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trickychaz Special user West Virginia 549 Posts |
I have seen so many great balloon sculpture pictures on balloonist websites, but am wondering if they really do this for line work? Anytime I have done a balloon gig it has been 30 people anxiously waiting in line. Do you keep it simple 1-3 balloon figures for line work?
I have a list at the front of my balloon box that states 15 different chioces, and then have a few semi advanced that I do if the line is minimal. Also are there any great resources "DVD's" that anyone would recommend for learning deliveries "advanced stuff" that would also make nice displays for holidays etc? Thanks Chaz |
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nums Veteran user I have a life, or I would have more than 366 Posts |
I only do what takes me less than 2 minutes, that includes several 4 balloon items but mainly 2-3 per sculpture. That still leaves about 90 things.
As far as more complicated, I do not do them in line as I found that if you make it for one and not another for whatever reason it causes problems. NUMS |
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Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
I kind of like the Bad to the Balloon Series #1 & #2.
Each figure once up to speed should take less than 2 minutes to make. I hear the guy that made it is a nice guy. I don't believe it, but that is just me.... http://tinyurl.com/4ofeo8
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
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jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
I have a menu board of fast 2 & 3 balloon figures. I feel that using more than one balloon increases the tips, but if I get too complex with my figures, I can't put them out fast enough. I love the the balloons with character, (like Patricia Bunnell's stuff), but when you spend 5 minutes making a balloon, you can, at best, only make about 10 an hour. I save those for the smaller parties where I have fewer people or need to kill time.
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Tom Stevens Veteran user Australia 361 Posts |
Line work is only for the desperate.
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trickychaz Special user West Virginia 549 Posts |
Tom
I don't quite understand your comment. Can you clarify? Thanks Chaz |
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Tom Stevens Veteran user Australia 361 Posts |
The amount of work involved, cranking out balloons one after another.
You would only accept that kind of work if you are desperate. I've done plenty. And I know that many entertainers say "Oh but I make it fun by being entertaining and interacting with the people around me." but in the end you realise that you are spending your time with faced greedy "Gimme Gimme Gimme" and it drains your energy. the thankfulness of the recipients is small in proportion to the spirit of greed. Strolling magic on the other hand you have a situation where you can give of your enregy in the amount that you deem suitable. The reaction to the effects you produce is a positive charge of appreciation by the onlookers. this actually is much more rewarding and not draining. |
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Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
From Tom's Website:
"Balloons For Festivals Entertainment with balloons A festival is really not complete without the balloon man. Kids just love ballons, and it will be the highlight of their day to have their favourite animal made specially for them out of balloons. So do your guests a favour and bring in one of the best balloon twisters around. Tom, Good to see you at Lilydale lake last night. You deserve an Oscar for "the best performance by a patient, still smiling balloon-man under the relentless assault of children seeking a never-ending supply of balloon animals!" --------------------------------- Yep they are ..... BTW you spelled balloon wrong in the third line. Line work is what you make of it. Me personally I like to create. I use the crowds energy in one of two ways. I force them to be creative ..... "Nope already did one of those" Or I don't give them choices. This works best with loud events. I mime playing an artist and create for them. Another way of doing this is something Don C does which is to interrupt them before they say I want. You do a sort of a cold reading of the child. Your character must be strong to do this! any signs of weakness will be met with disdain. Another way I have combated the dreaded line is not to have one. I use a deli ticket machine and have people wait for their number to be called. Many dynamics happen with this. • People are interested in the art of the thing, because they are not worried about someone cutting in front of them. • People that want instant gratification fade away ...magically. • People looking to optimize their time can get a ticket and go see the face painter. I can also cut the line at will by planning how many tickets are distributed. Or I can say I need to take a 5 minute break come back in 5 and we will pick up with number ___.
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
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montymagi Special user Slidell La 752 Posts |
Mark I think your ticket idea is wonderful. Birthday child goes first and everyone else gets a ticket. That way you can work at your own pace and give each child your full attention.
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Steve Yarosko Loyal user 285 Posts |
I have trained my son to make the basic hats and swords. For fairs and other events that I think the line might get long, I bring him along and he becomes the express lane. For those that just want a sword or just want a balloon in their hand they can go into his line. If you want something a little more detailed and are willing to wait you can go in my line. I approach this like I am an artist, and I put a little more into my balloons than the average balloon guy. People don't seem to mind waiting and yes, I do try to make this entertaining while I am twisting. This has worked out well for me. The line never seems to get too long and I have never gotten any complaints. It has also been a good experience for my son. It is fun to see him copy some of my little moves and mannerisms. He also likes the money I pay him at the end of the gig.
Steve |
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jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
I have Mark's DVD's 1 & 2. Most of his stuff is perfect for line work. I also have Patricia's DVD, (only one so far), and love her work, but not when I'm in a line situation. Although she can do them in nothing flat, I can't put them out fast enough. Great for restaurants and parties.
