Balloon Chat
Uncategorized Boards => Interview a "Balloon Chat" Member => Topic started by: Graham Lee on August 22, 2008, 11:20:18 PM
Dave has kindly agreed to answer the questions this week, a little I know about Dave is that he is a very good manipulator in the world of magic & also I recall him doing some venting at a magic club that I go to a few moons ago.
Dave if you fancy giving a quick life history, please do. Or a long one come to that, I enjoy reading about others. My favourite section on here is the "How did you get started" section so if anyone wants to do a write up about themselves,
that's the place ;)
So please post away with any questions & on Monday I'll start posting the usual list.
I'll post a brief resume here, Graham, then it will be readily available for all - I am not one of those 'famous' people, like you , Graham, and others on here :|
I have been in magic from being about nine years old, but really 'got into it' in my early teens - the manipulation side of it (the usual cards, billiard balls, etc.).
I started my working life as an insurance underwriter then made a total about turn, became 'a professional' and went working on cruise ships - doing magic, of course :)
Some years later, I met a young lady (now my wife, Sally) and decided to to land-lock myself and do children's shows. That was some 30 years ago (no spring chicken, me) and I haven't looked back. I'm still doing children's shows - am working the IBM children's show in Eastbourne in September, supporting the rest of the bill (I'm on first!).
For years, from a balloon point of view, I have been making the same one-balloon animals :roll: but about two years ago, I decided to give myself a kick up the rear. I put my manipulation act back together, got third place at an international convention in Slovakia last year, and am slowly building up my balloon 'portfolio' (mainly hats). I have now done several line-work jobs and they all said that I was brilliant - little do they know .. fortunately :lol: I am not at all 'inventive' , but hope that comes in time - at least after one of Graham's Care and Share Days I can now do pinch twists in my sleep.
Graham mentioned ventriloquism - I started this in 1977 and Jessica, my duck, is what gets me booked. Nobody wants just me :cry:
Well, I think that is about it - ask away, anything you want and I will answer to the best of my ability.
Dave
Hello Mr Andrews ;) Here are the first lot of questions;
if anyone else wishes to ask Dave some questions, please do :)
1, What road led you into balloon modelling?
2, when did you get started with balloons?
3, What's your best twisting experience?
4, What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you during a ballooning/entertaining session?
5, What do you most enjoy about twisting & why?
6, What's your favourite age to entertain?
1. The road to balloon modelling? It was something 'extra' in days (years) gone by, that some didn't offer, and it was an added attraction in a magic show.
2. Started with balloons? About 30 years ago with a small booklet (I forget the name of the person, but when it comes to me, I will let you know. He was well known at the time!). I still make his 3 balloon swan for the birthday child, as there is just about every 'bit of business' that you can use.
3. Best twisting experience? Has to be during my first 'line-work' when a couple of people told me I was 'the best'. I knew differently, but I just smiled and said 'thankyou'. What else could I have done???!!!
4. The worst thing that has happened to me ballooning? Not finishing on time twice this weekend - half-an-hour extra both times and not even a 'thankyou' or a tip :( . Gutted. Have made a mid new year resolution that this will not happen again.
I haven't really been twisting 'seriously' for that long, so I'm sure that there will be real horror stories to tell at some point in the future.
5. What do I enjoy about twisting & why? As I am relatively new to anything beyond a balloon poodle, I totally enjoy what I make (as long as it is not a poodle, and comprises more than one balloon). To watch the children's faces (and those of the adults) is worth a mint. Sunday, I made a jesters hat for one of the children. He went into the kitchen where the parents were 'hanging out' and the laughter, when he walked in on them, was worth a fortune.
6. Favourite age to entertain? It has to be from playgroup/nursery up until about 7 years old. Over that age, it needs a different approach, but not vastly. Over 9, I can still manage, but, again, just a different selling angle.
I must say, however, that I also do school discos and the older ones (12 - 16) go nuts over a balloon dog, and will dance their hearts out to win one. Go figure! However, it is all down to the initial 'approach'. Most of them think 'who is this old guy'. Then they can't believe that I know all the latest songs/bands and, even better, I have them all. We part as friends - now that has got to be good.
