Serious Question to Follow Dan's Poll
- Thread starter risaroo
- Start date
Because
I found myself doing the same thing over and over in Chicago. I could have done that for the rest of my life and never gone any further. Had to see what might happen, it was time to shake things up.
Also, I couldn't get an agent to trip over me in Chicago. I think they had me in a little box marked "no" there and I couldn't get out.
In L.A. there are a ton more around to reject you.
I found myself doing the same thing over and over in Chicago. I could have done that for the rest of my life and never gone any further. Had to see what might happen, it was time to shake things up.
Also, I couldn't get an agent to trip over me in Chicago. I think they had me in a little box marked "no" there and I couldn't get out.
In L.A. there are a ton more around to reject you.
In addition to my poll in the other thread...
It was really a matter of what I wanted to do (Write and act in TV and Movies and do theater), and what the situation was in Chicago. The way I saw it, the actors I knew who were on TV who lived in Chicago only got bit parts on shows. Every big actor to come out of Chicago left Chicago to do it. Malkovitch and the rest of the Steppenwolf Gang left to make it big. The Saturday Night Live people left to make it big.
Or as Laurie Metcalf put it, she got tired of living in other people's basements.
Chicago is a great training groung with great theater, but you can't make a living at it, and the opportunities are limited. The biz happens either here in LA, or in NYC. And the reasons for training in Chicago are getting less and less now that Del is dead, Second City is everywhere, and Jo Forsberg is retired. The only reason I see is to study with Mick Napier at the Annoyance. But after that?
Here, you do a show and agents and Casting Directors come to see it. That's also the problem with theater out here because people do it for that reason and not for the love of it. But you can do both: love it and sell yourself. Here I see a future. I didn't see one in Chicago. Or, rather, one that I personally wanted. Everyone is different.
-Erik:up:
It was really a matter of what I wanted to do (Write and act in TV and Movies and do theater), and what the situation was in Chicago. The way I saw it, the actors I knew who were on TV who lived in Chicago only got bit parts on shows. Every big actor to come out of Chicago left Chicago to do it. Malkovitch and the rest of the Steppenwolf Gang left to make it big. The Saturday Night Live people left to make it big.
Or as Laurie Metcalf put it, she got tired of living in other people's basements.
Chicago is a great training groung with great theater, but you can't make a living at it, and the opportunities are limited. The biz happens either here in LA, or in NYC. And the reasons for training in Chicago are getting less and less now that Del is dead, Second City is everywhere, and Jo Forsberg is retired. The only reason I see is to study with Mick Napier at the Annoyance. But after that?
Here, you do a show and agents and Casting Directors come to see it. That's also the problem with theater out here because people do it for that reason and not for the love of it. But you can do both: love it and sell yourself. Here I see a future. I didn't see one in Chicago. Or, rather, one that I personally wanted. Everyone is different.
-Erik:up:
I think what people are saying about Chicago are true. I think it's very hard to "make it" here. You have to be on mainstage or at The Goodman or Steppenwolf, and even then, it's the exception and not the rule.
I think it's true that Chicago is a great place to come and learn your craft, whether it be improv or theater. It's a great place to learn and you learn with people that are passionate and amazing. But then I think if "making it" is what you want, or you want to be a paid actor....you have to leave.
I left Chicago to see what else was out there, not to become an actor. That's why I'm lucky enough to get to come back here. I saw what was out there and it rattled my brain, hurt my ears, seared my eyes and dirtied my soul. But I didn't go with a specific goal in mind.
I also think that it's definitely a plus to have studied here in Chicago. It brings respect not only in NYC and LA to be a Chicago actor or improviser, but you gotta leave the city to figure that out.
Chicago is where you get your feet wet and learn to swim. NYC and LA are the big wave pools that throw you around and make you sick, but oh so thrilling.
I'm very deep as you can see.
I think it's true that Chicago is a great place to come and learn your craft, whether it be improv or theater. It's a great place to learn and you learn with people that are passionate and amazing. But then I think if "making it" is what you want, or you want to be a paid actor....you have to leave.