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Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-12-11 10:55, spacecop wrote: In a Birthday celebration I do it differently... Most parties are between 10 -20 children, 30-40 minutes worth of balloons for me. It is really my encore show after a magic show.I put on some music after a brief dance with the kids. (key word stretch out) "These are the rules I am going to start making incredible balloon hats everyone is going to get one and no two will look alike. So if I make something you like you let me know by sitting up straight and smiling as big as you can. Who ever smiles the biggest gets it. Oh by the way ..... the birthday kid's is last because your not going to believe when you see that one!!" I then turn up the music and the songs are cued to match the balloons I am creating by the 3rd song they catch on. Reasons ? • I don't want some brat screaming at me for that time. Hence the load music they can try to talk ...but I just can't hear (mime). • I make a whole lot more than spiderman. I want to show off my variety. • Parent are impressed by the level of control. • The good kids get rewarded and the brats are usually last. The Deli ticket idea is for LARGE events. I keep my pacing between 1 minute to 2 minutes per hat. All while joking and talking to people. I also interject some balloon magic while I perform.
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
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jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
What would help me a lot is if the DVDs came with a menu type cue card. I'm thinking of a 3x5 laminated card with color photos of the shapes on the DVD. After awhile I catch myself making the same shapes over and over again, especially in a walk around venue like busking. Mainly it's because being in a hurry but still wanting to make something impressive, I forget about half of what I practiced.
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Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
Why not when practicing take a picture of it. Then create a small photo album. Like a flipbook:
http://www.flippies.com/flipbooks-gallery/ Go to Kinkos and have in gum bound on the end. For the techies ....make a photo album on I-phone!!! I use my iphone google anything I don't know what something looks like.
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
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puppeterry Regular user Sanger, CA 114 Posts |
Because I'm a children's librarian, I'm often asked to do community events as part of a library booth and do balloons...getting paid my hourly salary. I am not allowed to charge for the balloons. I am not allowed to take tips. The line goes on forever, (I have them hold onto a rope) until I hand someone a sign that says LINE CLOSED and tell them to hold that sign and not let any more onto the line and they'll get something special.
I don't like doing the 3-twist dog, but I'll make chihuahuas. I won't do swords or other weapons of any size of destruction (although I make great swords and cutlasses). Because the line is so long and I have burn scars and arthritis on my fingers, I limit things to 1-balloon creations. The weird thing is that, although my hand hurt so much that I can barely hold the steering wheel when I leave, I love doing these events. TV Mc Arthur Fresno (CA) County Public Library
TV Mc Arthur
The Librician Fresno (CA) County Public Library "They don't get better.....just faster." |
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profgizmo New user Florida 54 Posts |
I have sheets with 9 - 10 pictures per sheet of the animals I will make. These get passed down the line so the child knows what they want when they get to the front. I have several different sheets, and I will pick what I want to do that day based on the size of the crowd, the weather, and how I am feeling.
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Kevinr Inner circle 1854 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-10-29 14:02, jakeg wrote: I only agree with this logic for HUGE groups at events but if you are including resturants or parties I DON'T AGREE!! I NEVER wear a tip button or any button for that matter and NEVER ask for tips in anyway night if with some slick willy joke of any kind! I just go to a table and start making things for the kids. If they say: "I am sorry we have no cash." I make them something anyways. Who knows someday it might be me in there posistion. I figure if I don't get a tip I must not be doing a good job... However some people are just cruel, cheap, forgot cash and only carry credit cards... OR just down on there luck... Heck, last week someone gave me there $10 Target gift card after she told me she had no cash and I said it was o.k. I would make something for her kids anyways.. She was so impressed she gave me her Target gift card. I tried to give it to one of her sons as a gift to me but her son gave it back to me! I usually make HUGE balloon hats only (whenever possible) things like Don Caldwell stuff using 8-12 balloons per item. I spend the quality in the face of the sculpture.. since its a hat I don't spend anytime on a body... Granted, I make less stuff because I am slower but I still make an average of $22-$30 an hour in tips at resturants (not including what I am paid) I usally show up at 4:30-5:00pm and ALWAYS start off with some HUGE 20 balloon or more sculpture as my first thing to break the ice and sort of "warm up" I say nothing to no one and just start making it people at all the tables are looking around I then hand it out in hopes of a huge tip.. Sometimes a $10.. Sometimes a $20 I have even recieved a $30! However there have been times I have gotten NOTHING!! Usually atleast an applause from the tables around but the resturant is still dead this early in the day so no loss to me... I then go into my Caldwell type stuff. When I know I am at my last table of the night I GO ALL OUT!! Usually its about 9:15pm at night and I have been there for 4 1/2 hours (I figure I have nothing to lose except a few extra balloons at the last table) I usally get another larger tip for my efforts... However there have been a few times where I have recieved little or nothing! Tips are as low as $100 to as high as $140 |
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Buster Balloon Regular user 168 Posts |
[/quote]
I NEVER wear a tip button or any button for that matter and NEVER ask for tips in anyway night if with some slick willy joke of any kind! I just go to a table and start making things for the kids. If they say: "I am sorry we have no cash." I make them something anyways. Who knows someday it might be me in there posistion. I figure if I don't get a tip I must not be doing a good job... However some people are just cruel, cheap, forgot cash and only carry credit cards... OR just down on there luck... Heck, last week someone gave me there $10 Target gift card after she told me she had no cash and I said it was o.k. I would make something for her kids anyways.. She was so impressed she gave me her Target gift card. I tried to give it to one of her sons as a gift to me but her son gave it back to me! I usually make HUGE balloon hats only (whenever possible) things like Don Caldwell stuff using 8-12 balloons per item. I spend the quality in the face of the sculpture.. since its a hat I don't spend anytime on a body... Granted, I make less stuff because I am slower but I still make an average of $22-$30 an hour in tips at resturants (not including what I am paid) I usally show up at 4:30-5:00pm and ALWAYS start off with some HUGE 20 balloon or more sculpture as my first thing to break the ice and sort of "warm up" I say nothing to no one and just start making it people at all the tables are looking around I then hand it out in hopes of a huge tip.. Sometimes a $10.. Sometimes a $20 I have even recieved a $30! However there have been times I have gotten NOTHING!! Usually atleast an applause from the tables around but the resturant is still dead this early in the day so no loss to me... I then go into my Caldwell type stuff. When I know I am at my last table of the night I GO ALL OUT!! Usually its about 9:15pm at night and I have been there for 4 1/2 hours (I figure I have nothing to lose except a few extra balloons at the last table) I usally get another larger tip for my efforts... However there have been a few times where I have recieved little or nothing! Tips are as low as $100 to as high as $140 [/quote] I'm so proud.
