Extended Setup Technique

An Extended Setup Technique is a preparatory narrative technique that builds extended setup prolonged context before extended setup story resolution.

• AKA: Long-Form Setup Method, Elaborate Preparation Technique, Extended Context Building, Prolonged Narrative Setup.
• Context:
  • It can (typically) accumulate Extended Setup Narrative Details over extended setup extended duration.
  • It can (typically) establish Extended Setup Multiple Context Layers before extended setup payoff.
  • It can (typically) build Extended Setup Audience Investment through extended setup time commitment.
  • It can (often) incorporate Extended Setup False Directions within extended setup setup phase.
  • It can (often) layer Extended Setup Seemingly Irrelevant Information for extended setup later significance.
  • It can (often) test Extended Setup Audience Patience as extended setup comedic strategy.
  • It can range from being a Moderate Extension to being an Extreme Prolongation, depending on its length ratio.
  • It can range from being a Linear Setup to being a Meandering Setup, depending on its path directness.
  • It can range from being a Single-Thread Setup to being a Multi-Thread Setup, depending on its narrative complexity.
  • It can range from being a Focused Setup to being a Digressive Setup, depending on its tangent frequency.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Comedy Extended Setups, such as:
    • Norm Macdonald Moth Joke, taking 12 minutes for simple punchline.
    • Aristocrats Joke, allowing infinite elaboration before title reveal.
    • Shaggy Dog Storys, maximizing setup-to-payoff ratio.
  • Drama Extended Setups, such as:
    • Slow-Burn Thrillers, building tension over entire acts.
    • Mystery Novel Setups, establishing characters before crime.
  • Magic Trick Setups, such as:
    • Penn and Teller Routines, creating elaborate preparations for simple tricks.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Quick Setup Technique, which minimizes preparation time.
  • In Media Res Opening, which skips initial setup.
  • One-Liner Format, which eliminates extended preparation.
• See: Shaggy Dog Storytelling Technique, Narrative Misdirection Technique, Comedic Timing Technique, Audience Expectation Management, Story Structure, Tension Building Technique, Patience Testing Comedy, Narrative Pacing, Setup-Punchline Structure.

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