PACIFIC NORTHWEST SHRINE CLOWN ASSOCIATION
COMPETITION RULES
MAY 2007
GENERAL COMPETITION RULES
CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE
The promotion and advancement of Shrine clowning is the uppermost reason for participation in competition. For this reason, conduct of all individuals and units must be consistent with specified Shrine Code of Conduct.
While each individual must govern himself, it becomes necessary that each Unit Head assist by governing the conduct of his members. Any conduct that would bring unfavorable criticism upon the Shrine, a Shrine Unit, or clowning in general could result in the entire unit being disqualified from competition.
Participating clowns, acts, or stunts per AAONMS Rules shall:
a. Not use any operating flashing emergency type lights or sirens.
b. Not drink any intoxicating beverages before, during or after any parade,
performance, or public event while in costume.
c. Not wear a costume or use any equipment that may be offensive to this
Association or to the General Public.
d. Not touch women while in costume in public.
Not throw items of any kind. This includes candy, gum, novelties, and
balloons. These items may be handed out if other rules and regulations
do not specifically prohibit.
Not use any obscene gestures or language while appearing in costume,
make-up, or uniform.
Not impersonate a woman, political figures or any ethnic or other minority group which might reflect unfavorably upon the Association and the Imperial Shrine.
Not smoke in costume in public. The use of DEAD cigar butts will be
allowed for tramp costumes.
i. Not use any live animals or fowl, domestic or wild, or any reptiles.
Not use full or partial face masks of any type.
Strive to look his best as a true clown.
Not abuse spectators by subjecting them to practical humiliating jokes or
by squirting or shocking them.
Not have any demeaning displays that may be considered in poor taste.
Not appear at any Association function without current Shrine and Association dues cards. Also the Association patch must be worn
The passing out of candy, gum or balloons will be permitted during functions of this Association except from vehicles.
The Competition Director or his emissary shall, at his discretion, have full authority to discipline, including ejection from functions of this Association, any member who does not abide by the Code of Conduct as listed above. Additionally, the Competition Director, acting in coordination with the authority of the PNSA Parade Marshal, may eject from PNSA Parades any Shrine clown not adhering to the Code of Conduct as herein stated.
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ELIGIBILITY
All clowns and units in good standing in this association are eligible to register to participate in the competition (regardless of whether your temple is present at the PNSA Session) except elected PNSCA officers.
Clowns can enter as many of the single clown competitions as they
wish with the exception that they can only enter one category in the costume and makeup competition. Clowns do not have to enter the costume and makeup competition in order to compete in the balloon, paradeability, and skit competitions and conversely do not have
to compete in the balloon, paradeability and skit competitions if they enter the costume and makeup competition.
An individual Clown can only enter once in any of the multiple man
skits competitions.
2. All members participating in competition must have a current Shrine and
PNSCA dues cards readily available for examination at the time of participation
and be wearing the PNSCA patch tastefully displayed above the waist.
3. Competing for Unit awards requires membership in the Association which is
defined as having five (5) or more individual members belonging to PNSCA.
DRAWING FOR POSITIONS
The method of determining the order of presentation of skits and other
competitions will be announced and directed by the Competition
Director at the competition site immediately preceding the start of the
competitions.
Any competitor entering the competition after positions are drawn or after the clowns are in position to start the competition will be placed at the beginning of the group and will be the next clown or group to compete.
A representative of each unit must be present to draw for positions. If a delegate is not present for the drawing, that Unit will be ineligible to participate.
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
Trophies and awards will be presented at an awards affair following the
competition or such other time and place as the President of this
association may direct. Winners will not be announced until this time.
Judges score sheets for all competitions will be available at the conclusion of the awards presentation.
JUDGING
The first Vice President or his designate is the Competition Director of the
clown competition and shall have the final say in the selection of judges. The Competition Director will also have the responsibility for final interpretation of the judging rules.
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Judges will not be selected from units which are participating in the
competition unless extenuating or necessary conditions exist
A minimum of three (3) judges will be utilized for all competitions. Preferably, all judges will have had extensive clowning experience, have attended a judging training seminar, and/or have an extensive background of make-up and performing experience.
Each judge will complete score sheets as appropriate and directed by the
Competition Director. Score sheets will be turned into the PNSCA for
final tallying at the end of competition.
No one may speak to the judges before or during the competition unless
answering a direct question with the exception of the Competition Director
and his personal delegates.
