Long Form vs. Short Form

R

ricajonesy

New Member
#1
#1
I want to get beck into improv and am debating in where to start up again. I've done long form before and enjoyed that very much and haven't done short form at all and am a bit curious. For those of you that have done both, what is your preference and why? I took classes in NYC and now live in LA so if you could recommend places to take classes that would be awesome too :)
 
lefty

lefty

unhinged
#2
#2
I've done very very little short form and only one class that used it, but I'd would love to do more. Do what ever fits your schedule and your commute to it and all that logistical stuff. There are indie improv classes in LA in addition to the UCB, iO, 2nd City and Groundlings (and I'm guessing Comedysports). I'm not in LA so I can't like list any though. I don't know if FanaticSalon does classes, but I wish they did.
 
K

K15

New Member
#3
#3
I'm currently doing both, and they are both fun for different reasons. Sometimes I feel like short form has too many rules, and I love how long form gives you the freedom to do anything. I also love how long form can build up into something amazing & unexpected, while short form is more predictable and jokey. On the other hand, short form is all about getting to the fun right away, while long form feels slow by comparison (perform an opening, find the game, etc). I also find that short form improv is funny on a more consistent basis than long form.

What are your goals in improv? Are you an actor, or are you just looking to have fun?
 
G

goldfish boy

Otium cum dignitate
#5
#5
I don't have a preference. I would hate to do only one or the other.

I've never been to LA, but I can make recommendations based on instructors I've worked with elsewhere who are based in LA. For general improvisation training that you can apply to either longform or shortform, I recommend David Razowsky's and Gary Austin's classes. For shortform, ComedySportz LA.
 
H

high violet

New Member
#6
#6
If you are also interested in sketch and comedy "performance" I would check out the Groundlings. Their improv classes cover short form and character performance & eventually lead into their sketch program. The school is very competitive though and definitely not for some. It will be at least a few years before you can be a "performer" on their stage, which is if you even make it past the first few classes/cutoffs. Instruction is top notch though!!!

Comedy Sportz seems to have a better community of students/performers/family and more likelihood that you can be on a house team and perform at the theatre relatively soon.

Taking a smaller class is always good and usually a better choice when it comes to building relationships and friends in the community. The group Robert Downey Jr Jr were teaching a class in Burbank that was really affordable but I'm not sure if it was short or longform.

Hope that helps!
 
R

ricajonesy

New Member
#8
#8
K 15 I also enjoy the freedom, amazing and unexpected things that come from long form and especially love the truths that are revealed in it. I want to be a teacher and think that humor is a great tool to draw students into what is being taught as well as diffuse tense situations. I also feel really connected to people when I do improv and want to hone that ability to connect as well.
 
R

ricajonesy

New Member
#9
#9
Is this the same Corey Brown that did improv at the Magnet? I used to tech there occasionally a few years back. Do you still perform there? You were fun to watch :)
 
R

ricajonesy

New Member
#10
#10
goldfish boy said:
I don't have a preference. I would hate to do only one or the other.

I've never been to LA, but I can make recommendations based on instructors I've worked with elsewhere who are based in LA. For general improvisation training that you can apply to either longform or shortform, I recommend David Razowsky's and Gary Austin's classes. For shortform, ComedySportz LA.
Click to expand...
Dear Goldfish boy,
Where do David Razowsky and Gary Austin teach? Are they with a school or on their own?
 
R

ricajonesy

New Member
#11
#11
Hi High Violet :) Thank you for the tip about Robert Downey Jr. Jr. I had a crush on the actor when I was 5 so I'll definitely have to check out a group that is named after a junior version of him ;-) I want to build relationships and friendships in the community and will keep this in mind when checking out places.
 
lefty

lefty

unhinged
#12
#12
http://www.fanaticsalontheater.com/

It is a theater (converted from a hair salon) owned by Jeff Michalski-- who teaches indie improv classes and workshops. He's brilliant, and he incorporates like everything he picks up in theater or anywhere into what he teaches. I don't know if he teaches out of there or not-- I'm not in SoCal so I've never been there. But he travels a lot so I've taken a lot of stuff he's taught in NYC.
 
M

mikelibrarian

Lost in the stacks.
#13
#13
The Groundlings are world-renowned for their short form classes, but last time I checked there ws a two year waiting list for their level 3 classes, let alone getting onto a team.
 
mike short

mike short

Smart dog!
#15
#15
A coach of mine just said last night that he loves taking classes with teachers - in other words he chases after electives offered by the theaters. Since I know you've got at least up to level 4 done at a theater, you're definitely experienced enough. Maybe seeing what extra classes nearby theaters offer is a route you could take, instead of getting involved into a whole program?

I also have a handful of LA improv friends. I could put you in touch with them for a better local answer.
 
G

goldfish boy

Otium cum dignitate
#16
#16
ricajonesy said:
Dear Goldfish boy,
Where do David Razowsky and Gary Austin teach? Are they with a school or on their own?
Click to expand...
Gary Austin has his own Gary Austin Workshops, and I think he occasionally teaches through the Groundlings, which he founded. (His style is very different from the Groundlings style, though.)

Dave Razowsky teaches weekly drop-ins along with occasional special workshops. As far as I know, he always teaches on his own, though he may sometimes teach via iO or Second City.
 
R

ricajonesy

New Member
#17
#17
Make it count

goldfish boy said:
I don't have a preference. I would hate to do only one or the other.

I've never been to LA, but I can make recommendations based on instructors I've worked with elsewhere who are based in LA. For general improvisation training that you can apply to either longform or shortform, I recommend David Razowsky's and Gary Austin's classes. For shortform, ComedySportz LA.
Click to expand...
mikelibrarian said:
The Groundlings are world-renowned for their short form classes, but last time I checked there ws a two year waiting list for their level 3 classes, let alone getting onto a team.
Click to expand...
mikelibrarian I'm afraid to get lost in the stacks of the Groundlings. I think I'm at a point in my life where I want to contribute and matter. I have heard that their instructors are very good though.
 
R

ricajonesy

New Member
#18
#18
Long time no see Mike!

mike short said:
A coach of mine just said last night that he loves taking classes with teachers - in other words he chases after electives offered by the theaters. Since I know you've got at least up to level 4 done at a theater, you're definitely experienced enough. Maybe seeing what extra classes nearby theaters offer is a route you could take, instead of getting involved into a whole program?

I also have a handful of LA improv friends. I could put you in touch with them for a better local answer.
Click to expand...
Yes! :banana: Mike it's me!!!! :wave: How are you? How's Rap Crimes? :pop: Who's in it with you now? I would love to get in touch with your LA improv friends. My email is ericajones1@mac.com It's been great reading this forum and I've enjoyed reading your posts. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top