At one time or another, each one of us has encountered another clown and thought to ourselves "Goodness, they look horrible!" Maybe they had on too much make up, or the costume was ALL wrong, maybe they are new to clowning and don't know what to do, maybe they've been in clowning for years but just stopped caring...

Do we have a responsibilty to the craft of clowning to pull that person aside and share our view and if so is there a polite way to say it without sounding too full of ourselves? To often people get the idea that anyone can put make up on their faces but a halloween clown costume and go out and perform. When those same people seem to have no interest in learning how to make themselves better performers and better looking performers.. how do we protect the heritage of this craft that we are so passionate about?

Do not read into this question! This is NOT something I have done and I am NOT looking for validation. It is simply a question that came into my head and I am curious to hear the thoughts of the forum. And if you are one of those "store bought halloween clown costume" performers...take a moment to think about this question as well. I'm interested to hear your thoughts as well.

That's a really difficult question!!!! I have seen it, and you are right, it's hard not to want to correct things, but there are sooooo many variables in this situation, that I think it needs to be approached carefully so that all involved benefit and noone gets hurt.

Some don't honestly think they look bad. Some don't care, like you said, some might know they need improvement, but would be offended if approached, who knows. I think you would really have to get involved with the person first to some extent to see what they are really all about deep down before you could approach the problems that you perceive.

to be honest i am still too new to think i have the knowledge to help one of these clowns

I think what Duckie said makes perfect sense. Most people won't listen to your point of view if they don't have a personal connection with you. They'll probably just take offense. (At least I would!)

I would never ever be brutally honest, e.g. "Your make-up really doesn't look so hot" or "Your costume screams Halloween clown!" Although some clowns might have tough enough skin to take such criticism, many would have their feelings hurt and might even want to throw in the clowning towel.

If it's a new clown, there's a good chance he or she is still evolving and will gradually improve make-up, costume, etc. on his own.

However, it is possible to help clowns evolve without criticizing them; you just have to be sneaky about it. You could tell them you're going to be playing around with grease paint and experimenting with some new clown faces and see if they want to join you. Then, once you have them captive, you can really try to help them improve their look.

I think it is our professional obligation to help and encourage clowns to look their best, but there's no reason why you have to be cruel in accomplishing this.

I wonder if it would be less rude to invite them to the clown alley, I mean I still learn new things just being around other clowns.

Also, I was at the circus recently and some of the clowns......eww! My make-up isn't perfect, I'm trying to get better at the auguste face, but I would never do the things they did.....like ..... it was bad. Poor coverage, bad outlining, darkneck white faces with flesh colored bald cap wigs.....yeah. I'm a clown snob. I'm trying to get better about that too.

I have to agree with scoop, I don't feel I have been around the block enough times to tell others what I think. I have seen a few clowns who I felt needed some help. I would guess that a few weren't real clowns but people who just got dressed up like a clown.

I do think there may be a way to help. Introduce yourself and get to know the other clown. If you find out they are new, this opens the door to being more helpful. If they have been clowning for years, it may be harder to get them to change.

My clown alley has standards they try to follow. But, I have heard a few clowns say that there are a few members who need to be reminded of the standards but that the current board hasn't taken the opportunities to do anything. I guess it can be hard to tell a friend they need to get a new outfit as their old one has seen its time.

I haven't seen circus clowns who I felt needed help. But, you have to realize that they are performing under bright lights and the audience is at least 30 feet away. They may need bolder lines and can skip some of the details that people can't see. But, at the same time, they often do get close to people before the show or during the intermission.

I agree wtih Duckie and Pickles, there was one time, I was working at an adult day care center and this woman came in, halloween one piece, horrible make up, giant red lips, I'm surprized she didn't scare the people right out of their wheelchairs, I hear her talk about how she wanted to go cheer up people and thought this would be a great way of doing it, so... I invited her to a creative minsitry feastival that our baptist convention hold each year, I talked with her about all the classes, nothing pointed exactly but that they had class on make up and character building etc. Don't know if it helped or not, but I just had to say some thing and it was the only thing I could think of at the time.

