Hello fellow clowns. Im guessing that the majority of people here are American and i was wondering if there has been a big drop of the circus culture and if clowns in general have decreased? In England it seems that there are fewer clowns these days and a lot less calling for them.

Is it the same across the pond?

JimmyBevers AKA shoebo 8O

Clowning is going strong here in the states. At least in my area.
Looney Ballooney :lol:

seems to be going very strong here. i have heard that over seas its not as stronge but i imagine if you promoted it hard you could get alot of interest.

Yes, I do think it's declining. Could be blamed on many factors. Including shows like fear factor. and movies like IT and shakes the clown.
I have to confess. I would like to see a clown like Bozo come back on television and do a live show. I think it would help our PR considerib...a.l.... A lot! :?

I totally agree with the fear thing, it seems that clowns are used continually in horror. Even in Buffy! Its hard to see why people find clowns scarey, when the purose of them is humour.

Verrry true.

Yes, I do think it's declining. Could be blamed on many factors. Including shows like fear factor. and movies like IT and shakes the clown.
I have to confess. I would like to see a clown like Bozo come back on television and do a live show. I think it would help our PR considerib...a.l.... A lot! :?

Really... Here in Brazil, I think that we being increase step by step... But I know that many people nowadays have a fear of clown because of IT (The Movie)...

But I have a little pity about the declining of clowns... specially in Brazil. We need more clowns yet.

Thanks

Picaburu

I dont the number of clowns is declinding but the number of clowns who really care is
There are a lot of clowns in my area that just look at the money part and dont worry if they do a good job
Thank God they dont last long

Here's not just my .02 on this, but a whole quarter (instead of part of one)

Fear is usually generated from either the unknown, or from a past experience that was traumatic.

When a parent shoves a six month old into the clown's face, the child has no idea what that thing is, why it's going toward it, and what happened to mom...

If you were six months old again and couldn't run away wouldn't you cry?

I know I would!

A few of the parents I deal with that have very young children do this constantly. These children grow up, and have a fear now of these "things" because of the earlier childhood experience.

I ALWAYS make sure I NEVER put myself or let anyone else put me into a corner. This is one of the things that Mark Renfro taught us at Mooseburger. This way, I can move back as the parent moves forward. It may make the parent angry, but I would rather have an angry parent than a terrified child any day of the week.

Every time I go out, I make it a point of being funny, kind, and understanding. This is what a clown is. The greed can cloud anyone's judgement, even the best clown. That's why when I do this I don't make money the point. I make LAUGHTER the point.

I agree Bips!

clowning in our area is big. (JUst don't know about those alleys) Churches around here have clown ministries. At our Roundup fair there is usually a clown walking around doing little tricks or balloons.

Bips and Gilbert are spot on. A Clown can be pretty scarry at times. especially, if they're a newbie clown. Some newbies just don't know how to go about meeting a small frightened child for the first time A many parents are clueless. They want the kid to like clowns but in an effort to introduce them, they scar the kid for like.

Bips and Gilbert are spot on. A Clown can be pretty scarry at times. especially, if they're a newbie clown. Some newbies just don't know how to go about meeting a small frightened child for the first time A many parents are clueless. They want the kid to like clowns but in an effort to introduce them, they scar the kid for like.

I agree with both of them... I know and feel in my skin what do you say, Scruffy... Cause I'm Newbie... and don't know exactly how can I aproximate me on a child affraid of clowns...

But, slowly, I try to discover my own way to do it... And before this, I prefer to don't come in an affraid child...

Picaburu

I understand what Picaburu is saying. You have to learn your own way of doing, a healthy balance of character development and consideration of a child's delicate feelings. I was lucky enough to take one of the classes that Mark Renfro offered in clown camp, and these are the things that he stressed to us there:

Never corner a child, let them come to you. If you approach them and see the look of fear, back away. I've had to stop back up, or turn around many a time and I don't mind doing it.

Bring yourself to their level. I will sometimes bend down on one knee, although late in the evening sometimes that gets difficult. This help the child relate better, and for some kids may mean the difference between liking a fearing a clown.

Make eye contact, smile, and wave. This is important in any relationship, so you might as well start it with a child early. This lets the child know you're there for them and the other kids, not there to hurt them in any way. Feeling are sometimes alot more sensitive than little hands!

I understand what Picaburu is saying. You have to learn your own way of doing, a healthy balance of character development and consideration of a child's delicate feelings. I was lucky enough to take one of the classes that Mark Renfro offered in clown camp, and these are the things that he stressed to us there:

Make eye contact, smile, and wave. This is important in any relationship, so you might as well start it with a child early. This lets the child know you're there for them and the other kids, not there to hurt them in any way. Feeling are sometimes alot more sensitive than little hands!

Thanks a lot, Bips!!!!

One thing that I normally do is going out with my clown in a fair here in Brazil.... And there, the premisse to look, smile and wave is essential... I think that is the firstt step to get te confidence of a child... And, I think that I had seen this answer, but... What should I do when some parents try to force the child to going in straight to me... Should I explained them to don't do it... or what else???

Thanks a lot

Picaburu

Yes, tell them not to force the child.

Give them LOTS of space.

My wife likes to play Peek-a-boo with the kids that hide
behind mom or dad's legs. Before long, she's made a
new friend!