Virtual Snooks

1
Virtual Snooks

• Learning to Clown in the 21st Century

2
How to use the Computer to Become a Cyber-Savvy
Clown

• Research
• Shopping
• Communication
• Graphics

3
Using The Computer

• Research
• Definition of Clown
• History of Clowns
• Some Famous Clowns
• Types of Clowns
• Clown Culture
• Clown Gimmicks

4
Research Clown Definition

• What is a clown?
• According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, a clown
  is "a familiar comic character of pantomime and
  circus, known by his (sic) distinctive makeup and
  costume, ludicrous antics, and buffoonery, whose
  purpose is to induce hearty laughter. The clown,
  unlike the traditional fool or court jester,
  usually performs a set routine characterized by
  broad, graphic humor, absurd situations, and
  vigorous physical action".

5
Research Clown History

• The first documented professional comic (clown)
  characters are the Dorian Mimes who started
  performing in Ancient Greece during the 7th
  century BC. -
• www.charliethejugglingclown.com
• www.theclownmuseum.org

6
History - continued

• During the Middle Ages, jesters adopted a
  standard uniform of bright green and yellow, and
  jingle bells. precursors to Santas elves and
  maybe Santa, as well.
• www.sunniebunniezz.com

7
Research Famous Clowns

• Emmett Kelly, Sr. The Tramp
• Charlie Chaplin The Little Tramp
• Red Skelton Freddy the Freeloader
• Bob Keeshon Clarabelle
• Ronald McDonald Willard Scott
• Patch Adams Clown therapy
• www.drclown.ca

8
Emmett Kelly, Sr.
9
Self-Portrait
10
Emmett Kelly

• Emmett Kelly, Sr. (December 9, 1898 - March 28,
  1979) - Weary Willy
• Emmett Kelly Sr., the most well-known of the
  tramp clowns of the circus. His character, Weary
  Willy, was the perpetual underdog, who never gave
  up - and, because of it, occasionally won.  He
  was inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame in
  1989.  In 2007, the Emmett Kelly Museum will
  celebrate its 40th anniversary with an attempt
  at breaking the worlds record for the largest
  gathering of clowns

11
Emmett Kelly

• Emmett Kelly Sr. died of a heart attack on March
  28, 1979, at his home in Sarasota, Florida, USA.
  He is memorialized by the Emmett Kelly Museum in
  his birth town of Sedan, KS.

12
The Circus

• The circus! The magical city That appears and
  disappears with the bat of an eye. A cathedral
  for children and adults Made of canvas and
  trimmed with red wagons.
• A sunburst of wheel, pink lemonade and cotton
  candy. A temple housing the unity of man and
  beast... All performing for the good of their
  fellow man With shouts of glory.

13
Circus, continued

• The perfomers only reward is the echo of the
  applause And laughter of children. It cradles
  them to sleep. As the red wagons roll from city
  to city.
• The clown hides his sorrows behind a mask
  -- Sometimes grotesque, sometimes sad, but
  always with a whimsy that is an
  encouragement That makes any deformity of life
  seem minute.

14
Circus, continued

• A lesson in humanity, where man and beast risk
  life and limb for the meager reward of
  applause. How sad it would be if my youth would
  pass away And not see the beauty of the big red
  wagons, And taste the rare vintage of pink
  lemonade!
• Or become so blasé that I couldnt offer a
  silent prayer For the man on the flying
  trapeze, Or sigh as I watch him swing to and
  fro.

15
Circus, continued

• I see my own life in motion like the
  pendulum On the huge clock that ticks away
  life. Oh, keep me young without
  prejudices. Without haste, so that I will be
  young. So that my heart will be filled with
  glee Next year, when the big red wagons roll in
  again!
• To me, a great clown said thatmy Dad.
• Red Skelton

16
Red Skelton as Freddy the Freeloader
17
Red Skelton

• "If some day youre not feeling well, you should
  remember some little thing I have said or done
  and if it brings a smile to your face or a
  chuckle to your heart then my purpose as a clown
  has been fulfilled."Red Skelton

18
Red Skelton

• . His most famous character, the tramp clown
  Freddy the Freeloader, awaited the advent of his
  television show in 1951.

19
Red Skelton

• Red had nurtured a lifelong interest in painting,
  with individual paintings fetching in excess of
  80,000he estimated that he earned over 2
  million per year from his lithographs of clowns.
• Red Skelton was inducted into the Clown Hall of
  Fame in 1989.
• He died of pneumonia on September 17, 1997 at his
  home in Rancho Mirage, California, USA.

20
Research Clown Types

• European, neat whiteface
• Grotesque or Comedy White-face
• Auguste
• Character

21
White face clown
22
White-Face

• White-face clown is straight man to the Auguste
  clown
• Clothes fit very well and in proportion
• All exposed skin is covered with whiteface
• May wear a tiny hat on top

23
Grotesque White-Face
24
Grotesque Whiteface

• The "Grotesque" Whiteface clown exaggerates
  everything about himself, his pants, shoes,
  collars, ears, and wig are bigger, wider, or
  baggier than is usual. Grotesque Whiteface design
  may include large false eyelashes, a larger mouth
  design, a clown nose and other features on the
  face.

25
Auguste Clown
26
Auguste Clown

• Auguste clown Auguste means fool in German
• Clothes dont fit properly
• Shoes very large
• Pretends to be not very bright
• Most of makeup is flesh-colored, not white

27
Tramp Clown (Character Clowns)

• Only clown type created in America
• Emmett Kelly, Sr. Creator
• Similar to Auguste Clown
• Carol Burnetts Charwoman same type

28
Naming Your Clown

• Candy Kisses gives out candy
• Pickles Just a silly name
• Snooks after a radio comic
• Pockets Lots of large pockets in costume

29
Research Clown Gimmicks

• Magic Tricks
• Skits
• Balloon Animals
• Clown Schools
• www.theclownmuseum.org

30
Shopping

• Clown Makeup
• Clown Costumes
• Clown Accessories
• Clown Gimmicks
• www.theclownstore.com

31
Communication

• Clown Classes
• Networking with Clown Associations
• Advertising for Clowning Gigs
• Advertising for Clown Accoutrements
• www.clown-ministry.com
• www.clownsforhire.com
• www.clown-forum.com
• www.charliethejugglingclown.com

32
Graphics

• To design Clown Face
• No upper lip, for instance
• To design costume
• To use as props (Gallagher)