All judging shall be done at the competition site, excepting parade
CATEGORIES FOR COMPETITION AND SPECIFIC RULES
BALLOON COMPETITON
1) Contestants will be placed in a common room for the competition.
2) Contestant must supply their own materials (Balloons Pumps, Pens, etc)
3) Non Contestants will be allowed to watch the competitors make their creations (subject to space limitations) and other conditions as determined by the Director. The Director will be responsible for maintaining quiet and decorum during the competition.
4) The Judges will not be allowed in the room during the time that the competitors are making their creations.
5) All competitors and observers will leave the room during the judging
6) No one will be allowed to touch the creations (except the Director) until they have been judged by all the judges
7) The contestant does not need to be in costume or makeup to compete in the competition.
8) The two Categories for competition are:
Single- Any creation made from a single balloon of any type.
Multiple- Any creation made using 2 or more balloons of any type.
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9) For both Categories the following rules apply
Contestants may participate in both competition Categories.
No glue or device other than the balloon will be allowed to hold the creation together
Contestants will be given 15 minutes to make their creation(s) and will not commence until advised by the Director. The contestant may make more than one creation during the time period but may only submit one creation in each category for judging.
When the Contestant is finished or at the end of the time period (whichever comes first), the Contestants will clean up their immediate area and present their creation(s) in the way the contestant wishes it presented. The Contestant’s competition number must be placed on the table (or in a noticeable position) along side each of his creation(s) and then must leave the room without disturbing any of the other creations.
In addition to the first, second, and third place awards for each
category,((patches)) certificates will be presented to the 'Top
Five’ clowns upon conclusion of the judging.
INDIVIDUAL CLOWN MAKEUP AND COSTUME COMPETITION
General Information
As stated in the following rules, a clown may enter only one category. An individual must decide what type of clown he is portraying and declare himself accordingly. There are few absolute rules regarding the various categories. One clown will
consider himself as a Whiteface where another clown might consider him an Auguste. Certainly, the costume and make-up must be correct for the type portrayed, but the specific actions and performance also play an important part in establishing the type of clown portrayed.
Make-up must be complete. The exposed area of flesh around the ears and the back of the neck are as important to the clown image as his face and throat area and must be covered. Judging will be based on costume, make-up, facial expressions, etc.The Whiteface Clown is the classic Pierrot, harlequin, grotesque, or neat clown face. The Whiteface has a base of all white, with features (eyebrows, nose, mouth) painted on in black and red. Other .decorations may be added using other colors. His costume may be one piece or some variation of a suit. It also may make use of sequins, rhinestones, mylars, or other flash material. The whiteface is not unpleasant to look at. He has decent manners, and his performance is generally artistic in nature. He usually appears to be in command of any situation he finds himself in. Gloves are required on all Whiteface Clowns.
The Auguste Clown is the character clown. This is the most comic face. Base color is a variation of pink, red, or tan instead of white. Features (red and black) are exaggerated in size. The mouth is usually thickly outlined with white (the muzzle) as are the eyes. The Auguste may be impeccably garbed or wear a costume that does not fit (oversize or too small). Bold colors, large prints, and patterns often characterize Auguste costumes. The Auguste is the most slapstick of all clowns; his actions wilder, broader than the other types. The Auguste gets away with more and bigger pranks. Gloves are required on all Auguste Clowns.
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The Tramp or Hobo Clown uses a base of flesh colored pink or tan. Make-up designs often include a beard and highlights of white around the eyes and mouth. The costume is often a dark colored suit that can be excessively patched and/or tattered. The character and make-up design portrayed can either be a sad, woebegone tramp, or a happy-go-lucky Hobo. The overall effect of make-up, costuming, and performance must complement the character being portrayed. Gloves should be worn, if appropriate, on all Tramp or Hobo clowns.
The Character Clown is the fourth category open for competition. A clown competing in this category may use a Whiteface, Auguste or Tramp/Hobo make-up design. He must depict a specific type of person or occupation (i.e. baseball player, doctor, sailor, Keystone Kop, etc.) The character must clearly be recognizable as a clown. No mask will be allowed. Make-up should compliment the character being portrayed and should not detract from the overall effect. Gloves are required, if the design of the clown is Whiteface or Auguste. Gloves should be worn, if appropriate, when the design of the clown is a Tramp or Hobo clown.
Contestants can enter only one (1) of these categories and must declare it before the competition commences.
Rules:
Any individual clown who meets the eligibility requirements may participate in any of the five categories.
