CLOWN BOOT CAMP PREPARATION

IF YOU ARE REGISTERED FOR BOTH THE MASK AND CLOWN INTENSIVE (BABY CLOWN) AND BOOT CAMP, AVOID READING THIS DOCUMENT. AVOID THE HOMEWORK PORTION UNTIL YOU ARE IN THE SECOND WEEK OF THE MASK AND CLOWN INTENSIVE.

This workshop is the next stage of exploration after Baby Clown. Using various writing and development techniques and exercises to evoke both left and right brain involvement, you will explore your own unique approach to the creation of material and performance. The mask and colour work is expanded upon to deepen your relationship with them as both a source for material as well as character for performance.

It is perfect for those coming fresh out of The Mask and Clown Intensive (Baby Clown) or for those who seek to reacquaint themselves with the foundations of this style. The 6 days will begin with an emphasis on exploration and creation but will move towards the development of pieces for performance. Students should be aware they will be quite challenged and expected to deepen and stretch their clown after hours with additional homework.

Although some duo work may happen towards the end of the class as a teaser, the work will be primarily solo, getting further and deeper into your own masks and colours. This will include gesture work, the further development of the worlds of your masks, and the relationship between the disparate varied worlds of your masks and colours with the worlds and potentials of your clown.

Because we are constantly trying to expand on what clown is and/or how clown training can be used, consider bringing a short piece that might not traditionally be thought of as clown: a song, a poem, a movement or dance piece, monologue etc. all qualify. It can be original or something you’ve used or done before. We may not get to it for the first few days, but it is great to begin to broaden our ideas on how this work can be applied. This piece should be under 5 minutes.

The performance of any prepared clown pieces you have is not essential. It would be better to spend your preparation time on mask review. Remember that reading your notes (if you have any) from Baby Clown, and being able to recite them back, is not the same as your body knowing it all. It only takes a few minutes a day to “walk” your masks through your body and rediscover the feeling and rhythm of each. 

Most of all, have fun and get yourself off!

- John Turner & Jenny Hazelton

ONCE AGAIN, DO NOT SCROLL FURTHER IF YOU ARE STILL IN BABY CLOWN! YOU HAVE ALREADY GONE TOO FAR!

THE HOMEWORK

First and foremost make sure you're going through your masks regularly, and that means physicalizing. Be sure to fully and physically review your impulse 6 situations and your waving goodbye scenarios. This emotionally driven physical movement, coupled with the specific scenario visualization is the beginning of your gesture work for each mask (innocence/experience). If you are already panicking, worry not.

THE TENS - Do all this on your own. Don't worry about how it's going to go into a piece or character.

1. Write down three or four sentences about each of at least 10 things in the world of living that are really important to you, that you believe in, personal credo, stuff to live by etc.

2. Make a list of at least 10 fears (be specific and intense).

3. Make a list of at least 10 ecstasies. 

4. Make a list of 10 things you've always wanted to do in life.

5. Make a list of 10 things you've always wanted to do or really really want to do on stage. 

6. Make a list of 10 emotional transitions you like or would like to try.

7. Make a list of 10 of the coolest things you have seen on stage/film and why they blew you away.(acting, set, lighting, sound)

8. Make a list of at least 10 really cool images. Don't think about how to work it on stage, it may end up as action. Just go for the images.

9. Make a list of at least 10 pieces of music that move you physically or emotionally or both. Stuff that really Jazzes you!

10. Come up with at least 10 clown/character names both gibberish and otherwise for yourself. 

Here is a list of other categories you can make lists of ideas for over the rest of your lifetime. Again, don’t worry about how or even if they’re going into your piece.

1. Set (Décor)

2. Costume

3. Lights (Eclairage)

4. Sound (Son)

5. Music (Musique)

6. Make-up (Maquillage)

7. Props (Accessoires)

8. Short phrases or sentences (Petite phrase)

9. Longer writings (Grande phrase)

10. Conversation (dialogue) general

11. Images

12. Movement

13. Special effects (Effets speciaux)

14. Action

15. Scènes

16. Choréographie

17. Setting or location (Lieux)

18. Characters (Personnage)

19. Emotional journeys or transitions (Cheminements émotionnel)

20. Emotional themes (Thèmes émotionnel)