I left Chicago to see what else was out there, not to become an actor. That's why I'm lucky enough to get to come back here. I saw what was out there and it rattled my brain, hurt my ears, seared my eyes and dirtied my soul. But I didn't go with a specific goal in mind.
I also think that it's definitely a plus to have studied here in Chicago. It brings respect not only in NYC and LA to be a Chicago actor or improviser, but you gotta leave the city to figure that out.
Chicago is where you get your feet wet and learn to swim. NYC and LA are the big wave pools that throw you around and make you sick, but oh so thrilling.
I'm very deep as you can see.
I came to New York for a job. I had always been curious about what it would be like to live here but, to be honest, I don't think I would've ever made the move without something concrete waiting for me. New York really is a great city but I always loved Chicago. I think that it's a great place to train and perform. I can also see why some people stay there for their entire careers. There may not be nearly as much TV and Film work as you would find in LA but if you're content doing stage and commercial work, I think it's as good a place as any. And the quality of life is great there.
New York is obviously an incredible theater community but you can do any kind of theater you want to do in Chicago. There's not much TV going on here, either, except for a few shows. There's more film work here than in Chicago but not anything like you'd find in LA.
I remember seeing a show on PBS called "Chicago On Stage", hosted by Dennis Franz. It was really interesting to hear people like Laurie Metcalf and John Mahoney talk about how respected Chicago actors are when they go elsewhere.
John Mahoney even told a funny story about an actress telling him he was the most generous actor she'd ever worked with in a play. He thanked her and asked her what he'd done to make her feel that way. She said, "You keep acting when you're facing upstage". He said he couldn't believe he was getting complimented on something that everyone he worked with in Chicago did automatically. He said that the kind of support and love for the work that you find in Chicago has proven incredibly valuable to him.
New York is obviously an incredible theater community but you can do any kind of theater you want to do in Chicago. There's not much TV going on here, either, except for a few shows. There's more film work here than in Chicago but not anything like you'd find in LA.
I remember seeing a show on PBS called "Chicago On Stage", hosted by Dennis Franz. It was really interesting to hear people like Laurie Metcalf and John Mahoney talk about how respected Chicago actors are when they go elsewhere.
John Mahoney even told a funny story about an actress telling him he was the most generous actor she'd ever worked with in a play. He thanked her and asked her what he'd done to make her feel that way. She said, "You keep acting when you're facing upstage". He said he couldn't believe he was getting complimented on something that everyone he worked with in Chicago did automatically. He said that the kind of support and love for the work that you find in Chicago has proven incredibly valuable to him.
Again, I'm new to this whole thing, but my feeling is that, as a society in general, we're losing our patience.
I think Chicago is a great place to learn without the pressure of "having to make it," which I think is more a curse than a blessing while one learns. When I was in art school there were FRESHMEN with their eye on galleries in New York that they wanted to try for, etc. While I think that having high goals is important, I think that the goal shouldn't be "making it" in the early stages. Shit! I enjoy struggling. I mean, I make decent money at my day job, but I have no prospects for making money at acting or improv (or photography - my chosen field) and I see this as freedom. I love showing up to work at my shitty bank job, knowing that, after work I can go play. I can shoot pictures and try to improve that, or I have rehearsal with my improv team. I'm 29 years old and am in no hurry to make it. I hope that someday I can make a living at one of the artforms I love. But I hope that before I do, I have honed my craft and practiced for a long time. I love New York City (not L.A.) but I'm content to live in Chicago in complete anonymity and practice the things that bring me joy.
Truly.
