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The Harold

David Gane
David Gane

I was recently told by a student about the Harold, a structured improv game. Although much of it word-of-mouth, the Improv Wiki describes it as being constructed as an introduction, that lead to separate scenes, then back to a group scene, then repeat the separate/group scene cycle. It looks something like this:

  1. Opening
  2. Scenes A1, B1, C1
  3. Group Game
  4. Scenes A2, B2, C2
  5. Group Game
  6. Scenes A3, B3, C3

My student told me that mockumentary television shows like Modern Family often use this format—most likely since the writer rooms are filled with people coming out of improv.

I'd likely build it on top of WOARO to help build out the show.

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David Gane

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Co-writer of the Shepherd and Wolfe young adult mysteries, the internationally award-winning series, and teacher of storytelling and screenwriting.

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