Balloon Chat
Uncategorized Boards => Balloon Review => Topic started by: nippy99 on July 01, 2012, 11:24:15 PM
COMMERCIAL BALLOONS VOL 1 BY MIKE STOKES DVD
Available from http://www.playtimeballoons.co.uk/product.php?id=161 (http://www.playtimeballoons.co.uk/product.php?id=161) priced £15.25
Mike Stokes is well known in the UK for his association with Playtime Balloons. I have also seen him lecture at Kidology in the past. This DVD is called Commercial Balloons which are defined by Mike as "must be quick and easy to make with instant customer appeal" - so as with all my reviews, I judge the content based upon the claims made on the cover.
The DVD is fully indexed and is of very high quality. However, the camera work is a little dodgy as quite a lot happens below the bottom of the screen. The camera tilts on occasions but it is not always the best. Mike looks a little uncomfortable in front of the camera but explains each model clearly.
Let's see what is here...
FLYING MOUSE
KIT LIST : 260Q RED
Urm, yes I am not joking. The famous flying mouse balloon is certainly 'quick and easy' to make but 'commercial' I am not so sure. In fact, I would be bold enough to say that as a throw away joke item to children it is fine but I would be positively embarrassed to make this at any gig where I was being paid. Yes it is fun and the kids enjoy pulling the mouses tail shooting the mouse high in the air, but it doesn't work for me as a balloon artist. Strong words I know, but this sort of balloon doesn't really need a DVD tutorial.
And yes, I have taken a photo!
[attachment=0:x5jchyxu][/attachment]mouse.jpg[/attachment:x5jchyxu]
BUTTERFLY
KIT LIST : 260Q SPRING LILAC / 11" ROUND
This butterfly is very quick to make. A simple double loop with a 260Q and an 11" round with the top twisted for a head. Mike mounts his butterfly on top of a stick. A bit too basic for my liking but if you are new to balloon modelling then it would be a good place to start. Just to mention, Mike's hands dips below the camera and some footage of him twisting the 11" round is obscured from view. OK for me, but beginners may get frustrated.
[attachment=0:2drii0r4][/attachment]butterfly.jpg[/attachment:2drii0r4]
I struggle to se that as a butterfly as I struggle to see the first one as a mouse. I think even beginners can find better than these for free. Sorry just my opinion.
Hey Snurb - don't be sorry about expressing your opinion. I completely agree with you and can't wait to see what other gems are on this DVD.
When was this first released?
It might give us a clue why these are called "commercial" balloons.
Thanks,
Danny
HELICOPTER / AIRPLANE
KIT LIST : 6" RED HEART / 260Q WHITE / 260Q PALE BLUE
A simplistic helicopter made by twisting the lobe of a heart to make the body and attaching some wings and a tail rotor. I've seen better helicopters uses the same technique (see previous Twistina reviews). This model has been adapted to make an airplane by literally just adding pinch twists onto the ends of each wing.
A poor lazy example of an airplane - there are much better designs for free on this forum. I can't believe I am only on model number 3....
[attachment=0:2sexamox][/attachment]helicopter.jpg[/attachment:2sexamox]
Danny, released in 2009! Things must have been very different all those years ago :P
oh dear! :o
I think I met a balloon twister on Saturday who had only ever seen this DVD! Really awful quality and delivery, no patter or even smiles. He did that butterfly for me when I told him I was a twister and advised me to take it apart and see if I could figure it out! I was polite :)
I've never had so much fun doing a review. I keep laughing out loud which really is very sad... three more made, but you can't wait to see them!
Quote from: "nippy99"three more made, but you can't wait to see them!
Oh, how I fear what's coming next.
Thanks, again, for your honest reviews!
Won't be long - they are coming shortly....
DOLPHIN
KIT LIST : 260Q PALE BLUE / 260Q WHITE / 160Q PALE BLUE
This Dolphin is passable and would be good if made with one of those christmas stocking filler kits from Tesco. Mike uses those horrible pre-made eye stickers which I really do not like. It just cheapens the whole design in my opinion. The camera work for this next batch of models is disappointing as there are no close ups. Even though this DVD looks like it is for beginners any inexperienced twister will be lost at this point. I still couldn't bring myself to make it at a paid gig.
