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chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
Red Skelton was a GOD.
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Skip - What a great post to come back on!
Although I must admit, Skelton never made me laugh. |
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Thanks, Nick - and you, too, Al! Missed ya, you ol' juggler! If we were all wired the same it would be a VERY boring world indeed! We don't have to agree to enjoy an intelligent discussion, eh?
I started to retort with "Well, Benny Hill and Paul Hogan never made me laugh..." but, that would just be a bold faced lie.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
Just saw a clip - if you count this guy as a clown, he sure reminds me of a lot of the qualities that got me laughs (yes, at kid parties) - Jack Benny.
The man could express unbelievable "performer getting frustrated in the midst of his act" with a pause, and cap it for a bigger laugh with a slow take (not even a change of expression). |
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Kevin Mc Lean New user Kevin Mc Lean 57 Posts |
Wow, what an animated thread.
Mr Billdentertainer's link was really cool and I'm going to add his publication to my Christmas list. (I think he might also have a point about the fact that we might be in wrong Café area too). Nice to hear those names mentioned with reverence. Yep, who could forget Red Skelton. On the subject of sacred truth and such. I've always thought that sure some people get it, but it's really only about 20% of an average audience that are going to think about it. Some performers get around it by having a 'mythic' orientation to their shows and really concentrating on it, but if it's overdone it can bore you to tears. I'm sure we all know shows that were orientated that way too much. I kind of think that gradually we are getting a broader definition of the term "clown" and I think the public understands this too and queues up to see them. I think the art form is alive and well and evolving. Best wishes, Kevin Mc Lean. |
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Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
Skip. I totally agree with the clown clubs causing a lot of damage to clowning. This is why I have lectured to some clown alleys. (hence my booklet and the excerpts that are on the link posted above)
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Unfortunately, Bill, it isn't the local clubs doing the most damage. It's the set-in-their-ways, Ain't-gonna-change upper echelon behind the corporate identity. Even the elected officers who want change are powerless to make things happen as they're over-ruled by the old brown-shoes. Sad. Clowning could be so much more with the right support on a national level. Glad to see you and those like you trying to change your small part of that world, though!
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
It's a tough struggle, but it seems most of the people I meet do end up rethinking some things about their "characters" and what it means to be a clown. I have seen a rise in quality in clowning in my area lately. My best friend is a clown and she has taken on my advice and has worked sans make-up. She has found, that barely anybody batted an eye (except other "clowns") with the change. Fortunately she was already in tune with character development. She has two characters. One for care-clowning and the other as the birthday clown. We have been working on her stage shows which she is just getting into.
The actual toughest part is educating the general public. I now am the proud writer of a monthly column in a local magazine geared towards parents and their children. I have the opportunity to advise on everything from party planning to hiring entertainment (with a total objective view of course). |
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One Man Elite user Frederick, MD 491 Posts |
Just to chime in on a few points. I went to Ringling Clown College in 1984 and spent 3 years on the Blue show. While I agree with many of the thoughts expressed here I think a few points may be askew. The evolution of the American circus clown has more to do with environment than anything else. The intimate environment of the European one ring circuses were well suited to character driven themes and routines. The advent of the American circus brought three rings and an enormously spacious environment. This large expanse of audience required makeups to be bigger and bolder to be visible from the "cheap seats". The large audience also precluded the intimate style of the European clowns. Large situational pieces with large visual gags and broad humor filled this expanse nicely. Verbal humor was almost impossible to use. All of this took place well before Ringling opened the doors to Clown College in 1968.
You also must consider that there are different styles of clowning. Just like close up and stage magic, clowning for a circus and clowning on the stage or even birthday party clowning are quite different. My style of performing and character evolved into something different after leaving the circus and moving to the stage. Ringling has turned out many clowns over the years but each one had formal quality training across a wide breadth of disciplines. This is more than can be said for most magicians, clowns and other variety performers. There are many clowns out there trying to create real art. I recently was in China for the first ever clown festival to be held in that country. I saw a wide array of performers (50 or so clowns) from many different backgrounds (some Ringling some not) each presenting a unique vision. And what worked best was caveman clowning. Slaps, falls and butt kicks and universal truthes. At the same time there are many more bad clowns out there...but this is true of magicians and other variety artists as well. I feel the blame lies with the clown clubs and more importantly with the open access to information and resources. Even 25 years ago, when I got my start, if you wanted to learn how to become a clown or a magician you had to work for it. After devouring what information you could find at your local library you were ready to take the next step. If you were'nt lucky enough to have a magic shop, clown club or juugling club in your town your prospects were to find a friend who shared your interest or a pro willing to mentor or go it alone. If you possessed the drive to overcome these obstacles you had the drive to become a quality performer. Present times allow anyone with a keyboard to order the supplies and resources in an afternoon and be ready to become a performer the following weekend. No dues to pay. No obstacles to overcome. These same people then become the resident experts on internet chat boards. Sorry to rant on for so long but I mostly wanted to defend the Ringling name. Clown College has seen many great performers walk through its halls...Michael Davis, Penn Jillette, Bill Irwin, Barry Lubin, Dick Monday and many more performers out there grinding it out. In most cases when you see a real Ringling trained clown you will know it but for the right reasons. Kevin Brown |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Kevin
What a post. I learned so much. Thank you Al
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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The Mighty Fool Inner circle I feel like a big-top tent having 2140 Posts |
Red Skelton never gave me a chuckle either. The 3 stooges & Buster Keaton are the Deities of classic comedey IMHO. As for clowns, only Cirque Du Soleil seems to be keeping the true 'art' of it alive.
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
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Eldon Inner circle Virden, IL 1137 Posts |
Dan,
Watching this Video remindes me of Troy Roark's act. Eldon Quote:
On 2007-09-11 19:36, Danny Hustle wrote: |
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Eldon Inner circle Virden, IL 1137 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-09-11 22:42, chris mcbrien wrote: Chris, I agree Red was a God and a pretty good magician. Whenever in my area performing he would always hang out at the local Magic Shops. What a treat for us that happened to stop by and spend the rest of the afternoon with him. He loved to talk magic. Eldon |
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One Man Elite user Frederick, MD 491 Posts |
This post should really be moved to the clown forum. First the clown forum is gasping for air. The loss of posts back to January only put the forum at 4 or 5 less, I think. And this could be the first multi page post.
And it is so bad over there that even the guys going to China for an upcoming "Clown" festival are posting in the Juggling forum. God save the clowns.... As one final note on this subject I personally think that too many people think being funny equals being a clown. A true clown can make you cry as well as laugh. IMHO there are only a handful of true good clowns. Myself not inlcuded! Kevin |
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chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
Actually, Kevin, you did make me cry. Wish there were more real clowns!
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rogueclown Veteran user Hollywood 320 Posts |
Kevin,
You are a TRUE clown. You had me rolling at the Clown Reunion at Mrytle Beach back in 05. Take care and have fun in China!!! RC Ed Medrano |
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One Man Elite user Frederick, MD 491 Posts |
Alas...I can not go to China this time....but I'm hoping for February. I'm sorry I am going to miss Tuba and Zeiser and the DeSantos and so many more...
<<--crying and water is squirting out of my handkercheif. Kevin |
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