I think Chicago is a great place to learn without the pressure of "having to make it," which I think is more a curse than a blessing while one learns. When I was in art school there were FRESHMEN with their eye on galleries in New York that they wanted to try for, etc. While I think that having high goals is important, I think that the goal shouldn't be "making it" in the early stages. Shit! I enjoy struggling. I mean, I make decent money at my day job, but I have no prospects for making money at acting or improv (or photography - my chosen field) and I see this as freedom. I love showing up to work at my shitty bank job, knowing that, after work I can go play. I can shoot pictures and try to improve that, or I have rehearsal with my improv team. I'm 29 years old and am in no hurry to make it. I hope that someday I can make a living at one of the artforms I love. But I hope that before I do, I have honed my craft and practiced for a long time. I love New York City (not L.A.) but I'm content to live in Chicago in complete anonymity and practice the things that bring me joy.
Truly.
What "making it" really means.
I came out here to LA to "make it", but it's a very misunderstood phrase, IMHO. To me it means taking the steps necessary to get to where you become successful. You "make it" when you reach the level of success you want.
Success is all relative. You can say that Mike Myers is successful, and you can say that my friends in Chicago and Seattle who only want to do theater are successful. And you'd be right both times. The only important thing is to be happy with where you are and what you're doing.
To me success is getting to a "Kids in the Hall"/"UCB" status and teach. It could take years. I may never reach that level of cult status. But I'm taking the steps necessary and working my ass off. And to do that, I needed to move to a place where that could happen. (It's also interesting to note that my latest show is co-produced, co-starring and directed by Chicago people as well) At least I know that I'll go somewhere, even if it's obscure "Laurie Anderson" Status. I love her, but she's not mainstream at all. And that's fine with me.
-Erik:up:
I came out here to LA to "make it", but it's a very misunderstood phrase, IMHO. To me it means taking the steps necessary to get to where you become successful. You "make it" when you reach the level of success you want.
Success is all relative. You can say that Mike Myers is successful, and you can say that my friends in Chicago and Seattle who only want to do theater are successful. And you'd be right both times. The only important thing is to be happy with where you are and what you're doing.
To me success is getting to a "Kids in the Hall"/"UCB" status and teach. It could take years. I may never reach that level of cult status. But I'm taking the steps necessary and working my ass off. And to do that, I needed to move to a place where that could happen. (It's also interesting to note that my latest show is co-produced, co-starring and directed by Chicago people as well) At least I know that I'll go somewhere, even if it's obscure "Laurie Anderson" Status. I love her, but she's not mainstream at all. And that's fine with me.
-Erik:up:
Yes, I agree
It's all in what you want.
Different people want different things from this. I want to be able to live off of doing something I LOVE. I've worked bad day jobs for 14 years now. I'm kinda over this phase.
I mean, I definitely felt differently 10 years ago....
Chicago is great for learning your craft, profession, and how to plant your feet solidly in reality.
I was talking to a guy who writes for one of these WB shows with all the youngsters on it, you know, the ones that walked out of Hollywood High and onto a sound-stage, and he said that all they do is complain about how much work this is. Or how bored they are, and the money is what they want so they can retire, or go on vacation....this is sorta like their "get rich quick" scheme. And they have no appreciation of it, or the craft of acting, or of how lucky they are. It's like, "so and so makes more than I do, I want a show like that....."
Ugh!
uke:
It's all in what you want.
Different people want different things from this. I want to be able to live off of doing something I LOVE. I've worked bad day jobs for 14 years now. I'm kinda over this phase.
I mean, I definitely felt differently 10 years ago....
Chicago is great for learning your craft, profession, and how to plant your feet solidly in reality.
I was talking to a guy who writes for one of these WB shows with all the youngsters on it, you know, the ones that walked out of Hollywood High and onto a sound-stage, and he said that all they do is complain about how much work this is. Or how bored they are, and the money is what they want so they can retire, or go on vacation....this is sorta like their "get rich quick" scheme. And they have no appreciation of it, or the craft of acting, or of how lucky they are. It's like, "so and so makes more than I do, I want a show like that....."
