Thrown in the Air

Thanks to very kind duo of @costlybood and @gender_goblin, I've been privileged to see Thrown Together streamed live by them a couple of times now; even more kindly, they've shared their thoughts with me about how they can structure improv storygames like this one for better effect. The following is taken from their words, with their permission and the inspiration they have taken from this post on story spines and Do It Now, a book of essays on narrative improv. The plain text below is taken directly from their words, the italics are my interpolations, and while everything refers to Thrown Together, the same ideas could be applied to many other storygames.

"We as players always somehow manage to have a rift way too early, and so @gender_goblin put together a draft of a story spine for ourselves to find a more natural story/relationship development. This is just for our purposes and probably isn't suitable for a ttrpg. So these are the beats @gender_goblin came up with:

1. Meet Cute (the first meeting)
The Meet Cute is the archetypal method for introducing new characters to an audience; in this case, you are both the writers and the audience. Try to picture yourself in the Writer's Room for this film, thrashing out the details of that important first scene, sharing ideas and honing in on the presentation that suits you both the most.

2. Brunch (the main characters discuss 'this person I met' with their close friends)
Shift the focus back to each character's personal life, so we can get a bit of exposition on their thoughts and make explicit anything that maybe hasn't been clear to the audience before, e.g. are they recovering from a failed relationship? Are they new to this city or their job? Are they actively pursuing a cause or just adrift and rudderless? The Brunch scene features in a lot of movies as an efficient way to spotlight significant issues that will need to be dealt with by the final scene.

3. Sparks (Something happens that solidifies the relationship between the leads)
Put the leads in a situation which amplifies their emotions and forces them to confront them: finding a common interest, running into each other in a social situation, being forced to share accommodation or transport, anything that makes them turn to each other and open up some more. Flirt, play, reveal, confess, do all the things that show you trust and like this other person.

4. Rift (something happens that pushes the mains apart)
A perfect romance is somewhat dull for the viewing audience; for whatever reason, we find it more emotionally satisfying when the leads have to overcome an obstacle in order to get together the way we have been rooting for them to do.  This usually comes in the form of a misunderstanding when one lead observes the other in a candid moment, the classic "Who was that you were with last night?" question. Just as often though, the rift is caused by differences of opinion that are rooted in each partner's sense of self, e.g. their politics, their morals, their desire for the future, etc.

5. The 'fuck why did I say that' scene (Where the mains realise they were dumb and they love each other)
Solo scenes of introspection, or pouring out their heart to others, this can be a bookend to the Brunch scene; in either case, they find a new perspective which puts their falling out in a new light, coming to a deeper understanding not only of their partner, but also of themselves. This might be the moment they quit their job, stand up to a manipulative relative or boss, say what's really been on their mind all this time or take the decisive action they have been postponing all through the film

6. Reunion (they come back together and kiss! I know that not all TT games should end like that, but that's the story we want to do)
The reconciliation: after fuming and stewing, venting to friends, family and colleagues, the leads find themselves back together, either by accident, by the design of those close to them or just of their own volition. Either of both of them comes to their senses and realise just how petty their falling out was when compared to their feelings for this other person; it's not essential to make an over-the-top, grand gesture, but it is a popular trope to play with and find your own unique twist on it.

Our plan is to take these story beats and slot the scene prompts into them, because 'defending your partner from secret assassins' hits different if it's the Meet Cute than if it's The Reunion, and gives us a clearer narrative direction to push in order to create an arc."