Clown Critique

Just Clowning Around (JCA) will review and critique all members before they may represent JCA at events as a clown. Clowns must also have paid their annual dues to both JCA and COAI to participate in events. You can dress as you wish when doing personal events, but we ask all our members to conform to the standards set by COAI when appearing with JCA.

As part of an International clown group, we represent all clowns and we want to present the best possible clowns. A clown shouldn't look like a contestant at a tacky party. A good clown's make-up should not look ghoulish, but neat and attractive. A clown doesn't need to spend a lot of money on expensive costumes and shoes to look good.

The purpose of Just Clowning Around of Northern Virginia (JCA) is to promote, preserve and present the time-honored profession of clowning. This club tries to educate and encourage its members to achieve the highest levels in the art of clowning. When we go out and represent JCA as a group of clowns, we want all of our members to look their best and give the impression that our members are wonderful and friendly clowns. Our goal is to perpetuate professionalism, education, and fun in the art of clowning. We must remember that when people see us in our clown costumes and make-up, that we are represening ALL clowns.

Our members can help by working to become the best clown that they can be, both in appearance and skills. Our clowns should work to make sure their makeup and wardrobe follow the standards set by COAI and are suitable for the clown's character type and for clowning in general. Costumes sold in retail stores for Halloween should be avoided. Costumes, wigs, shoes, accessories and props should always be kept clean and in good repair.

If a clown feels they are unable to put on their makeup in a neat and professional looking manner, makeup help is available. Many of our members have offered makeup support for any clown seeking help getting ready for an event. (You must provide your own makeup kit and powder.) JCA recognizes five types of clown styles: Whiteface, Auguste, Character, Tramp/Hobo, and Light Auguste.

Below are the official clown critique guidelines.

JCA Clown Critique Guidelines

The total clown character should be well coordinated. Each element should have a strong positive influence on the whole character. Each item should be a necessary part, the absence of which would leave the character incomplete.

1. HEAD:

Is the head covering appropriate and effective?
Does the upper image frame well?

Does the style of head covering go with the make-up? The character? Does it add to the effect of the clown or is it just there? Is it coordinated with the rest of the wardrobe. If a wig is used, is it brushed out, well trimmed, away from the eye and eyebrow make-up so that the area around the eyes are visible? Is the hat (no hat) appropriate for the wig? Is the hat too big or small for the clown type?

Consider the head covering, the wig, the shoulder, collar, tie area as a picture frame; is this area complete? Does the frame direct attention to the eyes? Or is the focus scattered? Is the frame distinct or does it all blend into a common mass? Does the make-up design coordinate with the frame?


2. MAKE-UP:

Is the clown's make-up design clean, clear, and distinctive?

Does the design create a clear, clean (uncluttered), distinctive (natural to the face) expression, using muscles and lines in the face? Visible, is the face clearly seen? Does the wig hide part of the face? Is it too busy (too many designs or colors)? Are some of the features (mouth, eyebrows, etc.) too large or too small for the face? Is the clown nose too large or too small? Is the make-up design the best shape for the character portrayed? Would a different nose improve the face design? Does the design adequately mask facial hair? Or is the hair worked into the design? Does the mouth (smile) design cover the upper lip (upper and lower lip should be different colors)?

Is the clown's make-up well applied, complete, dry and powdered?

Is the make-up complete? Applied to back of neck (face or white face character) and to the ears? Thick enough (opaque) so that the skin does not show through? Dry? Powdered? Smooth? Blended well? Are there sharp distinctions between colors? Are the mouth, eyebrows, etc. contrasting in color or outlined with contrasting color? Can the outlines be seen at the distance the clown would normally be working (3 to 40 feet)? Are the features even (same size/height)? Is the facial hair completely covered?


3. NECK:

Is the appearance of the collar, tie, neck apparel, etc. coordinated and effective?

Does the clown's coat, vest, shirt, collar, tie etc. coordinate? Are they appropriate for the character portrayed? Does the neck area appear complete? Or do you feel that something is lacking or needed in this area to complete the look.