In fact, I have met some that I entertained when they were 4 or 5 (they are now in their teens) and they say 'you're the guy with the duck. Will you do it for us?' Of course, I do :lol: (Nothing to do with balloons, but a lot to do with one's approach and entertainment, perhaps).
I only prefer the younger end because they are still in 'fairytale land' and it really is entertainment as it should be (for me, anyway).
Hope that answers those satisfactorily :)
OK - I'm waiting and looking forward to whatever you throw at me.
Dave
PS. Thanks for the start, Graham (or is that Mr Lee?)
If ballooning questions are scarce, I'm more than willing to talk about the 'magic' side of my life and using magic to entertain children :)
Come on, sock it to me ... please :!:
Dave
Hi Dave,
how and where do you learn new balloon models?
What would you like to learn in balloons?
Danny
Dave, sorry Mr Andrews here are somew more questions;
7, Do you have the same act but vary the presentation for all ages or do you have set acts for different ages?
8, What's your favourite thing to make at the moment?
9, What is the most asked for model?
10, What do you tend to do more of if stuck in the 'balloon production line' model?
11, Who is your market aimed at?
12, What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? Etc
12A, After all these years in magic what would you say was your best one hour show.
Danny
Where do I learn new balloon models - I'm buying dvd's like crazy! Just bought the three from Patricia Bunnell and can't recommend them highly enough. Twisted Critters - Get them! They are all balloon hats, but I am well into those at the moment. (I'm sure I'll get around to yours very soon, Graham!).
What would I like to learn in balloons - at the moment, I'm happy soaking up what I can in the hat line, but (and please don't repeat this) I would love to have a go at some weaving. The car that Billy Wiz made was just superb. Someday .. someday.
I just think hats are great for line-work and birthday parties - theoretically, they keep them on their heads so they don't burst before I leave.
Thanks, Danny - love your website, by the way, and the Youtube clip. Great.
Graham (what's with the Mr Andrews :?: )
Same act, or varied for different ages - I basically do the same act for 7's down and just change the presentation. Over 7's I tend to alter the material if I feel I need to. Over 10's, I try to avoid from a magic show point of view, but have done close-up for them. If I am doing a disco, then I don't mind throwing in the odd trick. I just stop the music, stroll out front and magish. It just makes them think I'm slightly eccentric, but the approach seems to work.
Favourite balloon to make at the moment - there are one or two, I'm enjoying it so much. I like the baseball cap, but add two large eyes at the front and it changes the whole appearance (I think I saw Joe Lefler do that), the monkey up a tree (it just makes me smile) and the roadrunner 'lookalike'. Good fun.
Most asked-for model (s) - a dog and a sword. Sheesh, I do try to avoid them, honest, Guv.
Stuck in the balloon production line - I have a display (photos) of 'the models I am making today', and try not to get stuck just making the same one. I haven't done that many 'just balloon jobs' as yet, and haven't seemed to get stuck. Oh, I suppose the killer, if you have several girls together, is the flower bracelet. So, after all that, I'll settle for the sforesaid bracelet.
Who/where is my market and where do I work most - birthday parties and schools in the main, along with fetes and social clubs. Corporate work scares the h*** out of me, but I have done their Xmas parties for the children; shopping centres just haven't come along, nor, as yet , have I approached them - possibly in the future when I feel really comfortable with the ballooning.
Best one hour show - A repeat Billiard Ball production, last ball changed to balloons with a ch. bag, 3 balloon swan ensues, and somewhere in there I will do the Silver Sceptre, finishing on ventriloquism with Jessica, my duck.
The bare bones don't take long to detail, but it really does run about an hour with all the business, etc. Well, that's what I tell 'em :!:
Thanks, Graham - next, please, this is fun; almost therapeutic :lol:
Dave
Hi Dave,
thanks for the website and Youtube compliments! :oops:
If you like hats I recommend the Bad to the Balloon DVD's by Mark Byrne. Nice designs and fast & easy to make for lines. The Swan hat is ridiculously simple but very effective.
