looking the part

[The Amazing Beaumanz]

I often print out these threads and show them to new performers at our event.

I would like some input about the importance of distinguishing oneself as an entertainer by "dressing the part".


Thanx for taking the time to repond to this.

[Stretch]

Costuming is important. It gives the client/audience one more reason to remember you. In my market, I try and raise the standards for stilt
performer costuming. After about 4 years, my fellow stilt performers
started asking who did my costumes. And upgraded. No more Uncle Sam
costumes with solid black pants!

My costumes have paid me back handsomly. I think of them as an investment, and as a badge of excellence.

So ask yourself, do you want to set the standards, or blend in?

web page

[Pele]

Wow...the importance of looking the part. It is huge! Such a major part of performing...
1. It offers distinction. Looking the part is what helps the audience to know who we are. In Interactive Improv there is a rule about being distinguishable from 40 feet away. Not only in costume but in demeanor and presence as well. It commands people's attention. Let's them know you are there for them, to entertain them, not that you are one of them.

For example... The worlds best _____ goes to a corner in jeans and t-shirt and begins the show. The worlds worst ____ is on the opposite corner in a great full costume and begins his/her show. *Most*, not all, the people will go to the one in costume first. It has nothing to do with keeping the crowd, but everything to do with passively announcing that you are there and what your intentions are. Plain clothes tend to be equated with subdued people, and even while setting up you want to draw people to you.
(Think Kiss vs. Eagles in concert...Eagles obviously have more talent but Kiss is just fun to watch. Given the choice, I watch Kiss..I listen to the Eagles on cd.)

2. Characterization. Costumes help us to define and seperate show persona from personal persona. When the CEO takes it off at home a more relaxed person emerges. S/he doesn't command things at home the way they do at work (hopefully) just in the same respect that you would not be the entertainer at home that you are at work.
Getting into the look helps to transform you from "john doe" into "Mr. excitment". You begin to feel it. The personal/ professional independence is so important as well because if something goes wrong it helps the perspective on it. It is the "check it at the door" policy. If something goes wrong at work many people like to "check it at the door" and not dwell on it when home. By taking off that character we are able to accomplish this a bit better.

3. Anonimity. Depending on how far you go with the characterization process, really looking the part can offer a great escape. Instead of walking into a coffee house and being inundated with questions about your act and your history and career when you just want your cappucino and a good conversation with your date (now don't get me wrong, the attention can be fun in the right time/place). Really strong characterization and costume choices can keep people guessing to who you are and allow you that "me time" needed.

4. Self Confidence. Looking good equates to feeling good and feeling good usually leads to a damn good show, or at least the ability to take the things the do go wrong in stride. This is key for any performer of any kind.

5. Identifiability. You perform somewhere and the crowd loved you. You had a great costume, great show...everything felt really good. You go back there and perform again, this time in day clothes, real relaxed. People will look and marvel but not realize that you are the same person who was there before. They think..."Oh, I saw the guy who was here last week wearing ______ do that too", and then they continue on their way. Getting into creating a look for yourself helps to build a fan base. You wear a similar costume the following week and people come up saying "Hey I saw you before!" and they stay to watch again. It feels good for the performer to hear that, and it should, and it helps build a fan base.

ummmm...yeah...did I babble enough?

[The Amazing Beaumanz]

some very good points and very well put, pele.


Thank you.

anyone else care to share??

[Vantage]

I agree with Pele... But there is one point that we... in the US particularly... have noticed.

Often your wardrobe will get you a job that your skills dont warrant. I do mainly corporate work and conventions... so this comes from that market mainly. I am appauled by the number of jobs some performers can get simply due to an extensive wardrobe. There are some very good performers in this town that dont work due to poor costuming.. and there are some that do an inferior job and people continue to hire them based SOLELY on costume.... While I agree that costume is important and I wish all good performers had access to good costuming... I also wish performers werent hired based on costume alone.

James Ashton

[Evan Young]

I've been wearing a collerd shirt and tie with shorts (angus young style) all summer long so that I looked the part of a performer (on the street). I got lazy a few times in the last week and just wore a tight white T-shirt instead and it didn't seem to make any difference; in fact, I had a record hat.
I would never slack on image for a gig though. They really want you to look pro!

[theballoonman]

I truly believe in the great importance of costuming.Particularily the invaluability of a good and proper hat,it immediately distinguishes you from the rest of your audience,even at a distance,even to somebody just arriving,late....
take the example of a banket or lawyer,there costumes are quite rigid(suits,ties,etc)obviously Madison ave understands the importance of looking the part.
our choice of costuming is much more flexible,and fun.
REMEMBER
1.if you want to charge $500 an hr,you gotta look like someone who makes it(not saying wear expensive clothes,but clean,fitting your character,and for gods sake replace them when theyve had it. and not just clothes,but props,promo,sound,etc)
2.if your gonna be a nut,at least have the comman courtesy to look like one.
3. EVERYONE makes a first impression on how you look,you can use it to throw a dichotomy of actions in their face,or simply follow the path they've already started...just be aware.
4.costume is our brand recognition,our packaging,distinguishing us from our peers and can become invaluable in marketing our commodity(us).look at checker,butterfly,lucky,space cowboy.etc,etc

well as long asyou feel pretty....
g'day
mike
The Balloonman Show

[Slim Pickings]

I have only been clowning since Jan. of this year and I am thoroughly convinced that the costume is a very important part of the act. I have done a few kids parties and parades this summer and already I have people approach me and say they saw me at this location or that, so I think I have created a unique look. However I am not sitting on my laurels, I am constantly striving to improve the look. <img src="graemlins/jester.gif" border="0" alt="[jester]" />