Send in the Clowns

March 1, 2004 1:01 PM

I may apply for this clown job, anyone with any experience have some pointers or links?

General
CLOWN NEEDED - Weekend job, no experience necessary. [phone].
Published in The Flint Journal on 02/29/04

here is the job link. done santa many times, had some acting and a little theatre in college. I'm saying, why not?

posted by clavdivs to Work & Money (15 answers total)

Well, there's that joke about being a clown that's quite possibly the most offensive, disturbing joke ever. Other than that, it's a fine vocation. Good luck to you sir!
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 1:40 PM on March 1, 2004

stupidsexyFlanders: go on then, what is it? Don't make me make it an FPP.
posted by biffa at 2:50 PM on March 1, 2004

A little makeup of a bright color goes much further than you may think. Full whiteface is not at all necessary.

Get a couple joke books for kids and memorize them.

Please, please, please, no fart jokes. I have seen a number of kids' shows and entertainers over the last couple years, and every stinking one of them had at least one fart joke; one had an entire fart routine. So, no fart jokes. Unless if involves a horse. Or Janet Jackson.

But do consider wearing a cup. ;-P
posted by mischief at 3:04 PM on March 1, 2004

I didn't think there were any clowns in Michigan.
posted by the fire you left me at 3:19 PM on March 1, 2004

kids love fart jokes, so definitely do them (any bodily function, actually). It sounds like fun--i'd give it a shot. (but where do you get the shoes?) : >
posted by amberglow at 3:40 PM on March 1, 2004

but where do you get the shoes?

Duh! Bubba's Clown Supplies, naturally.
posted by anathema at 3:57 PM on March 1, 2004

Also check Spear's Clown shoes.
posted by mischief at 4:02 PM on March 1, 2004

how cool! You have to do it, clav!
posted by amberglow at 4:11 PM on March 1, 2004

kids love fart jokes, so definitely do them (any bodily function, actually). It sounds like fun--i'd give it a shot.

Wow. That can be taken in several very wrong, very horrible ways.
posted by Danelope at 4:20 PM on March 1, 2004

ooo--i just realized. (but get your mind out of the gutter--or playground)
posted by amberglow at 5:28 PM on March 1, 2004

Biffa, email me. It's that bad.
posted by luser at 6:11 PM on March 1, 2004

aye go for it clav , break a leg and all that , just enjoy yourself mate .
posted by sgt.serenity at 9:44 AM on March 2, 2004

ideas for make-up:

Fellini's I Clowns

here's il maestro himself

here's Placido Domingo

cool hat

not completely on-topic but always interesting:
STEALING THE CLOWN'S CLOTHES
Stan Laurel's Relationship with Chaplin
posted by matteo at 11:48 AM on March 2, 2004

There has to be some literature on this :

"Clowning made eassy..."

Oh, there it is:

Be a clown! - The complete guide to instant clowning :

"Book Description
Written by the towering Turk Pipkin, a 6' 7" professional clown, BE A CLOWN! The Complete Guide To Instant Clowning provides the know-how, techniques, encouragement--and official red plastic nose--needed to put kids of all ages in the center ring. This lively, humorous handbook covers all aspects of clownmanship, including makeup, funny faces, costume (how to make big clown shoes at home), and props like the Bouncing Hankie. Fully illustrated throughout, it reveals step-by-step the secrets of Slapstick, Timing & Takes, and Juggling. Develop your own oddball walk, swallow chair legs--you'll always have a stunt up your sleeve. 72,000 copies in print. "

I always preferred Harpo Marx, as a clown.

Best of luck, clavdivs.
posted by troutfishing at 9:31 PM on March 3, 2004

Also - Flint's a tough place for anyone, clowns included. You're probably rooted to the area, but if not.....
posted by troutfishing at 9:34 PM on March 3, 2004