[attachment=0:33cu2b9p][/attachment]dolphin.jpg[/attachment:33cu2b9p]
SNAKE UP A TREE
KIT LIST : 260Q GREEN / 160Q RED / 260Q YELLOW
This is supposed to be a snake up a tree. How a plain long green balloon can pass as a tree is anyone's guess. Even a basic tree design would have been better. The snake eyes do not fit onto the snake's body and are held in place by the tongue being pinched through the loops of the green tree. This model won't last long in the hands of a child.
[attachment=0:lag2mnr5][/attachment]snake.jpg[/attachment:lag2mnr5]
FISH ON ROD
KIT LIST : 260Q ORANGE / 260Q RED / 11" ROUND / 260Q WHITE / 321Q BEE
This fish is the best design so far and would actually be quite good for line work. The use of a 321Q for the fishing reel is good especially at the black uninflated end makes for a good handle. The fish dangles from the rod and gives the model some nice movement.
I feel guilty to say it but this is something decent for a beginner type DVD.
[attachment=0:38dzic2k][/attachment]fish.jpg[/attachment:38dzic2k]
Is it me or is the snake being choked by the tree thingy!! This is such a giggle. I scrolled down with anticipation !What's next?
ALIEN
KIT LIST : 5" ALIEN HEAD / 5" CLEAR / 260Q SPRING LILAC
When I saw an Alien head inside a clear balloon I got excited followed by the feeling of huge disappointment. No effort has been made to make a decent body. This is no hitchhiker hat (checkout Ken Stillman) - this is just a joke - oh I forgot to say this DVD is not just labelled as Commercial Balloons BUT Commercial Balloons With IMPACT!!
[attachment=0:15xi1y9u][/attachment]alien.jpg[/attachment:15xi1y9u]
TEDDY ON A HEART
KIT LIST : 260Q SPRING LILAC / 260Q ROSE / 6" HEART
I am trying to think of something positive to say about this but I can't. I think I will save the rest of this DVD for tomorrow.... can you believe I still have vol 2 and vol 3 to watch!
[attachment=0:4h9uwzg6][/attachment]teddy.jpg[/attachment:4h9uwzg6]
** UPDATE **
There is a version of the teddy included on this DVD where a balloon stick has a heart placed on top and the teddy attached to the stick. Unfortunately I have no balloon sticks!
The heart is a nice shape?
As I see, it is a broken heart. :)
I was thinking about this review all day today and how it maybe useful and thought that maybe the basic balloons in this DVD might be suitable for teaching at absolute beginners balloon workshops. While these models might not impress those of us who have had extensive experience with balloons, they may have more appeal than your basic balloon dog to novices. Sometimes when you are used to making complex things, its hard to remember how to teach simple things to people. I am pretty sure that a novice would be stoked to produce the little alien dude. Anyways just thoughts
Hi ya,
I judge each DVD based upon the marketing blurb on the box and what it claims to be, "Commercial Balloons with Impact". I bought the DVD on that understanding. So far it has fallen way short.
Had it been titled and sold as basic balloon modelling for the very beginner then my response would have been more favourable.
Saying that, there is still much better material on the market for a new starter.
At least with my review you know what you will be getting for your investment.
So buyer beware ;-)
Hi Nippy,
Why was this DVD chosen over some of the other suggestions. Is it being reviewed purely to make a point?
Thanks,
Martin.
Hi Martin,
No not at all - i simply took the next batch from my stack of material to review and I thought I would get cracking with one whilst I waited to see what other people wanted. If you want to make a suggest for an item I would be happy to add it to my list.
Open to suggestions.
Quote from: "Martin"Hi Nippy,
Why was this DVD chosen over some of the other suggestions. Is it being reviewed purely to make a point?
Thanks,
Martin.
Nippy asked us to vote or suggest, I did suggest this one so maybe my fault? but I have not got this in my collection.
It is no-ones fault and I don't see the problem in reviewing this DVD and sharing my opinion. I would have got to it eventually. They can't all be great and I will say things as I see them.
It's just my opinion and everyone is welcome to post theirs. I have no problem with that at all.
FLOWER
KIT LIST : 160Q RED / 160Q GREEN
This is a nice, quick and easy flower ideal for line work. It uses a 160Q so this gives a little more to work with, without the pressure that a 260Q would usually give. I would probably combine a number of these flowers to make a nice bouquet and then wrap a balloon ribbon around the cluster.
[attachment=0:lvtytai7][/attachment]flower.jpg[/attachment:lvtytai7]
Must be one of the most entertaining reviews! I will say the "Alien" actually makes me cry a little inside.