First, Second and Third place awards will be presented in each of the first four categories (1 Whiteface
(2 Auguste
(3 Tramp/Hobo
(4 Character
In addition to the first, second and third place awards, certificates will be presented to the 'Top Five' clowns in each category.
Clowns will be grouped and presented for judging according to the category they
enter. The judges will know the individual by number only.
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Under the direction of the Director the clowns will enter the ring one at a
time taking up a position facing the judges in a prescribed 3’x 3’ area.
On direction from the Director the clown will make 4 quarter turns to the right
and then strike a pose. The judges will dismiss the clown when satisfied.
The next contestant will not enter the judging area until the previous contestant
has left the ring.
No judge may touch a competitor's make-up, wig, or costume.
During this judging there will be no objects in contestant hands except for the
character category. Character clowns may carry objects that compliment their
character's appearance, however they may not "work" the object while being judged.
No movement is allowed by a competitor other than that outlined in Rule 5.
No electrical or mechanical devices and no flashing lights may be used.
Clowns shall observe all conditions outlined under the Conduct and Discipline
section of these regulations.
7. The PNSCA patch shall be displayed above the waist and will be visible to the
judges. Other patches (name patch, unit patch, or other association patch) may be
worn. Patches will be judged how well they accent or detract from the costume.
8. At the conclusion of the individual judging of all competitors in a particular
category the clowns will parade around the ring several times, under the
direction of the Competition Director, and then pause for a group photo
opportunity.
ONE MAN PARADEABILITY COMPETITION
General Information
Paradeability is basically a sight gag. An object or prop using signs or vocal expression that brings laughter. It can be anything that can be worn, carried, pulled, pushed, or driven which does not require a set-up time or a tear down time.
Rules:
The clown shall repeat the gag at least twice in one minute or the gag shall be
considered a continuous gag. Failure to repeat the gag, (if gag is not
continuous) will disqualify the competitor from the One Man Paradeability
competition.
First, second and third place awards will be presented
In addition to the first, second, and third place awards, certificates will be presented to the 'Top Five’ clowns upon conclusion of the judging.
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ONE MAN SKIT COMPETITION
General information
A One Man skit may involve the use of any magic, illusion, puppet, juggling, equipment, gimmick, etc. It may require a set-up and/or clean-up time. This could include any signs or props which could bring laughter, or the sight of them is necessary to complete the skit.
Rules
.
The One Man Skit has the same rules as the Unit Skit with the following exceptions: 1 In addition to the first, second, and third place awards, certificateswill be presented to the 'Top Five’ clowns upon conclusion of the judging.
2. The clown will be allowed one (1) minute to set up, three
(3) minutes to perform skit, and one (1) minute to clean up.
TWO MAN SKIT COMPETITION
Rules
The Two Man Skit has the same rules as the Unit Skit with the following exceptions:
A Two Man Skit does not require the two Clowns to be from the same Unit or
Temple
In addition to the first, second, and third place awards, certificates
will be presented to the 'Top Five’ clowns upon conclusion of the judging.
3. The two clowns will be allowed one (1) minute to set up, three
(3) minutes presentation time, and one (1) minute to clean up
UNIT SKIT COMPETITION
RULES
Unit skit competition consists of three or more Clowns from the same Unit
(Temple).
A Unit (Temple) may enter as many Unit Skits as desired, however no
member may participate in more than one Unit Skit.
Clowns must be in appropriate costume to participate.
First, second, and third place awards will be presented.
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Each group participating in this event will be allowed a maximum time limit of five (5) minutes for presentation of their skit. In addition to the 5 minute presentation time each group will be allowed one (1) minute to set up their props and one minute to remove their props from the ring.
Skits will be penalized at a rate of one (1) point per second if over the
presentation time limit with disqualification if one (1) minute over the
presentation time limit. Timing commences with the introduction or entrance
of any character or the beginning of taped sound effects or music.
Each group will confine their skit to an area (or ring) of up to 40 foot
square. This area will be marked out before the event starts and may be
reduced in size pending available space in the competition facility.
Each participating member of the group may enter or leave the ring any time during the presentation time; however, once having left the ring, the member may not return.
If any member of the group does leave the ring and returns, the group
will be penalized 10 points. Entering or leaving the ring during the set up and
clean up periods is allowed and will not result in a penalty.
Clowns may remain in the ring as part of the initial set-up
The use of explosive devices (where not restricted by local regulations)
water, pies, props, and slapstick comedy are helpful criteria for good skits
.
9. Each skit or Stunt must always be in good taste as children are our audience at
every performance. Crowd appeal and laughter sway judges so govern
yourselves accordingly.
