Clothes for Hoboes

[azzy]

For me, my baseline is slow and sleepy. I'm often unkempt anyway. And I really enjoy this;
the Laugh-Out-Loud Cats - a set on Flickr

That's why I started playing with it. It requires no "special" costume to start. It's not much of a stretch. So for training it works.

On the other hand, there's a lot of things I'm already brainstorming that don't work (without modification) with a hobo character, so I could drop it sooner rather than later.

(p.s. I also want a bindle)

[SuitcaseSam]

Originally Posted by tim

Why do people choose hobo? What is it about their personality which makes them want to go that direction? I''m not criticizing it (I like bums) but I just don't understand it at all.

Tim, that is a million and a half dollar question. For me, I started out as an Auguste in 1990 but swithed to Hobo/Tramp in 1992 after meeting Emmett Kelly Jr and seeing the way people took to his tramp chaacter. I was already a big fan of Red Skelton's Freddie the Freeloader character and I too wanted sum'pin more whimsical, down home~ish and the Hobo character seemed to fit right in along with my guitar playing (now the Ukulele). I use to say I wanted my audiences to leave my shows with the same "down home" feeling one has once they've seen the Country Bear Jamboree at Disney World.

I got just as many calls for birthday parties as a Hobo Clown but I will agree with ol' Fitz that most folks perception of a Clown is not that of a Hobo/Tramp. Either they picture Ronald McDonald types or the oversized outlandish look of an Auguste.
I did however have one parent tell me once they liked the Hobo look alot better because it didn't seem to scare the kids as much since it was more human like (for lack of better words - sorry, I just got done working 13hrs on nightshift - Yuk!). And yes, this parent had seen my Auguste Clown as well as many other local clowns. I'm not knocking any Clown category as I love them all, I'm simply stating what was said.

Azzy, you are off to a great start and I loved those cat cartoons. Thanks. I might only suggest you add a derby hat to complete the look (like the cat in the cartoon is wearing). That would be way COOL!

Ya'll have a Great Day!

~Sam

[tim]

One little makeuping thing. I think that it would balance better if you had the same color outlines around the mouth and eyes. In this case, I'd go with black. I actually like the red you have outlining the eyes, but if you changed the mouth outline to red it might be too much red there.

I think you are doing a really good job of making the mouth work with your moustache. Having the actual lip red (rather than whited over) breaks things up, nicely, in your case.

[Scruffy]

Azzy, you're looking great!

Why do people choose hobo? I'll admit, I am from the camp that the clown chooses you. I know in my case, I tried both Auguste and Whiteface and didn't feel "right" until I tried the tramp. From the first time I tried the hobo I knew I was home. I had found the clown I would be for the rest of my life.
As far as booking parties, I haven't really had a problem with that. Mainly because I rarely book parties.....
I think people identify more with the hobo character because of the "human element" of the character.

[saphireSue]

I like the flower you added to your costume.

[Sir Toony Van Dukes]

azzy,

Good start! Maybe a little to clean looking. Maybe sew on a few patches, find some fingerless gloves, and grab that blue knit scarf on the floor in the first picture and use it as a tie. But, what do I know, I haven't created a hobo character yet.

[pixcoco]

I think your face is great. Don't sell yourself short. You are doing a good job.
When I look at the first pic I do not see the eyebrows. In the closer ones I see thay are red. If you made them black that would be more contrast against you skin and they could be seen from a distance. I also happen to think red around the eyes is not very friendly.
I love the shape you your mouth and your eyes seem to be in just the right place also.

And as to the tramp or not to tramp question. I agree with fitz about the marketability of these charactors. I think it takes an enormous amount of talent and experiance to be a tramp/hobo. Maybe that is just because it is the hardest for me. I also believe those are two different things. A tramp is shabbier. The hobo has patches but they are cleaner and generly happier. I learned a lot about this subject from Homer of California while at clown camp. If you can find a video of him you will see a GREAT show, and a marketable one. He is a hobo.