If one feels uncomfortable telling a clown what he needs to hear, just introduce the offending clown to Blab-i-gail. She'll tell him!

Also, I was at the circus recently and some of the clowns......eww! My make-up isn't perfect, I'm trying to get better at the auguste face, but I would never do the things they did.....like ..... it was bad. Poor coverage, bad outlining, darkneck white faces with flesh colored bald cap wigs.....yeah.

Ok, I'll take a stab at it - small market Shrine?

We have an 80+ year old member of our Shrine Clown Unit who dresses out for nearly every parade and function in which the unit participates. His lines aren't exactly crisp, but that's because his eyes aren't so good and his hand shakes a bit. He gets great joy out of being a clown. I'm glad to see him upright everytime. I know lot's of guys in the same boat. But the key is, they dress out and support the unit. Some dress at home, because it takes them so dog on long to do so. But others dress out in the unit room. If they appear to be having trouble dressing out, I try to assist, but I would never criticize them. I'm just happy to spend the time with them. There's a way to nourish, and cherish a brother Joey. It has to be done under the right circumstances. And I always remember that these guys have been dressing out so long, that they have forgotten more about clowning than most clowns know.

I will step in and help a new Joey, or "make unsolicited suggestions".

I know I'm not great by a long shot. When I first started clowning I didn't even know where to get resorces. The only thing I could find about make-up was that horrible loud stuff. I knew not many kids would come up to me but didn't understand why. I had to opportunity to go to a conference that was sponsored by a christian orginazation that I am associated with. It was for all kinds of drama and clowning. It took me about two seconds in a class to see how horrible my make up was. I was so thankful for that. Maybe if you know of any type of conferences that are coming up you could strike up a conversation about that. All you may need to do is plant a little seed.

Thats why in every tweeking of my face I tell you guys to criticize it! I won't get offended, and if I do, its better than walking around lookin like the beginner that I am!

Thats why in every tweeking of my face I tell you guys to criticize it! I won't get offended, and if I do, its better than walking around lookin like the beginner that I am!
Exactly. Although my skin isn't as thick as Chester's so, I kinda need the two good things, two things to improve type of criticism.

It is my biggest fear, being new, that my outfit or makeup would be less than it should be.

I would hope, in the event that I didn't have things right, someone would offer some insight as to where I went wrong.

I have not gone out yet, as I am new to our unit.
But I have spent many hours already fretting over the proper
blend of, loud enough, but not too garrish in the outfit, and I am still trying to figure out the right face for my face.

I have sadly determined that my beard must go for parade season. :(

It is my biggest fear, being new, that my outfit or makeup would be less than it should be.

Knic-Knac, I have the same fears, and, honestly, some days I look better than other days. Surprisingly, I've heard some fine-looking, experienced clowns say that they've only accomplished perfection with their make-up a handful of times. Really, no clown is perfect, but as long as we try, we're okay. And, really, it's kinda fun to have something to strive for.

This is a good question. I am in a group of clowns that fit this but what to do. I do think we owe it to the art of clowning to help others become better. I do it by example. I too don't won't to hurt other peoples feelings. People clown for differrnt reasons and so the attention to make-up and costume follows this. My own mind set I am going to try to be the best clown that I can, but I on't expect it of others - I will help if they ask. As I thought about this this came to mind, as in every day life the same can be asked of the clown, which is more important what is on in the inside or what is on the outside, after all a good clown starts with the heart.

I know that two of the local clown alleys require their members to come to a meeting dressed as your clown character to be critiqued before being allowed to clown for the alley. If you don't know what they are looking for, it can be a little scary. But, you are going in to be critiqued and expect them to make comments and suggestions. That is different than walking up to someone and offering an unsolicited critique.

Sometimes I think that personality and good intentions can make up for what is lacking in makeup abilities. I have met a few seniors who don't have the ability to do a detailed or elaborate makeup. They go with something simple and I would never tell them that they shouldn't be clowning any more.