Ugh!
uke:i certainly didn't mean to imply that there's anything wrong with trying to make money at what you do or that anyone who moves somewhere where there's more opportunity to do so is any less dedicated or that their motives are somehow less pure. I certainly hope to someday make a living at one of the things I love (improv, acting, photography). There does seem to be this kind of cultural pressure to do it at once, though. To get a quick training in an art and then get out there and make a buck, without giving oneself time to develop. It isn't so much the lack of money I find freeing, but the lack of a spotlight. The lack of career pressure. There's more a self-imposed pressure to improve.
Like having patience to let a scene develop at its own pace and ignoring the pressure to deliver laughs. I really have to remind myself to take this at a good, steady slow pace.
But why am I writing this? The thread specifies it's people who have moved in order to make it. Not pretentious improvisors who are still in Chicago.
It's because my job is slowly killing me. Are there no agents out there who will whisk me away!?
Like having patience to let a scene develop at its own pace and ignoring the pressure to deliver laughs. I really have to remind myself to take this at a good, steady slow pace.
But why am I writing this? The thread specifies it's people who have moved in order to make it. Not pretentious improvisors who are still in Chicago.
It's because my job is slowly killing me. Are there no agents out there who will whisk me away!?
Re: These aren't writers
I was talking about some writers. Sorry. I think the longer you're in Hollywood and not living in the real world you lose touch with real people. That's why people burn out at 40. That's my theory, anyway.
But the same argument can be made for actors. If you've never lived in the real world how can you portray it? Most of these kids have been in showbiz for their whole lives. I'm glad I'm getting into the biz at 30.
-Erik:up:
I was talking about some writers. Sorry. I think the longer you're in Hollywood and not living in the real world you lose touch with real people. That's why people burn out at 40. That's my theory, anyway.
But the same argument can be made for actors. If you've never lived in the real world how can you portray it? Most of these kids have been in showbiz for their whole lives. I'm glad I'm getting into the biz at 30.
-Erik:up:
Great Discussion, Gang!
I appreciate the varied and intelligent replies!
Mostly, what I am concerned about (and Senor Stack is a great example of this) is seeing the folks who DO achieve the highest levels of comedy "success" in Chicago - beyond even studying or being on a Harold team, for example - being more or less required to leave in order to "go further" or actually make a living in comedy.
I'm sure you all know what I mean, but here's the classic example: after leaving the Mainstages of Second City, many of our quote-unquote successful funny people either fade out of the scene or move to NY or LA.
I'll pose another question:
If it were possible to do more film and TV from Chicago and possibly make a living here, would you stay after completing your studies/Tour Co/Etc show/Whatever?
Lisa
Inquisitor:love:
I appreciate the varied and intelligent replies!
Mostly, what I am concerned about (and Senor Stack is a great example of this) is seeing the folks who DO achieve the highest levels of comedy "success" in Chicago - beyond even studying or being on a Harold team, for example - being more or less required to leave in order to "go further" or actually make a living in comedy.
I'm sure you all know what I mean, but here's the classic example: after leaving the Mainstages of Second City, many of our quote-unquote successful funny people either fade out of the scene or move to NY or LA.
I'll pose another question:
If it were possible to do more film and TV from Chicago and possibly make a living here, would you stay after completing your studies/Tour Co/Etc show/Whatever?
Lisa
Inquisitor:love:
I would, as well
Sure, I'd have stayed in Chicago. And if I find enough success out here so I can commute easily, I'll move back in a heartbeat. Pull a Harold Ramis type of thing.
I love the weather in LA, but I think Chicago is a better city for theater and isn't as spread out. And I think a better place to raise your children, of which I have 2. They'd go to French school, anyway (my wife is French), but you get my drift, I hope.
And I's be around real people in Chicago. So many mannequins here.
-Erik:up:
Sure, I'd have stayed in Chicago. And if I find enough success out here so I can commute easily, I'll move back in a heartbeat. Pull a Harold Ramis type of thing.
I love the weather in LA, but I think Chicago is a better city for theater and isn't as spread out. And I think a better place to raise your children, of which I have 2. They'd go to French school, anyway (my wife is French), but you get my drift, I hope.
And I's be around real people in Chicago. So many mannequins here.
-Erik:up: