Can *anyone* "clown"? Or do you need a certain personality?

I am a very serious type of person - deep, sensitive, and serious. I love laughing, and I think I have a good sense of humor, but I am almost never the "funny" one in the room. I imagine I could learn to "clown", but would it come harder for me than for someone with a super sense of humor? Would I be as effective as someone who is just naturally FUNNY? I imagine not...

How hard is it to clown? Do you have to love being the center of attention (I don't, though I am not adverse to it, either). Skeeta had 2 openings where she needed FP'ing clowns... this is why I ask!

Thanks, Barbie

I am starting a clown class next week with my local Clown Alley. They are a Christian clown group that offer classes once a year for a fraction of the cost. You might be able to find one in your area.

I have met a lot of really great clowns.... and a lot of really REALLY terrible clowns. I'm sure you don't want to be one of the terrible ones. So I'll put it to you this way...

1. Be willing to stand out.
2. Be willing to have people laugh at you.
3. Be willing to act like a 2 year old.

You don't have to love being the center of attention, but you WILL be. When you are dressed as a clown, people will look at you, honk their horns at you, say anything to you, expect you to do silly things.... you'll walk into a room and the kids will say, "hey! Clowns are supposed to be funny!" ... they'll also say, "You aren't a real clown!" (they say it to EVERY clown, it doesn't matter if they've worked for Ringling for years, they still say it) You'll need to move differently, say silly stuff, have a comeback prepared for "you aren't a real clown," "quit clowning around," and various other common things that everyone will say to you multiple times a day.

My usual come back for "you aren't a real clown" (and I learned this from Rex Nolen a.k.a. Junior T Clown) is not to argue with them, kids always win, instead say something like, "you're right, I'm a Ninja Turtle, hiiiiiiya!"

Also, if you do start clowning, don't wear face paint. You will need to buy some professional "cream makeup" or "grease paint" .... it is oily stuff and will need to be set with cornstarch free baby powder. If there is no one nearby to help you with your face and makeup, there is a book called "Strutter's Complete Guide to Clown Make Up" that is very helpful. My PERSONAL advice on a clown face is keep it light, don't use a flesh tone base, just leave your regular skin colour show where it isn't white, red or black... it will be faster to put on and cooler in the hot summers.

Sorry this is such a long winded response... some of the other clowns, like Punky may have another view point, but there are as many different clowns as there are people who clown.

Perry thanks for the info. I am afraid that I am not sure I can always be "on" or spontaneous. I think I could LEARN anything, and I guess I could make an okay clown for sure (you know... just put your mind/effort to it!), but I am not sure I would be an AWESOME clown.

I am a good face painter, albeit a new one - I have a nice rapport with the children and I love that part of it (interacting with the children in a quiet, loving way).

I will still look into it, but my first efforts are with face painting, for sure.

I welcome more input into this!!!!
Barbie

ps; oh, one more question: if I were a FP'er *dressed* as a clown - the kids would expect some clowning, right? So that would not make any sense, would it? If I were to just *dress* as a clown...

yes, people will expect that you are a clown if you are dressed as one.

And being "on" all the time is the truly exhausting part of clowning. You can't go to the bathroom without people noticing you.... nothing stranger than watching the clown come out of the port-a-potty, but as the kids' book says, "Everybody Poops."

I just did a party in clown like attire at the request of the child. I stated very clearly I am not a clown but I can dress up in fun clothing. I had a blast it was a lot of fun. I almost turned the job down and glad I didn't. She wanted me for my paining so it was all in good fun in the end. There are times I wear reindeer ears to and times a gypsy skirt. I think if you hava a clear communication with your client and you are comfortable -do what it takes to keep building your business. I booked a huge Halloween Party from one of the mom's there.

Somehow my message got lost so I'm going to try to re-write it. I am an extremely shy person. I was raised NOT to be the center of attention. I freak out meeting new people and panic at impromptu. But, I am a clown. I work hard at it. I don't believe just anyone can be one. Clowning is an art involving skill, tradition and legacy. It is not just wearing a costume, wig and makeup and it most certainly is not about making money. If that is your reason for clowning then it is probably best not to do it. (Perry, sorry, I have to disagree about the makeup. You wear flesh colored makeup to even out your skin tone and make the white and red stand out. Even the European minimal makeup look wears foundation ) A clown must be true to their character and they must have character. It is not about being silly. Clowns are child-like and innocent, not childish. It is all about discovery. A clown is a verb, not a noun. There are constant workshops that teach you skills, skits and gags. Just like face painting, one must practice and take it seriously. But, the rewards for hard work are making a child smile, making sadness disappear for a little while, lift a burdened heart, exchange a tear for a smile and replace a hurt with joy. So if those are things that appeal to you then go for it but please do it for the right reason. Sorry I didn't mean to be on a soap box.

Face painters do the same thing- everyone does different things for different reasons. There is self discovery in face painting as well. I don't think we should be so judgemental in the gray area. The bottom line is making people happy. I feel blessed that I make so many people happy everyday. I also show women that they can come out of a bad situation and be self supportive. It is my choice to through a wig on if I want to, I have 2 boys to feed on my own somedays I have to stretch in ways I haven't expected.

No judgement meant. I was only saying that clowning is an art and to be a 'clown' it should be entered into for the right reasons, the same as face painting.

I totally agree with you Magic.
I have done it as well for a paying job.
I have never said I was a clown, nor will I ever say I am a clown.
I have dressed up, did face painting on some very happy kids. I don't see the harm in that. At the end of the day I made a few more people smile. That is a successful day to me as well.

I would never advertise as a clown and do jobs that require a clown routine. That is left to the professionals.

The minute you say should you are judging. People have the right to do whatever they want for whatever reason whether I agree with it or not. Whose right reasons are the measuring stick?

Daydreamer your answer was spot on! Clowning comes from the heart and a LOT of study and work. I am a shy person, but when I am in clown a new part of me emerges. It took several years to develop my clowns (the rule of thumb I have read is it takes several years to fully flesh out a new clown personality).

I have attended many clown conventions – wonderful fun places to be! I have bookcases full of books on the subject. I started face painting as an outgrowth of clowning. To BE a clown is more than wearing a colorful costume - it is an attitude. It does not require being loud and the center of attention. Hospital caring clowns tend to be quiet and calming. My “best” days clowning have been as a volunteer at hospitals when I was able to make hurting, frightened children smile.

Barbie, I would recommend that you find a clown class as a first step. Then I would join an Alley and attend conventions and read books. Take a little away from each and in time you will discover within yourself your own clown character. The process is fun. As with any worthwhile endeavor it will take time and commitment but Yes, you can be a clown – if you want to be a clown.

Magic, I think you missed Daydreamer’s point, “clowning is an art and to be a 'clown' it should be entered into for the right reasons, the same as face painting.” Face painters become very agitated when folks “face paint” using craft paint and metal glitter and charge a ridiculous low rate, clowns have the same feelings about folks who throw on a colorful outfit and put on substandard makeup and call themselves clowns. Donning a bright outfit is fun - just don’t market yourself as a clown until you really are. (Clowns have “rules” based in tradition for how grease paint is put on – scary clowns don’t follow the rules and that is part of the reason they look bad).

Entered into it for the right reason? I think you missed my point. I may have entered to feed my kids but I found myself in the process and have become very good at what I do. Was the reason for entering right? Is that to say a clown shouldn't offer to paint until their art is up to par with professional face painters who spend time and energy perfecting their art? If the children are happy and no one is being hurt do the rules still apply? Not judging just asking, I find this facinating.

The clown questions always seem to get so nasty..... Everyone, stay calm.

Yes, clowns get just as upset about people painting or twisting in a clown costume and not playing the part as face painters get about people using craft paint. Bad clowns are what create clown phobias.

On the topic of the base colour again, the new "Lite Auguste" style uses no base. I can tell you without a doubt, even half of the top professionals don't even wear it anymore. Wear it if you like.... to each their own.

The original poster (and I am HAPPY about it) asked a very legitimate question about BEING a clown. She takes her reputation seriously and doesn't want to be part of the group that the clowns view as "the problem" ... just like face painters see "craft paint hookers." I clown for the money, make no mistake, I have a family that needs this money desperately. But I also take it VERY seriously... Do it right, or don't do it. If you want to dress in a bright and colourful costume at the request of a customer, fine, but PLEASE DON'T WEAR A NOSE IF YOU AREN'T A CLOWN. Wear a costume, wear a wig, whatever... but when the child asks if you are a clown, be honest and don't wear a nose.

I'm not judging, I'm trying to protect my art form, just as you try to protect yours.

I started as a clown w/ minimal training. I still have old listings of me as a clown(sorry, didn't know better & can't get the sites to change the info). I've transitioned into just a face painter but I'll sometimes put on a silly costume. I'm very up-front that I'm NOT a clown, I'm not tallented at magic tricks or putting on a show(realllyyy... I'm not). I am silly in my natural personality & that comes out big time while I face paint.
Some day i might look back at clowning, but I'm too focused on the face painting aspect right now. It's a growth process. We have a clown ally here, but they meet on a night I have other obligations:-(

On a side note & question.... The grease paint & setting powder was so hard on my eyes & broke me out sooo bad I couldn't wear it. What do you suggest if I ever wanted to revisit clowning(this was a big factor on why I stopped persuing it)?

This is all very interesting to me b/c i have had people wanting me to dress up as a clown even though I told them I dont clown or have routines and most importantly i dont have a costume. I do have a wig and can paint my face, but thats wasnt enough. She wanted me in costume even if i didnt do a routine (just wanted fp and bt). So it got me to thinking about getting a professional clown type of costume (skirt with ruffles..think cutesy) and be a cutesy character that does fp and bt. I was speaking about this to a Professional clown and she encouraged me to get the professional costume and tweek it to my style and be a cutesy type of character b/c (thses are her words not mine) i "dont like to play dumb" meaning, well I hope you get it and not take it the wrong way (she's a really good friend of mine so we speak plainly to each other) and to not call my self a clown, but to offer Blu Angel as a face painting/ balloon twisting character and to make sure I told the client as such. Sorry about the Run on sentence. I do respect the clown art, but my opinion is that not just ANYONE can be a true professional clown. It has to come from within (the heart) and only gets better with practice! I say do what you have to or want to do, but do it right....ok kinda lost my train of thought as the tylonal cold is kicking in. LOVE YOU GUYS...

oh yeah and ps there is no "certian type" of personality you have to have. I think you just have to try it and if your comfy with it that awesome if not then nope. Your personality just makes you different like no matter how similar two fps are, their work is different....ugh i give up...it sounded better in my head...*darn medicine*

oh yeah and ps there is no "certian type" of personality you have to have. I think you just have to try it and if your comfy with it that awesome if not then nope. Your personality just makes you different like no matter how similar two fps are, their work is different....ugh i give up...it sounded better in my head...*darn medicine*

LOL! It made sense to me & I'm not on meds:-)

Thanks Rosie T. I was making my original post and while typing Magic and Perry posted and a message came up when I hit send. I didn't save it and it got lost so I had to retype it and guess I stepped on toes unknowingly. Anyway, you got what I was trying to say. Look, I get paid too. I need the money too. I lost my career job and thank goodness I am able to bring something in doing clowning and face painting. But just as I get really upset when I see someone using craft paint and a poor job painting (as we all do because when someone looks at them they are looking at us) so I feel the same way about clowning. You can wear a wig and costume but please not the nose-as was stated and please don't call yourself a clown. You can be a 'happy human'. As for makeup, many are switching to foundation for smoothing their skin tone. Priscilla Mooseburger recommends that. I use Starblend for a base. I do use grease paint for my eyes and lips but some sensitive clowns have used lipstick. I'm not sure what you would use for white. I believe there are some makeups out there for sensitive skin. ProKNOWS makes a setting powder so you don't have to use talc any more. It's pretty nice and you don't have to wait 5-10 min. for it to set. Anyway, please don't be offended by my post. It wasn't meant to be.

what is this nose rule?

No offense taken here. I know of many clowns that are now face painters & many face painters that are now clowns & some that do both & more.

Thank you for the info on make-up.

Lost another post. I better take a typing class I'm not sure of any 'rule' as such about our nose, but, the nose identifies us. All clowns wear a nose. Some tramp clowns wear flesh colored noses. Some female clowns wear hearts, flowers, stars, glittery ones, some paint them on but we all have a nose. It says we are clowns, not happy humans. Maybe someone else here with more knowledge knows a better answer.

Don't feel bad I lost one too!
I find all this facinating.
I will paint myself however I want because I am a painter that's what I do. Sorry if it is offensive to the clowns. I will never say I am a clown because I am not. I find all these rules a bit binding when I am really just trying to make people and myself happy. Are there any rules for clowns saying they are face painters?

From what I've read, clowns primarily were the face painters (ie Mama Clown 30 yrs. ago) but many broke away to become exclusively painters and now many, many people just paint. Many are artists and makeup artists and others just fell in love. Me, I'm a clown who fell in love with painting. I want to be the best painter that I can. I call myself a painter loosely because I'm relatively new and struggle with everything, but I don't want to embarrass the craft. I want the kids to be thrilled and I don't want other painters to say I should go to balloons