The participating group must restore the skit area to its original condition
as soon as skit is completed and within the one (1) minute time limit.
Confetti may be used, and it may be tossed into the crowd, if appropriate. The
area, outside the ring, where confetti lands need not be cleaned up
immediately; however, the area must be swept by the unit after all skits are
completed.
12. Any presentation that causes an injury to any spectator will automatically
disqualify the group.
13. A person will be available to turn on a tape as the first clown enters the ring.
It will be the competitor’s responsibility to have the tape correctly queued for
the attendant. No other assistance during the skit is allowed.
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BEST CLOWN PARADE UNIT -(PNSA Award)
RULES
Judging of the parade units for the PNSA Award will be done only at the
PNSA Parade.
A minimum of three (3) PNSCA clowns participating in costume is
required for a unit to compete.
First, second, and third place awards will be presented.
Units will observe only forward marching movements. While the main
movement must be forward, this does not preclude individual clowns or
equipment from moving in various directions.
Motorized vehicles shall maintain a sufficient clearance from spectators so
as to assure proper safety standards.
The judging on the parade route will be done approximately one (1) or two (2)
blocks before the Official Imperial Reviewing Stand.
If requested by the PNSA judging of the clown units participating in the
Parade will be performed by at least two members of the current Executive Board of the PNSCA with at least one of them being an Elected Officer.
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JUMBOCOMPETITION
General Information
The Jumbo Award was donated to the PNSCA in the late 1980’s by Bill "Pins" Miller a Past President and very active member of PNSCA. The intent of the award is to encourage and reward Units for their participation in PNSCA competitions while also further rewarding those Units that achieve success. Bill created "Jumbo" to encourage Clowns to enter competition even if they thought they were not good enough by establishing one point just for entering.
As for small Units—A 4 man Clown Unit that is good and enters all the competitions can beat a 25 man Clown Unit and win by earning 120 points.
All Clown competitions count towards Jumbo except for the Best Clown Parade Unit Competition that is a PNSA award and thus excluded.
INDIVIDUAL COMPETITIONS
1 Point Awarded to each individual entering competition. This point can only be given one time and is for entering into any competitive event. Only 1 point is awarded even if you enter several events.
2 Points Awarded for a finish in the Top Five in any individual competition
3 Points Awarded for a 3rd Place in individual competition
4 Points Awarded for a 2nd Place in individual competition
5 Points Awarded for a 1st Place in individual competition
MULTI MAN SKIT COMPETITIONS
The Unit not the individual is awarded the points for skits. Example = A clown skit takes first place. The unit is awarded 5 points not 5 points per clown.
3 Points 3rd Place Unit
4 Points 2nd Place Unit
5 Points 1st Place Unit
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TOP BANANA COMPETITION
Don "Chuckles" Rigby donated the TOP BANANA AWARD to the PNSCA in 2007.
The object of the award is to recognize the best "all around " Clown in the current years competition by comparing the results achieved by every Clown in four Individual Competition categories (Makeup/Costume, Paradability, One Man Skit, and either Single or Multiple Balloon).
The intent of the award is to encourage participation by all Clowns in all the basic activities of Clowning while not recognizing the importance of any specific activity.
Points will be awarded for Makeup/Costume, Paradability, One Man Skit and either Single or Multiple Balloons on the following basis:
1 Point- Awarded to each Clown for every Individual Competition with the exception that
two points will be awarded for entering both Single and Multiple Balloon
Categories.
2 Points- Awarded for a finish in the Top Five in any Individual Competition with the
exception that only two points will be awarded for either Single or Multiple
Balloons.
3 Points-Awarded for a third place finish in any Individual Competition with the
exception that only three points will be awarded for either Single or Multiple
Balloons.
4 Points- Awarded for a second place finish in any Individual Competition with the
exception that only four points will be awarded for either Single or Multiple
Balloons.
5 Points- Awarded for a first place finish in any Individual Competition with the
exception that only five points will be awarded for either Single or Multiple
Balloons.
In cases of a tie then the final winner will be determined by totaling the actual scores awarded by the Judges for Makeup/Costume Paradability, One Man Skit, and either Single or Multiple Balloons (whichever the individual Clowns score was highest). The final tiebreaker, if required, will be points that would have been awarded if both balloon categories had been included
The Award is an annual award and the winner can take the award home and have it suitably engraved but in doing so is obligated to return the award in time for the subsequent years competition. The Winner will also be presented with an individual award or crest to signify the achievement