Is Performer Insurance Important?

Hi David!

Why the need for this type insurance?

Who do recommend for entertainer's liability insurance?

How much coverage?

Is it cheaper to join COAI or Clowns of America membership to get the best bang for the buck?

You can always buy an insurance policy when you need it.  The events that require insurance, usually will hire you a while ahead of time, giving you time to get your policy. 

I don't think insurance is necessary.  I've never heard of anyone ever using their insurance.  But it's nice to have, makes me feel legitimate. That's not a bad reason to have it.  OR you have a client requiring a policy.

I carry insurance because I'm asked for it.  If you work in schools and libraries it might come up you are asked for your insurance.  But it's not consistent.  Some ask, some don't. 

These places are government, so they often cover you on their own insurance. 

I use Specialty Insurance

http://www.specialtyinsuranceagency.com/

This is a regular insurance agency that became somewhat specialized in insurance for performers.  They cover clowns, jugglers, santa, fire eaters, dancers and cover agents that hire lots of performers. 

The other source is through Clown's of America.  I believe they are both about the same price.  I orginally chose Specialty Insurance because I would have to join COAI in order to qualify.  So, this was simply cheaper.  If you're a member of COAI, it might be a better deal for you.  

I doubt there is much difference between policies. 

Venues require a 2 to 3 million dollar liability coverage.  It's nothing personal that's just a standard a school a hotel or a library requires from their insurance.  These insurance policies are set up to meet the minimum standards. 

I pay about $225 a year.  

My opinion, I wouldn't get insurance until it's required.  You are covered by homeowners, car, whomever hires you, they will have insurance.  The odds of needing the insurance are slim.  

When you need it, you can buy it.  I sort of put it in the category of buying a business liscence.  You don't really need it, until you are working full time and have to for tax purposes.  I was required to get a business license, I was required to get insurance after a while. 

Be aware, just having the policy is not the final step.  The venue will require you put their name on your insurance.  You will have to email the insurance to put your client's name on there.  

Types of Make-Up

Sherry Wrote:

Hi Boswick! What can u advise about make-up? How can u keep it from cracking out around the mouth & eyes? I'm talking about theatrical grease based make-up that requires powder to set. Is there better types of makeup that wears as well as grease makeup? I have an Auguste clown & soon a lite Auguste character clown...wanna write about the difference btwn the two? It would probably help in my developing one from the other....Thx!!


I've used a lot of make-up in my life.  I've been in make-up nearly half the days of my adult life.  

When my older son was young and my wife was getting ready for work one day, he said "what are you doing?  women don't wear make-up".  

I don't use water based make up.  I was trained with grease paint.  The few times I've tried water based make up, I just sweat it off.  

Make-up brands are a personal choice.  I use Krylon.  Not for a strong reason but the Krylon company happens to be headquartered in San Francisco, so I just run into the store for supplies.  

I don't like the clown white that Krylon makes, too thin for my taste.  I like the Mehron. It's the consistency of cream cheese, very thick but that's what I like.  I don't use clown white much anymore. 

I'm not a water based make up fan.  I like the richer look of the oil based make ups.  I can also splash water on my make up, after powdering to make it shine.  It lasts all day.  It's tougher to take off but that doesn't bother me that much.  I use the special stuff from Krylon that makes the oil based make up water soluble, then I wash it off in the shower.  I used to just use baby oil and wash it with baby shampoo.  

The cracking around your eyes probably comes from a skin reaction to the brand you are using.  I would first try switching brands.  

The light Auguste is using a light make up as a base. You don't have to wear the orange or pinkish base as an Auguste clown.  You can wear a base make up close to your skin tone.  

I like the smoothness of this look.  I hate it when I see men not wear a base, it just looks half done and sloppy to me.  I don't want to see the shaving area.  Even if you do a tramp, I think it should be covered and added in as a stylized look.  I think women should also wear a base.  Women's faces have a smoother skin tone but still, it's a nicer style to have the whole look even.  

I think using the skin tone closer to your own natural skin is a gentler clown.  I think it's a little nicer for the children to come close to you.  The more orange base looks stronger from a distance but is not as soft up close.  

Clown make-up is very personal.  Clown make-up is not about hiding, it's about emphasizing features.  

What Makes a Clown?