Buster Balloon
Creative Genius, Balloon Twisting Savant, & Pre-Sweetened Breakfast Cereal Connoisseur http://BusterBalloon.com |
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Kevinr Inner circle 1854 Posts |
[/quote]
I'm so proud. [/quote] "The great and powerful OZ has spoken!!" So few words... Hey just saw your wife Laura in Denver she was jamming while meeting the local family... YOU WILL ALL HATE THIS REPLY BECAUSE ITS LONG BUT IF YOU DO WHAT IT SAYS YOU WILL MAKE MORE MONEY! GET OUT OF THE BOAT PETER! OK OK for you folks who are saying: "But the manager is gonna get mad at me for not working quickly!" Here is an approach I do and you can do as we want to make everyone happy and want to understand being in the managers shoes or a table that has a crying kid waiting forever and leaves with nothing but a bratty kid crying! WARNING WARNING DANGER WILL ROBINSON! BEFORE YOU READ WHAT I AM ABOUT TO SUGGEST ONLY DO THIS IF YOU ARE BEING PAID AND NOT JUST WORKING FOR TIPS!.. Ah hell.... Do whatever you want you gonna anyways.... This approach will also give you time to learn the new balloon hats and cool scupltures that you see and really wanna do but are ****ed at yourself because you don't THINK you have the time to do them.. And now back to our regular programming... This approach I have done in the past I would only do IF I am getting paid and not just working for tips is But heck do whatever you want I am not your mama: I actually come with 20-30 wands and swords (Don Caldwells cool wands get his videos)I leave these in a huge bag at the front desk with the manager or hostess if she sees a child leaving but recieved no balloon and is leaving sad she will give him one while he/she is walking out the door. Keeps everyone happy this way. 1. You get to be orignal and NOT some boring old half baked clown who makes dogs, swords etc... That would put you in the same catergory of any other sea urchin balloon person that smells like day old bread in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and calls himself an entertainer! (Don't forget why you are really working at this place at 9pm while your family is at home asleep is to get high paying gigs right?) 2. The managers and clients are happy.. Because they feel like you care about there problems (maybe you do care maybe you don't but it sure makes it look that way) keep the customers happy and coming back. "Would Macy's tell Gimbels?," Its like Santa saying to shop at Gimble if they want to.. HERE IS THE MAGIC!! Since I bring only two very quick low cost items pre-made at the door and limit it to a very small amount(swords and wands) and leave them up front this doesn't kill the value of me and my enetrtainment and artist work! The people that want the cool stuff do WAIT for you!! Oh you do know.... No one REALLY wants those crappy swords and dogs anyway.... (your only fooling yourself) OOPS sorry didn't mean to offend anyone that actually makes those for there clients still. AP Breaking News Flash!! Your gonna have to learn how to make all this new crazy stuff so how about bringing that to the store instead off popping it and letting the hostess hand that out while you are still learning.. Man will this look good at the counter and keep everyone happy.. Of course it defeats what I said about working against yourself.. But what the heck do I know anyway... Better than popping the stuff.. Heck and when you are good move to just putting the swords and wands idea at the counter... before you know it you won't even do this anymore! People will just come from miles around to see this entertainer that is amazing with balloons and magic! (I am not there yet) P.S. (Dang he isn't done talking yet!) Here is something else that is strange that happens.. SOMETIMES.. People will walk up and give you tips for the silly swords and wands you left at the counter!! Then there are the other table that sometimes will give you tips because the huge things you are making are so cool they recieved entertainment value and tip you even though they recieved nothing! |
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Buster Balloon Regular user 168 Posts |
You have done well young padawan.
Buster Balloon
Creative Genius, Balloon Twisting Savant, & Pre-Sweetened Breakfast Cereal Connoisseur http://BusterBalloon.com |
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