4. TORSO:

Does the wardrobe from the collar to the waist, front and back, appear clean, complete, and appropriate for his character?

Is the wardrobe appropriate for the character portrayed? Does the shirt/tie area (front) look complete? If no bow or tie used does the front seem empty, appear to need something? Is the wardrobe clean, neat, and pressed (except for Tramp/Hobo)? Are the jacket, coat, vest, shirt, and tie coordinated? Is back of wardrobe from collar to waist clean and neat? Is there a design or accessory (such as buttons) that would make it more interesting than a plain back?


5. WAIST:

Does the wardrobe from the waist down, front and back, appear clean, complete, and appropriate for the clown or character?

Do the slacks or pants coordinate or contrast with the coat/jacket, vest, shirt, cummerbund, shoes, socks etc.? Are they clean, neat pressed (except Tramp/Hobo)? Do they contribute to the whole image? Or do they detract?


6. GLOVES:

Gloves are to be worn by all clowns.

The color of the gloves are a personal choice and will add to the total look of the character. The Tramp, Hobo and the Bag Lady are to have distressed gloves that are faded from wear. Tea will stain gloves to give the very old warn look, if colored leave out in the sun for a few days to fade.


7. LEGS:

The leg look will be reflected by the gender of the clown as well as the type of wardrobe being worn.

Length of pants - pants need to be fitted to the clown being portrayed, yet the pants are not effective to look or movement if they are too tight.

Length of skirt - the skirt needs to be long enough to show the design or pattern in or on the fabric. However the length needs to be effective to the rest of the wardrobe. Street length is not to be considered. If your clown is female the under garments are most effective if they peek out from under the length of the skirt.

Petticoats - Can add color to the look and should be full enough to hold the skirt out but not so full that a child can walk underneath.

Bloomers - Can add effect to the wardrobe with color, buttons, bows and ruffles they are most effective when they show from under the skirt.


8. SOCKS OR TIGHTS:

Socks and tights are needed to add color and to complete the clown look. Tights are needed to be worn by both male and female especially if the leg skin will show when sitting or while in movement. Follow your colors in your socks and/or tights, head to foot (matching hat to socks) tights could match shirt blend your accent color with buttons and bows these can also be added to socks.


9. SHOES:

Is the appearance of the clown’s footwear effective and appropriate for the character?

Do the shoes contribute to the character? Are they neat, clean, polished, and in good repair except for Tramp/Hobo? Tramp/Hobo shoes should be dark (black or dark brown) and worn looking in appearance. Holes in either the tops or soles are appropriate. August's shoes are colored, often bright, multicolored, and with designs. The colors should be picked up elsewhere in the wardrobe. White face clown shoes are often white or a combination of white and some other color. They are rarely black. Mainly dance shoes are used dyed to color coordinate. Street shoes do not contribute to the illusion of a clown.


10. ACCESSORIES:

Do the accessories add to and/or make the wardrobe more effective?

Accessories, such as gloves, belts, suspenders, buttons, and other decoration are vital. They make the wardrobe unique! Gloves are mandatory for all Whiteface clowns, Auguste, may wear colored gloves, and Tramp and Hobo may wear gloves treated to appear dirty and distressed, full of holes or no gloves at all. Consider each accessory. Does it contribute to the clown character? Does it detract? Does it make a difference? Is it in good taste? Is there an area that needs something, button, flower, a design a bit of color, etc.?


11. PROP:

Does the prop complete the character or help to identify the character?

When props are carried they should have a purpose and to help identify or complete the character. The prop should be clean, distinctive and have a purpose or use. Such as the Hobo/Tramp stick with the cloth wrapped on the end which hold the belongings of the character.


12. GENERAL APPEARANCE:

What is your first impression of the clown?

How does the total appearance impress you? Does the clown look like he/she will make you laugh? Does the clown have a pleasing look? Scary? Do all parts of the wardrobe, accessories, make-up. etc. go together to visually communicate the type of clown or the type of character?