I take clown in the broader sense.  That is Pee Wee Herman, Stephen Colbert, Banksy the artist.  Clowning is about being a character but on closer examination you are bringing taunting to that character or characterization.

That character has to be very personal to the person.

Pee Wee brought clown to the world of children's tv.  That is not to say, children don't find him endearing and wonderful and loving.  Pee Wee did a clown in the middle of the rules of Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers and Barney.  Pee Wee pushed from the inside out.  

Stephen Colbert is in the middle of the pundit world. He dresses and looks like a news anchor from CNN.  Colbert draws attention and laughter from being a pundit and pushing outward. 

Banksy is a street artist.  He drew attention to the world of art and pushed it outward.  No one knows what Banksy looks like.  At least not publicly.  Banksy by playing the invisible artist is playing the clown in the world of art and artists.

No one can do Stephen Colbert except Stephen Colbert.  Pee Wee Herman has an affinity toward to his humor.  Banksy is a great artist.  Part of being a clown, you are the only person in the world to be able to do that character.  

In the world of children's entertainment what do we have in common with these other clowns?  We must be ourselves.  We are in the middle of the world of preschool and story books and push from the inside out.  What makes clowns really funny is on close examination, we are pushing away from all expectations.  

Look at what everyone else is doing and throw it on it's ear.  If all clowns are doing the coloring book trick, have a child put their hands on the coloring book and fool you.  If you are making balloons, make the balloon into the shape of a telephone and call your stock broker.  Why is that funny?  it's unexpected, it's in the face of expectations and it's making a comment on the world.

Improvisation and Clowns...

Improvisation is a discipline.  It takes work to learn.  

People make the mistake of thinking anything that flies out of your mouth is "improvisation"  What you say, still has to make sense and has to lead to a next scenario   That is, if someone says to you, are you hungry?  You can say, no.  

And that's the end of the conversation.  Nothing further. 

Or you can say.  Yes, I would like, ham and cheese, a pizza, two hamburgers and a pie.  For dessert, I would like cheese crackers and a banana split.  This leads to the other person saying, something like "I meant would you like a slice of pizza"  

In improvisation, this is called "yes and..."  Keep the yes, in mind.  

Can I have a balloon?  Yes, would you like fries with that?  

Here's where clowns break with traditional improvisation.  Your clown character has an internal logic, a logic that might not be all that bright.  

But in your clown world, you are very smart.  Are you following?  Clowns are smart, they just appear dumb because the world is smarter than they are. 

Is a child dumb for eating paste?  The logic is, it tastes good let's go for it.  To the world, eating paste is dumb.  To the child eating paste it's logical to eat whatever tastes good.  

The clown tries to find solutions that make sense within clown logic.  So, clowns are not stupid, the logic is flawed.  This is why clowns are funny.  Clowns are as smart within their own world. 

Would you like something to eat?  Yes, I would like, ham and cheese, a pizza, two hamburgers and a pie.  For dessert, I would like cheese crackers and a banana split.  The flawed logic is that since you are hungry and someone is offering food, you can have as much as you want.  And, you will be able to eat as much as 5 people. 

As a clown, you create a world, then you say yes to what approaches.  

Notice where you say "no".   A no can be, in the sarcastic answer.  Think anything that makes someone not able to answer back.  

Improvisation should empower the other person.  By saying yes to whatever someone says, that gives them the opportunity to answer back or give you something.  

Clowning With a Language Barrier...

Sherry:

Was just asked to go to Honduras to clown in April!!!.....its a little different venue....street ministry so I'm twisting up critters & trying out props on folks I work with (out of makeup) but they always recognize my clown when I do it.

I want to address a couple of things in Sherry's question.  

Remember props are not clowning.  What would you do if you forgot your balloon bag?  Or the airline lost your bag?  Could you still clown?

Your clown is a physical character.  You are being recognized out of make up as a clown because of your physicality, good for you.  Now that you recognize this, you have a lot of power, power to make people laugh.  

Balloons are the icing kids are coming to see you, not the balloon.  You are the one causing the laughter and joy.  

With non English speakers, trust your clown.  Clowns go beyond language.  Be bigger, with your clown, go further than you would in the US.  

What is a clown supposed to do?  What do you know about a balloon?

Let's brainstorm...Clowns are funny, silly.  Clowns fall down.  Clowns juggle.  Clowns are nice. Clowns are cute.  Clowns make you happy.  

