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?

Formats Unpacked: Long-Form Improv Comedy

How a format is built around listening, agreement and commitment

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

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

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

How a format gets the world's biggest stars to eat hot chicken wings and answer even hotter questions?

How a format about music uses human stories to move your heart and your feet

How an interview format uses storytelling to make entrepreneur interviews relatable

How a format changed children's TV forever

How a format is used to ensure a brand's look and feel remains consistent

How a format uses visual design to connect readers in a visceral way

How a brutally honest YouTuber reinvented financial advice for Gen Z

How a format has built one of the most important archives in dance music