I mean if it was "Alien head wand" or something like that, I would give it the benefit of the doubt. But even for beginners there is much better material out there for this. I understand the guy seemed to be trying to remake some of the classics, but they really aren't improvements.
Twisting with Sam or any of the other starting ones would be much better. Who knows, maybe it gets better! *crosses fingers*
PENGUIN
KIT LIST : 260Q PINK / 260Q WHITE / 260Q BLACK
Now this is more like it and what I would expect from a DVD with this title. This penguin I have been making for years and I still make it for line work. It is very effective. I tend to keep the beak and the feet both orange to save time and can easily create a penguin in under 1 minute. A very nice design and highly effective.
[attachment=0:o832e8fo][/attachment]penguin.jpg[/attachment:o832e8fo]
MONKEY UP A TREE
KIT LIST : 260Q WHITE / 260Q GREEN / 260Q BROWN / 260Q YELLOW / ALIEN HEAD
The leaves of the tree are nice, easy to make with the extra touch of twisting the top bubble on each leaf to give a palm tree shape. The monkey is a variation of a teddy bear with a different coloured mouth. I am still puzzled by the tree and the alien head on top. I cannot see how this adds anything to the design. On the DVD, Mike says he sells this one for £3 in supermarkets....
[attachment=0:lrlyoq8z][/attachment]tree.jpg[/attachment:lrlyoq8z]
Quote from: "nippy99"Hi ya,
I judge each DVD based upon the marketing blurb on the box and what it claims to be, "Commercial Balloons with Impact". I bought the DVD on that understanding. So far it has fallen way short.
Had it been titled and sold as basic balloon modelling for the very beginner then my response would have been more favourable.
Saying that, there is still much better material on the market for a new starter.
At least with my review you know what you will be getting for your investment.
So buyer beware ;-)
Hi Nippy,
You know that I value your opinion highly, I was just trying to think of how you could make an omelet with this bad leg. Its surprising that this still type of material is still being sold, especially when it has to compete against quality of many of the materials that you have already reviewed and free materials like Buster Balloons iTwist YouTube channel leave it for dead. Keep up the good work
Hey Mr Giggles, no problem - you are right to think that way and trust me I try to see the best in everything. I've just made one little gem from this DVD so all is not lost. Will post in a moment.
MOTORCYCLE
KIT LIST : 260Q BLACK / 260Q YELLOW / 260Q SPRING LILAC / 260Q LIME GREEN / 260Q RED / 260Q PALE BLUE
This is a classic of balloon modelling and this is a great addition to this DVD. Mike shows two different ways to make the saddle. One using the method in the photo, and the other is to use a slightly under inflated heart. Along with this, and the penguin, there is something useful here.
[attachment=0:312qjp2w][/attachment]motorbike.jpg[/attachment:312qjp2w]
TEDDY ON A SWING
KIT LIST : 260Q YELLOW / 6" HEART RED / 260Q ROSE
This model is supplied as a bonus item. The swing part itself is simplistic and actually has potential to be used for something else. The teddy is the same basic one. There is another version of this model that uses a 160q for eyes. These are supposed to be sunglasses.
[attachment=0:1t260myf][/attachment]teddy2.jpg[/attachment:1t260myf]
SUMMARY
I judge each DVD/learning resource by it's cover, the aims of the author and what it claims to offer in return for my investment. The main issue I have with this one is it makes that claim that these are "commercial models with impact" and that Mike will "guide you through each model in extreme detail".
In my opinion, I would only regard two of these items as 'commercial' and the instructions are not given in extreme DVD. There are not any close-ups of Mike's hands whilst he is twisting so you do need to have a certain amount of experience to follow the instructions. Therefore this DVD sits in no-mans land - it is not detailed enough for the complete beginner and neither is commercial enough for those with a wealth of experience.
If you are a beginner there are much better training materials some of which are even free. I would regard myself as an intermediate twister but even so, I still learn so much from basic instructional material. This DVD has fallen short and as such receives my lowest rating so far.
Well that is indeed a great review! The fact that you are honest about your evaluations, makes me personally trust your judgement. Thank you for the effort it takes to do what you do. It's difficult to fumble around trying to figure out what dvd or pdf to purchase and you make the job so much easier. THANK YOU!!!!!!
You are most welcome - for as long as everyone finds them helpful I will continue.