Serious Question

[Fitzwilly]

HCM - I think part of the reason you may be getting the responses you are is that the children are seeing you as a cross between and person and a clown instead of a full clown. As a "real" clown you have a license to play, but if people are seeing you as a strangely dressed person they are more likely to have reservations.

Suggestions:
1- "Strutter's Guide to Clown Makeup" By: Jim Strutters
2- Go to Pricilla Mooseburger Originals and look at the faces of the models. Don't compare your costume to the ones you see, look at the faces. (I kind of like your costume, it is sure better than the one I started with.)
3- Go to Clowns of America International and look at the pictures of the competition winners as well as the other makeup examples you see.
4- As you see ideas you like, capture the image if you can and start a file for your own reference.
5- As you develop questions and ideas, ask, ask and ask some more.

That is all the ideas I have right this moment (and I was really trying for a 12 step approach.)

[tim]

Allow me to approach the matter from a couple of different angles.

Firstly, I REALLY love your costume. It's great. Though it is a little big and bold (the tie, especially), which could scream scary to some.

I know that when I am in "full clown" with the auguste face that you see in my photo, some smaller children are initially afraid as they see something which is unusual. I can often win them over by softening up, backing off, getting down on their level. Maybe inviting them to play with a feather or complimenting them on something they are wearing. If the parent doesn't push but isn't afraid, then the child might feel more involved.

Your face needs work. Lose the rainbow wig. Either just use your natural hair or find something more fitting. Also, find a better nose than the big sponge ball. You can paint something on (even with just lipstick, initially, if you don't have greasepaint) or get an inexpensive (under 20 dollars) professional nose from any number of suppliers. Refining your face should help to make your look streamlined and more readily acceptable/inviting to an audience.

[HotClownMalden]

Originally Posted by tim

Allow me to approach the matter from a couple of different angles.

Firstly, I REALLY love your costume. It's great. Though it is a little big and bold (the tie, especially), which could scream scary to some.

I know that when I am in "full clown" with the auguste face that you see in my photo, some smaller children are initially afraid as they see something which is unusual. I can often win them over by softening up, backing off, getting down on their level. Maybe inviting them to play with a feather or complimenting them on something they are wearing. If the parent doesn't push but isn't afraid, then the child might feel more involved.

Your face needs work. Lose the rainbow wig. Either just use your natural hair or find something more fitting. Also, find a better nose than the big sponge ball. You can paint something on (even with just lipstick, initially, if you don't have greasepaint) or get an inexpensive (under 20 dollars) professional nose from any number of suppliers. Refining your face should help to make your look streamlined and more readily acceptable/inviting to an audience.

What's wrong with the rainbow wig? I thought it tied the outfit together.

[tim]

Originally Posted by HotClownMalden

What's wrong with the rainbow wig? I thought it tied the outfit together.

It doesn't. It's too much stimulation, actually, which distracts and draws focus to the top of your head above all else. It's also quite stereotypical and tends to scream amateuristic. Occasionally, a rainbow wig can work effectively for a clown. But, most of the time it just doesn't. A single, solid color wig, or an interesting hat would work much better for you and, alone. make a marked improvement in your overall look

[Wowza]

While I do agree with the responses regarding the "look" of the original poster, I do want to throw something else out there.

Bubbles and I are finding that it is particularly "hip" to be afraid of clowns. It seems that at every fair or large-scale event we do, there are always groups of teenagers dragging a friend over to see us because the friend is afraid. How much of this is real and how much is faked in an attempt to attract attention is anybody's guess, but we are noticing it more and more. While teenagers aren't really our audience, little kids DO see the teenagers fear and want to emulate it, real or not.

Like I said, it's just my $.02.

[Pickles]

Wowza, I think you are definitely onto something. My kids all talk about friends at school who have this severe case of clownphobia, and one of my own kids now has suddenly decided she is deathly afraid of clowns. It seems to be going around.

[HotClownMalden]

Originally Posted by tim

It doesn't. It's too much stimulation, actually, which distracts and draws focus to the top of your head above all else. It's also quite stereotypical and tends to scream amateuristic. Occasionally, a rainbow wig can work effectively for a clown. But, most of the time it just doesn't. A single, solid color wig, or an interesting hat would work much better for you and, alone. make a marked improvement in your overall look

So apparently I've got a solid outfit, but my face needs work, my nose sucks, and my appearance screams amatuer. I'm suddenly not feeling so good about myself.

[pixcoco]

Hold up on the self whipping session. It takes a lot of work and education to do this. I saw a shirt one day I really liked. It said "Clowning is a whole other world...find someone who lives there to show you the way."

You can't be expected to know what to do without some help or classes. We are here to help you as much as he can. You already WANT to be a clown so that is a big deal. Now just decide to learn as much as you can to make it happen. Finding a place to learn and ask questions is another big step so you are on your way.

[Fitzwilly]

HCM - I wouldn't say your nose "sucks", more like it really "BLOWS." Just a little bad humor that I am known for. There are two main problems with the sponge noses which is why most clowns suggest to get rid of them and go to a painted nose or a more professional style. The two reasons are: 1) They generally don't stay on your face when you are moving around. So you as the clown are spending more time worrying about your nose and/or golding it in place, than concentrating on having fun. 2) Foam noses are generally to large for most faces. If you take a look at your picture you will notice that a big portion of your face is in shadow because of the nose. A smaller nose allows more of your face to be seen so people are able to see and appreciate all those funny expressions you have been working so hard on.

If you want to feel sorry for some ugly makeup dig through the archieves and look at one of my early faces. You have come to the right place. We like to work as a team and lift everyone up, that way we all get better and make more people smile.

[HotClownMalden]

I also think I need some work on my clown name. Currently I'm using "Jim". Does that seem like a weird name for a clown?