Hi Jack,
thanks for doing the interview.
I have some questions for you!

Which do you use Qualatex, Bellatex (Sempertex) or other?

Whats your favourite balloon colour?

What or who makes you laugh?

That will do for the timebeing!

thanks,
Danny

Hello Danny, thanks for saying hello!
Which do you use Qualatex, Bellatex (Sempertex) or other?
Although I am open to using any piece of latex possible to make a good creation, I prefer to only use Pioneer/Qualatex. If I were a decorator I might see it the other way around. So again, I am open to using any company possible to make it look right, but Jack LOVES Qualatex!

Whats your favourite balloon colour?
Hmm, I never thought about that. It would have to be a mix between Mocha Brown, Lime Green, Rose, Goldenrod or Blush. I double up on these colors when I shop.....

What or who makes you laugh?
Lots of things make me laugh... The following is what makes me laugh most:
Tex Avery Cartoons
Three Stooges
Little Rascals
Laurel and Hardy
Benny Hill
Eddie Medrano
Don when he's doing his straight jacket or whoopie cushion routine
America's Funniest Home Videos
People gagging
A certain youtube video

Jack, I was wondering, do you have any plans on releasing any type of instructional material ie, CD, DVD, Book, anything?

A certain you tube video???

Would you like to share?

Would you like to share?

Jack, I was wondering, do you have any plans on releasing any type of instructional material ie, CD, DVD, Book, anything?
Hi Tonya!! The answer to this question is yes! Patricia Bunnell and I have been working on a project for a while. The dvd will be called "You know Jack" and will deal with giant masks and costumes. I hope for it to be done by next year this time, maybe sooner. I am also working on a childrens book dealing with one-balloon designs. I have no clue when this will be finished let alone published. It took a long time for me to feel worthy of putting any type of instructional material out, but I think Im coming along. Thanks for the question Tonya!!

19, What road in latex do you see yourself taking in the future?
The fun thing about the world of balloons is we never know whats around the corner. I see a lot of decortwisting in my future and the next goal on my list is to make it over to the Mellinnium Jam to meet all you folks in person.

20, What is your personal goal when you set off to work? Is it money or to entertain etc?
Money plays no roll in me being a balloon artist. When I set off to a gig (my real job is work, this is pure fun) the one common goal is to not only entertain, but to bring a form of entertainment to my guests they've never experienced before. I want to wow them so bad that they put on a special event just to hire me back and see what else I can do. Our job is to advertise for our clients or to bring extra smiles to any type of event. What we do is one of a kind and over the last couple of years has become more popular than ever! If done right, people will pay A LOT for it. I see a lot of people in many fields of work, not only entertainment, spend all their time trying to find work instead of practicing their craft and letting the work find or even demand them. I am a perfect example that it can be done this way. I spend 99% of my time and effort on my balloons and 1% on advertising myself. The person I thank for teaching me this is Don Caldwell. Thanks Don!

21, What are your balloon goals for the future?
Ever since I attended my first convention my goals have been to see where the balloon community could take me. The last couple of years have been very fun and I cant wait to see what the future has to bring. I think I said it before, but my next major goal is to attend the Mellinnium Jam. Even though I hate to fly I will brave it just to jam with all of you!! <Jack on an airplane

22, If you could start all over again, would you change anything?
Simple answer to this one... No.

23, How would you like the future of balloon modelling to develop?
Actually I think its developing very well. It would be fun to see big companies pick up on the conventions or project like Larry Moss puts together more. How fun would a "Worlds Balloon Fair" be???

24, Who's the most famous person you have made a balloon creation for?
Ive been very lucky in meeting "famous" people to make balloon art for. Two people I had the pleasure of meeting this year were Henry Winkler (The Fonze from Happy Days) and Jack Lallane, the fitness guru. Meeting Jack Lallane was very special, but Henry Winkler went CRAZY when I presented this to him. He stopped signing autographs and spent more than twenty minutes talking to me. Hope I get called for his next birthday party;) Here are some links to the photos...
http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/db/comp ... p?id=67873
http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/db/comp ... p?id=68354

25, How do you keep the enthusiasm going & what still excites you about our great world of latex?
I think the combination of the ability to be very creative, the friends, and the whole atmosphere of the balloon world is what keeps the enthusiasm going. The new world of decortwisting has played a major role in keeping me excited about what we do. Day after day I come across new techniques such as Sabinas new loop technique, or something with magic Don has come up with, or even a new friend on sites like these. Then I get to venture out in to the world and share the information with the world, at the same time creating tons of smiles. Not to mention getting paid to do it all;) How could any of this not be exciting??

26, What inspires or is your thought process in coming up with a new design?
I think I mentioned before that anything and everything can be inspiring. When coming up with a design I almost 100% of the time will base the design off something like a picture, statue, etc.. I will then close my eyes for a split second. During this moment a version of what I want the piece to look like will pop in to my head. This includes what techniques I want to use, the colors I want to use, and the size of the piece. Extra details and how the character is positioned usually come along as Im building the piece. When looking at a model, the first thing I look at is its shape. I then match balloon techniques to what I think will create the shape Im going for. The more resources we have to look back on the more creative we can get with our creations. Im sure lots of other balloon artists think this way but I thought Id share....

27, Who would you like to work with dead or alive?
Alive, the dead guy would make me do all the work....

28, What makes you laugh?
Lots of things make me laugh... The following is what makes me laugh most:
Tex Avery Cartoons
Three Stooges
Little Rascals
Laurel and Hardy
Benny Hill
Eddie Medrano
Don when he's doing his straight jacket or whoopie cushion routine
America's Funniest Home Videos
People gagging
A certain youtube video

Well folks, I thank you for taking the time to say hello! I cant wait for the opportunity to come to your part of the woods to jam and share ideas! I hope this will be sooner than later. If any of you would ever like to jam on skype my name is jacktheballoonandmagicguy. Thanks again, especially to Graham. Take care all!!!!!
Jack

Jack,
Thanks very much for taking the time to answer the questions so thoroughly; it was a very good read and interview