I think the skill of improv performers have evolved so much that often improvised scenes could almost simply be recorded and transcribed without significant edits. In 2018 and 19 I saw a few improv scenes at UCB that were so tight I forgot I was watching an improv show. I also think that we really haven’t fully recovered from the upheaval of COVID or the guild strikes. People’s work schedules haven’t stabilized enough that people can dedicate time to writing/producing sketch. I hopeful to get back to it sometime soon. You’re awesome!
It's the same here in Pittsburgh. My sketch troupe is the only active sketch team I know of here. It's all improv otherwise. Not gonna lie, it's nice to stand out a bit.
Yes! I’ve been thinking about this a lot because I absolutely love sketch and love a sketch group that is formed from people just messing around, having fun. I think there’s a lot at play but these are the top three things that come to mind. Curious what other people think about the lack of sketch right now. I don’t think it’s just LA either…
1 - It takes the most effort. Probably the hardest of any of the top forms of live comedy (improv, clown, sketch, stand-up). Improv and clown you have to create a group, but it’s improvised. Stand-up you have to write, but it’s solo. Sketch you have to create a group AND write. That’s takes extra effort and interpersonal skill.
2 - There is a lack of opportunity. I think you’re right in your theory of the space to make that stuff has absolutely gone to social media because there is a lot of opportunity there, and a clear pipeline. People make stuff and blow up or get jobs because of their social stuff. Where are the live sketch opportunities (jams, variety shows, sketch nights)? What is the dedicated space / place / night / show to see sketch? And self producing is Hard (especially in this economy). All of us, even if were willing to work harder than avg, want to find the easiest cheapest lowest conflict path to be funny.
3 - The pandemic fucked us all up and we’re still figuring out where our community is, how to be social, how to be with each other again. Still!
I think if suddenly one week there was SKETCH WEEK in LA and anyone could submit to participate, and there were dozens of spots LA would have an influx of sketch groups. I think that’s kind of all it takes for that to come back. Groups from it would be like “damn, I wanna do more of this…but where” and so they might make their own shows or nights or get on more stand-up or variety or improv nights etc etc. And some group will blow up eventually and more people would do it…
I love that you posted this. I am in 100% agreemo with you. I’m seeing Goopy at lyric (indie sketch maybe???) and Babe Motel at UCB (def indie sketch) both next week.
If anyone is interested in forming an indie sketch team, please contact me on Instagram at william.ig . I have a sketch packet that I aim to circulate in the next few weeks. EDIT: Feel like sketch - as a theatrical form - is a missing link for so much of this community. I very much view improv as the engine for the car that is sketch and pilots as the shipping container that these sketch (cars) are delivered through. Social media sketch videos live and die by the edit and the distribution service they're part of.
I think it has slowly evolved into the goal of improvising being to get laughs not create material. I blame Whose Line Is It Anyway for starting the trend where people equated making quick jokes as improvising.
I think the skill of improv performers have evolved so much that often improvised scenes could almost simply be recorded and transcribed without significant edits. In 2018 and 19 I saw a few improv scenes at UCB that were so tight I forgot I was watching an improv show. I also think that we really haven’t fully recovered from the upheaval of COVID or the guild strikes. People’s work schedules haven’t stabilized enough that people can dedicate time to writing/producing sketch. I hopeful to get back to it sometime soon. You’re awesome!
It's the same here in Pittsburgh. My sketch troupe is the only active sketch team I know of here. It's all improv otherwise. Not gonna lie, it's nice to stand out a bit.
Yes! I’ve been thinking about this a lot because I absolutely love sketch and love a sketch group that is formed from people just messing around, having fun. I think there’s a lot at play but these are the top three things that come to mind. Curious what other people think about the lack of sketch right now. I don’t think it’s just LA either…
1 - It takes the most effort. Probably the hardest of any of the top forms of live comedy (improv, clown, sketch, stand-up). Improv and clown you have to create a group, but it’s improvised. Stand-up you have to write, but it’s solo. Sketch you have to create a group AND write. That’s takes extra effort and interpersonal skill.
2 - There is a lack of opportunity. I think you’re right in your theory of the space to make that stuff has absolutely gone to social media because there is a lot of opportunity there, and a clear pipeline. People make stuff and blow up or get jobs because of their social stuff. Where are the live sketch opportunities (jams, variety shows, sketch nights)? What is the dedicated space / place / night / show to see sketch? And self producing is Hard (especially in this economy). All of us, even if were willing to work harder than avg, want to find the easiest cheapest lowest conflict path to be funny.
3 - The pandemic fucked us all up and we’re still figuring out where our community is, how to be social, how to be with each other again. Still!
I think if suddenly one week there was SKETCH WEEK in LA and anyone could submit to participate, and there were dozens of spots LA would have an influx of sketch groups. I think that’s kind of all it takes for that to come back. Groups from it would be like “damn, I wanna do more of this…but where” and so they might make their own shows or nights or get on more stand-up or variety or improv nights etc etc. And some group will blow up eventually and more people would do it…
I love that you posted this. I am in 100% agreemo with you. I’m seeing Goopy at lyric (indie sketch maybe???) and Babe Motel at UCB (def indie sketch) both next week.
If anyone is interested in forming an indie sketch team, please contact me on Instagram at william.ig . I have a sketch packet that I aim to circulate in the next few weeks. EDIT: Feel like sketch - as a theatrical form - is a missing link for so much of this community. I very much view improv as the engine for the car that is sketch and pilots as the shipping container that these sketch (cars) are delivered through. Social media sketch videos live and die by the edit and the distribution service they're part of.
I think it has slowly evolved into the goal of improvising being to get laughs not create material. I blame Whose Line Is It Anyway for starting the trend where people equated making quick jokes as improvising.
Good advice, Will. I am appreciating this content, unique insight into this comedy scene that I don’t think exists anywhere else. - Kenny