Is it wrong I don't want to study for four years?

fishbowlfreshman
Sun, 20 Oct 2013 09:19:19 +0000

As I understand it, those delineations between the different improv schools as to short form, long form, sketch, Harold, etc. really only start once a student gets into the upper level classes and they mainly manifest in the performance companies and teams. As a practical matter, most actors who aren’t gunning to do that only take one or two levels which pretty much involve the same Spolin games from what I understand. Of course, each has a different feel just like the colleges we talk about here. Plus, Second City says on their website that they are “The world’s largest school of improvisation and sketch comedy.”

Wikipedia actually has a pretty decent [entry on the genre.](Improvisational theatre - Wikipedia)

As to moving to LA, there is a great thread over on Backstage that I referenced when I made the move myself entitled [“Things You Wish Someone Had Told You.”](http://bbs.backstage.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/9131061/m/989105573/p/1) There’s some of the broiler plate loser cynicism you run into a lot from some of the posters, but pay special attention to what “donquixote” and “stumbleine” have to say. As I recall, stumbleine actually moved out straight from high school with the financial help of her parents to get started and has been successful although she also models. I think I know who she is. She hasn’t posted in awhile and most of her old posts have fallen into the archives, but I believe she said she started acting at 8 and had a few years of solid pre-professional training before she came plus she is a self-described “Total Miss Goody Two Shoes” and is “very driven, disciplined and spiritual.” OTOH, I would probably be whoring myself in a truck stop by now had I tried it …

Another one with a lot of great info for those planning to move out is the [LA Neighborhood Breakdown](http://bbs.backstage.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/9131061/m/772102712?r=772102712#772102712) thread.

And like I said in the first link I gave to an old CC thread, you’d probably be better off spending your time on that forum instead of a college board if you’re going to go for it at 18. Just keep in mind that the vast majority of “actors” over there - including the most prolific posters that seem to be on 24/7 - don’t really have careers. But, there is a lot good advice about living in LA and surviving the beginning levels of the Biz.