Long Form

5-4-3-2-1
Introduction - We are going to tell you a story based on a one word suggestion from the audience. We will then do five scenes based on that suggestion, at the end you the audience will vote on which scene won't continue. Then the four remaining scenes will progress and at the end you will eliminate another and so on until one scene is remaining.
Description - Similar to the harold, the scenes should start out having almost nothing to do with each other. As they go along, they should start to connect to one another. After the end of the fourth round the two remaining scenes should merge together into the final scene.
Variations - Like the harold, some like to use a pattern game to get ideas for the scenes.

Goon River
Introduction - Were going to tell you the story of a fictional small town. May I have the name of this small town, and then the occupations of each of our characters here.
Description - The concept of this game is seeing the stories of these characters develop as the story continues. After the askfors are complete, each character steps forward with a monologue about their character and the history thereof. Then scenes begin involving the characters and as they interact, the story builds and more scenes can come as a result. The process of how the scenes come is pretty open and is up to the indivdual troupe.
Variations -

Harold
Introduction -We are going to tell you a story based on a simple audience suggestion, May I have a one word suggestion?
Description - This is the most probably the most common and widely used long form game. There are so many different ways of doing this, but here is one. After the suggestion, a pattern game is played. Then two people step forward and start a scene based on something said during the pattern game. Two more scenes are played, preferably very different from each other. Then a short form game is played as a break, and then three more scenes are played. This time the scenes start to connect slightly to each other. Then another short form game, then the final round where all the scenes come to a close and tie into each other.
Variations - As I said, there are limitless variations to this long form. Some have started with monologues instead of pattern game, or some other form of association game can be used. The number of scenes can vary, and some can finish early.

Meanwhile
Introduction - This game will involve directions from the host as to where the next scene will come from.
Description - This game is a take off of line "Meanwhile, back on the ranch ..." Basically after a one word suggestion from the audience, a scene starts, then as it is winding down, or after a cue from one of the players. The host will say "Meanwhile ..." and set up the next scene. The host can introduce a new character "Meanwhile, John's wife waits patently at home" or a new location "Meanwhile, at the warehouse, Bill's men prepare for the attack". As with all longforms, emphasis should be on telling a good story.
Variations - The audience can write down some "meanwhiles" and the host can use them as he/she sees fit.

Show Me That
Introduction - This game will involve directions from the host as to where the next scene will come from.
Description - This game is similar to meanwhile, except that the players cue all of the scene changes. Basically after a one word suggestion from the audience, a scene starts, preferably one with a nostalgic tone (two old men reminising about the old times, or something) when someone mentions something about an even in the past or something they are about to do, the host can say, "Show me That".
Variations - None

To submit an long form game, e-mail me at garmaniac@hotmail.com