I have been thinking about the viability of holding an online beginners clown workshop. What form do you think such a workshop should take and would it be viable?

what a fantastic idea. i myself am totaly up for that i it can be done. i myself dont hav any idea on how to set something like that up but if you do it im there. o and by the way i checked out that hickorys clown alley what a cool place

Let me know if I can help :D

I don't think this has ever been attempted and at the moment all I am certain of is that it would have to be different from the sort of workshops we are used to. Currently I have little idea of how it can be done or even if it is viable. From ths speed of your responces though It must be something that is needed.

I'd love it. I really do want to improve to help with my confidence out in public.

I woluld like too... I need to improve myself and grow up in the clowning....

That's a good idea...

Picaburu

So how do we go about this? All the workshops I have been involved with have been very practical events where clown skills are developed and characters are explored. The latter is often achieved practical excercises aimed at getting people to re-learn how to play and make believe etc. This method will be difficult to get to work in a forum setting. Although, thinking about it, we could have tasks set and report back to each other. We would also need to have some Articles set up to integrate with the tasks. This is going to take some careful planning and lots of experimentation to get right.

Thanks for your offer Scruffy, If this Idea is going to work it will take some collaberation. If what I am currently envisioning happens, it will need some kind of structure separate from the general forum. This is so that a clear structured path can be followed and 'students' can build on previous activities and articles. It would also help those running it to monitor progress. Kind of like an online clown school.

I like it, Sir Gilbert! (clap clap clap, wiggle, jump, flip and almost land on feet...)

Ouch...but seriously...

I think it's a great idea! Like Scruffy said, if there's anything I can do to help just holler...

I'll give it some more thought and try and come up with a suitable technical structure to house it. The whole thing poses some administrative and technical challenges but I believe it is possible.

I guess that makes it right up my ALLEY! :lol:

Just checked my own forum and found that I already have exactly what I need from a technical point of view within my own forum. Scruffy and Bips, perhaps we could collaberate to produce this. First we need to set out a structure for the course so that nothing important is missed. We will need to keep to basics. I had about ten lessons in length

Lets see if I can come up with some subjects for starters

What is a clown (probably made up of several subjects)
Types of clown
Finding your inner clown
Costumes
Makeup
Props
Clown skills

How about confidence and clown critique? For example, do you think this wig looks good? JUST KIDDING!

hey gilbert another possible subject to put in is fitness for clowns because alot of what clowns do you need to be somewhat fit for. just a suggestion and if you need help with that i might be able to be of some assitance.

Yes, It does look good! It also looked good wthout the wig. For lack of a better term, Without the wig you looked like one of the more modern style auguste. More like the European school.

Capital idea!! Let me know if you need any more help.
Jubilee

I think that it's be a good idea to habve this workshop... And the theory it's so good for all of us... Always we need to improveme a little bit our clown...

My only doubt is about the topic "The Inner Clown" because I think that it be more practical than theorical... And sometimes, a little bit hard...

But, it is being a good idea

Picaburu

My only doubt is about the topic "The Inner Clown" because I think that it be more practical than theorical...

That sums up the main difficulty this whole idea faces. 80% of clowning is practical. This means that it will be theoretically focused with some practical illustrations. The practical side will need to be addressed by setting assignments and getting people to report back. I am not happy with that aspect but it is the best I can think of for providing some sort of practical work.

The project can acheive more than a book but less than a workshop. It's main drawback is the lack of practical interaction. However it beats a book in three aspects. First, two way communication opens up many opportunities not available when reading a book, second, animated illustrations via video or animated pictures will help a great deal and third, assessment can be provided. It will kind of be a half way house between a book and a workshop. I guess a better term would be lessons.

hey gilbert another possible subject to put in is fitness for clowns because alot of what clowns do you need to be somewhat fit for.

Great Idea, but not as a subject in it's own right. I am expecting to have a variety of articles for different types of clown activities. For example juggling, illusions, balance skills etc. Each of these skills have their own particular strains on the body. Excercises need to be specific for the skills each clown uses. It will not help a rodeo clown to practice juggling excercises unless he happens to be a juggling rodeo clown. We also have to be careful recomending any kind of excercise.

How about confidence and clown critique? For example, do you think this wig looks good? JUST KIDDING!

First and most important Jobee, your hair is one of my favoite colours. It looks great :wink: Second I would envision those two subjects would be a part of the assessment system rather than a topic. Confidence is largely build by going out there and gaining experience. Clown critique is not something I am comfortable with as a subject for any clown course. I think I would prefer to teach people to use self assessment by looking for what works best. This is best acheived by keeping a careful eye on audience reaction and interaction.

Hey, Buckaroo. I'll gladly help you with the fitness part of clowning. It might be fun to combine my degree and my hobby into one. :oD

Jobee the Clown (AKA Ray belanger BA, ATC/L)

hey gilbert the whole aspect of reperting back and asking questions might be able to be accomplithed by getting back to the chat room idea. and if not on the site itself maybe by making a chat room in yahoo?

steller idea jobee yours popped up just as i was writin mine

I'll probably start with PM's and forums as they are the technology I have currently at hand. But if it grows large enough IM could be a distinct advantage.

My internets been down for a week, so I'm late, but great idea.
And Jobee I like you wig too.

Thanks Sue and Buck. :D

I'm in! Let me know if I can help....Wily Nilly

Nice picture WillyNilly!

The Nice thing about the Avatars is we know what each looks like looks like.

Hi there,

As someone just starting out in clowning, I would greatly appriciate this type of thing. Crossing over from magic, some of the forums I frequent for magic used videos to explain a lot of the points to be learned. I understand clowning is less pratical, but mabye we could use videos for something.

Thanks,

Mike

Actually, Mike, videos are great for clowning too. I learned alot from watching a Bubba Sykes video on makeup tips!
Jubilee

And how about the performances???? I'm asking about it because I think I'm the one of the fewers foreigners in this forum and doesn't know if we'll have some performances classes or not and how would the idea of improve it...

Well there seems lots of demand for this so i'll get to work on it. I'll start with some text based lesson as they are easier to set up. I love the video idea and had already been thinking along those lines. I will also use animated pictures where I think it may help.

Ohhh and count me in everyone!! I'm game ( i better not say that too loud it's hunting season in NY!)

I know I would greatly benefit from a workshop like this being the newbie that I am. I am still developing my character, and Im reading books but there's sooo many questions I have that if we had a structured workshop Im sure they'd all be answered even if I didnt ask the questions! :)

Panetta