Serious Question

HotClownMalden · #1 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008, 08:21 PM

Hello fellow clowns. I'm a new guy, but please don't write me off just yet. Lately I've experienced a greater than usual ratio of children that seem to be frightened of me. I was wondering if any of you have experienced this, and what you've done to combat this. It breaks my heart when I upset a kid.

Thanks!

Fitzwilly · #2 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008, 08:30 PM

Welcome to the Forum HCM. How log have you been clowning? What type of clown are you? Does it seem like it wouldn't matter who you were or what you looked like or does it seem like it might be something you are doing? Would you be willing to post a picture of yourself?

Pickles · #3 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008, 09:15 PM

Hey, Welcome! And you don't EVER have to worry about anybody writing you off here because you are a "new guy." I've only been here a month or so, and I've experienced nothing but nice and friendly clowns who sincerely want to help me be the best clown I can be. (sorry if that sounded like an Army commercial.)

Regarding the clown phobias: I was just wondering the exact same thing. There's been one kid at each of the last three parties I've done who has had a clown phobia. I thought this was strange because I can think of only one or two kids with clown phobias whom I encountered during the first five or six years I clowned -- and they were cured of their phobia by the end of the party.

There's definitely been some bad PR about clowns in recent months, but it's not like these little kids are reading the newspaper. I even did a party for a kid who LOVED me one year ago when I did her party. This year when I was hired again for her birthday, she was terrified of me. She did "come around" 10 or 15 minutes into the party, but I couldn't figure out what was different this time around. (One year ago, I wore my party dress and came across as a more girly clown; this time I wore clown bib overalls -- could that have made a difference? Maybe she just needed a nap! Who knows!)

I will be waiting to hear what other clowns have to say about this topic.

saphireSue · #4 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008, 10:30 PM

Same here, there's usally one or 2 at a party but they usally come around by the end.

Sir Toony Van Dukes · #5 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 08:18 AM

Welcome to the Clown Forum!

You have come to the right place. The clowns here are great and someone will always take the time to answer important questions.

When you say you are a new guy, do you just mean to the forum or to clowning in general? If you are new to clowning, then seeing your makeup and outfit may help. There is an art to designing a natural looking clown face.

I am sure others will offer suggestions on dealing with scared children. I think it is important not to push them to hard. Let them come around after seeing the other kids having fun.

Good luck!

HotClownMalden · #6 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 08:33 AM

I am new to this board and fairly new to clowning. It started out so much fun, but now I get the impression that I'm just scary. Here's my getup.

Sassy Frass · #7 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 10:10 AM

Maybe if you paint on a nose (just a little red circle)???
Every thing looks great to me!!!

Lookin' Good

Happy Chappy & Daisy · #8 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 12:23 PM

When I run into a scared child, I try to act like I'm afraid of the child, too. It usually calms them down - obviously, I'm not scary if I'm afraid of a little child.

Of course, that doesn't work when I find a frightened adult. Daisy and I were trying out our new outfits, and ran into a frightened adult in Wal-Mart. She covered up her face and ran away - and of course, we ran into her two or three more times before we finished our shopping! I've got no idea how to handle somebody like that, unless it involves hypnotherapy.

Pickles · #9 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 12:35 PM

HCM:

I don't think you are a particularly "scary" clown, but I think there are some things you may want to do to help your clown character evolve.

For instance, it looks like you are not wearing any make-up. You should study the different types of clowns and decide what kind of clown you want to be (Auguste, White-Face, Tramp/hobo) and then develop a face for that character.

Quite a few clowns have experimented with different clown faces, taken and posted pictures of their attempts and gotten feedback from the clowns here at Clown Forum. I think that's been pretty helpful for most of them.

Like I said earlier, the clowns here are not judgmental, and any criticism is intended to be constructive.

As you develop a look and personality for your clown, I think you will find that children are more receptive to you.

pixcoco · #10 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 02:02 PM

I think sometimes the fear comes from overstimulation. While oversized and bright things are associated with clowns, some of that look is from the circus days when clowns were in the ring, far away from the audiance. Being close up to a child, or even an adult, with a lot of oversized and brightly colored things may cause this over stimulation making them want to flee or hide. That is why in the realm I work in the majority of the time I have toned down what I wear. And what you do can also be toned down just as much. A clown must be load and big in the ring or on a stage...but in a living room or at a store not as much is required to let them know you are different.

Also be aware that eye contact can increase anxioty. Paying attention to someone other than the fearful person will often help. by avoiding eye contact you do not escalate the fear and by showing them others (like mom or big bro.) are not afraid.

This will also come with time and practice. Don't give up if your heart is into it.

Sometimes a grown person will say something about they are afraid of clowns or use to be. I tell them honestly there are some clowns that I am afraid of. It is all about education.