garry

Aug 15, 2024

Formats Unpacked: The Athletic's Daily Football Briefing

What your industry, sector or organisation can learn from a daily football podcast

Hugh Garry

Aug 08, 2024

Formats Unpacked: Diagnosis

How a newspaper column about our health inspired a hit TV drama series

Hugh Garry

AudiencesAudiences

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Aug 01, 2024

Formats Unpacked: MasterClass

How a format turns a lecture into a piece of culture

Hugh Garry

Jul 11, 2024

Formats Unpacked: Long-Form Improv Comedy

How a format is built around listening, agreement and commitment

Hugh Garry

Jun 26, 2024

Formats Unpacked: WWE - Hell in a Cell

How a format already filled with drama, increases the intensity to epic levels

Hugh Garry

AudiencesAudiences

+2+2

Jun 13, 2024

Formats Unpacked: A Place in the Sun

How a format elevates quest over character to involve viewers time and time again

May 14, 2024

Formats Unpacked: Game Changer

Why the ultimate game show format is one that changes format every episode

Hugh Garry, +1

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