What can you do with that?  Say hola, but shake someones' foot instead of hand.  Kiss grandmas hand in greeting making big kiss noise.  Put a whoopee cushion down on a chair and slowly sit on it.  Put your hand in your pocket, then realize it's stuck and try to get your hand out of your pocket.  

What do you know about balloons?  Everyone knows you blow them up.  They grow.  Balloons pop.  If you don't tie a balloon it flies around the room.  If a balloon touches something sharp it will pop.  

After you blow up the balloon, tie it wrong then chase the flying balloon around. Tie a balloon, then sit on it.  If you don't tie a balloon too full, it can take a lot of pressure.  Sit and roll off the balloon or have a child try and sit on a balloon.  Accidentally pop a balloon then cry big tears.  

Clowns play with assumptions.  A chair is for sitting, we fall off it.  Soup is for eating, we try and have soup and a clam squirts water at us.  A spotlight shows us onstage then gets smaller and smaller or makes us chase it.  We tie a balloon wrong then chase it.  

Learn a few Spanish words and use them incorrectly.  You will get lots of laughter calling your head a zapata and your feet cabesa.  

I'm jealous.  You are going to have a blast (pun).  

Stage Fright...

For the next few postings, I'm going to help Sherry through some questions she emailed me.  Sherry has very generously allowed herself to be coached in public.  My hope, this will help many others in seeing yourself through her.  As always, please comment or ask questions.

Sherry asked a lot of questions.  I will try to just take one at a time.  This one leapt out at me.  I think it's very normal and effects a lot of people.

Sherry Wrote:My issue, primarily, is since my set-back 4 yrs ago (haven't been in clown & had minimal skills) I've developed a subtle stage fright which had NEVER been a problem before....and secondarily, I was robbed of my joy (to a certain extent) & forgot how to have fun, kinda....So I feel as new as a May Joey with my hands empty but my hearts in the right place

Stage Fright

Something happened 4 years ago that had you stop clowning, probably performing, causing huge self doubt about your ability, your character, if you're worthy to be a clown.  

You are bravely willing to set whatever happened aside.  That's huge. That's also very scary. 

I once horribly horribly bombed in front of 4000 people.  I was way over my head but someone offered me a gig that I took.   I still cringe thinking about that one.  Stuff happens.  It makes us who we are and makes us very brave. 

My best advice for stage fright, rehearse.  Stage Fright is essentially being stuck in your head.  Your own head is a bad neighborhood; stay out, you'll be mugged and beaten. 

Thinking about routines is not working on routines.  It's very difficult to practice clowning alone but you can work on the magic trick, juggling trick easily enough. You can also walk through a routine.  

Since you've done clowning before, you have a pretty good idea how the children will react.  When I rehearse, I talk for the kids.  

Example of how I practice.  "My name is Boswick...My last name is Diaperbaby"  (I know the children will giggle). "Hey, you're laughing at my name, Boswick Diaper Baby..."  (the children will laugh a little more).  "I Boswick...long pause...Diaperbaby"  (children will be rolling).  etc.  

(pointing to juggling clubs)  "Hey, juggling...who knows what I do with these?"  

Then I can work on the juggling tricks I want.  The audience part I'm guessing at, the juggling is a physical practice.  

I can practice this by filling in (out loud) what the children will say or do.  I can also, hope, they react in a certain way.  Being a clown, I also have leave myself open for many many reactions.  

The next thing to do is get some event on the books.  Again, this gets you out of your head.  If you know you have to be someplace, you will be there, not for yourself but for the people expecting you.  When you do things for others, the Stage Fright voice in your head will quiet. 

The joy will come, once you get out there.  Something happened, that robbed you of joy.  It takes an act of bravery to get out there again.  

The cure is just working, being a clown.  The more you do it, the quieter the voice.    

I can also tell you, I've been doing this 25 years now.  I've done in the vicinity of 8000 shows or appearances.  There has not been one time I have not had stage fright, been nervous.  Luckily for me, it's not very strong but it's always there.  Maybe that's all it is and you are too hard on yourself, you expect you won't be nervous.  

The longer I have between shows, the more frightened I become.  When I work a lot, the Stage Fright voice gets much quieter. 

Thanks for being so open.  Let me know if this helps or you need more coaching on this issue.