Photography is very important to Kevin Lopez. He has been taking photos since he was a child. When he joined LaGuardia, he was excited to pursue his passion and find some solidarity. But there was no structured group that catered exclusively to his lifelong love. “It was a good idea to start a Photography Club […]
Sketch Comedy Comes to Campus
One afternoon during the Spring 2022 semester, Crystina Camacho sat outside room M-122 trying to decide whether or not to open the door. Inside, students were preparing and practicing their comic acts.
“I’m more of an introverted person than most people in this major,” said Camacho, a second semester student studying film and television.
Camacho is very happy that she took that one step. She discovered LaGuardia Live – and an instinct for comedy. “Before joining LaGuardia Live, I really had to push myself to even come here,” she continued.
LaGuardia Live is the school’s first ever sketch comedy show. It is run entirely by students. Students write, shoot, and edit their shows in a fully equipped Production Studio.
The group was launched this year by two professors from the Film and Television Program: Jason Schafer and David Stott.
They have been planning on this collaboration for the last few years.
“We see so much talent in our classrooms, but students haven’t had many opportunities to work together outside of class – especially during the pandemic,” Schafer said.
Schafer has professional experience in screenwriting and directing through the films “Trick” and “Totally Sexy Loser.”
The goal of the LaGuardia Live program is to give students experience creating original content and being on a set.
The group meets for two hours each week. It spends the first half of each session brainstorming ideas, and the second half shooting bits in front of a green screen.
After observing performances throughout the semester, Schafer reflected, “Everyone just dives right in, and they’re really funny. There are a couple regulars who should really think about being comedians.”
Paul Williams, a second semester Film and Television major, came to LaGuardia with an extensive background in acting. He studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theater, performed in productions off Broadway, and worked briefly as an after school acting teacher.
His experience with LaGuardia Live has exposed him to a new interest. Williams said, “While I love being in front of the camera, I fell in love with Directing. It gives me a chance to practice my leadership skills.”
Williams also spoke highly of the writing process involved. He explained, “I feel like no idea is a bad idea, and that has helped me build my confidence in sharing my thoughts.”
The group has developed a bond and learned production, planning, and editing skills despite having no previous knowledge of them.
While both Camacho and Williams have plans to continue studying film beyond LaGuardia, members of LaGuardia Live come from all different majors and backgrounds.
LaGuardia Live will be returning in Fall 2022 with plans to welcome new members.
As Williams said, “Who doesn’t want to yell things like ‘Cut,’ ‘Action,’ and ‘Quiet on set”?