Also for hats I recommend a book too - "The Inflatable Crown Balloon Hat Book" by Addi Somekh. He does abstract shaped hats that you can eventuallly use the principles to just make up the designs yourself. So you can design the hat on the spot for the person using their colours of clothes, body shape....a personal hat!
Whats your set up for balloons?
Do you do any magic with balloons?
Danny
Danny, many thanks for the info, I will investigate, although you have just delayed my ordering Graham's dvd's - possibly :o
Set up for balloons - I have sectioned off one of those silver tool boxes .. nah, it's easier to take a photo and post it. Give me a few hours, and I'll post the pic, Danny, and explain a bit more then.
Magic with balloons - yes, I do, but not a great deal. I have the Practical Magic Knitty Knitty Bang Bang (that's short for a knitting needles, with tube, penetration of a 260 balloon (just in case someone hasn't heard about it). Whilst at KIDabra, I saw a version of the same thing, but with nails and no jiggery pokery that was evident and you can handle it cleanly close up. I bought that and will use that instead. Anyone want to buy a Knitty Knitty etc. :?:
I also have (for the life of me I can't remember its name -age, don't ya know) a ring on a short pole. You put a fat'ish balloon in the ring and when you, or the child puts it down, the balloon bursts. It's just a runningg gag kind of thing, but it suits my sense of humour.
Thanks again, Danny, pic follows later.
Dave
Danny, here are the pics I promised - much easier than words :)
The case! (although the remote controls have nothing to with it!)
//[img]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b188/magicman1/27808027.jpg[/img]
The case open, showing the various sections .....
//[img]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b188/magicman1/27808028.jpg[/img]
A flap in the lid lets me include other balloons, but still in their bags ....
//[img]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b188/magicman1/27808029.jpg[/img]
Oops, thats backwards, not to worry :!:
As you can see, it is very basic, and the case stands on a table (magicians cymbal-type thing) but it serves very well.
I have a piece of black foam board that sits on top of the balloons when the case is open, providing a sort of 'black art' effect - the box is empty if a child glances in (and it works - I am sooooo pleased!).
I will shortly be talking to Graham (although he doesn't know it yet) about a bag that hangs on my shoulder, as I have had a few requests for strolling balloon stuff, and something slung on my shoulder would work better. I can't see myself with one of those apron things!
I have to say, that after seeing Graham's act in the same IBM comp. as me, he has been a big influence in my decision to get more into latex - nuff sed :!:
The week's almost over - come on, make the questions really difficult :lol: it's been really cosy so far.
Dave
Dave, More questions;
13, What is your favourite/ideal gig to do?
14, What irritates you most at a gig?
15, How do you book yourself?
16, What's the biggest thing you've ever made?
17, What has been your proudest achievement in our wonderful world of twisted latex?
18, What advice would you give to someone starting out, or wanting to increase their business?
That thing you wre describing I think was made by Ron Gilbert where you jerk the unit up & a needle keeps popping the balloon. I have one & always thought it was good but never got around to putting it into the act. Still nun the wiser on what it's called though.
Graham Lee
Thanks for more questions, Graham.
Favourite/ideal gig - from a balloon point of view, I really enjoy the line-work. From a magic point of view, the under 5's get my vote every time - they still believe in father Christmas and you can really entertain them.
Irritations - mainly the adults; well, not all of them, but most. They can be rude, disrespectful, pompous and other such adjectives. That is why I am a children's entertainer. At least the children are honest in their comments and you can have FUN with them. Adults, Graham, adults :evil:
How do I book myself - please expand on that; in what way do you mean. Sorry to be dim.
Biggest thing I have ever made - my son, I guess. Would you believe he stands nearly 6 feet tall (for those that have met me). But seriously, folks ... as I am a relative newcomer to your fascinating world of latex, from top to toe, I have to be boring and say the roadrunner lookalike :roll: When I do make something big, I will photo it and let you see, but I suggest you don't hold your collective breaths. It could be a l o n g time.
Proudest achievement in twisting - wow, now that is difficult, because in what I am going to say, it is chicken feed for most on here. A little girl asked for a butterfly. Fortunately a few days earlier I had been 'working on' Twistinas' b/fly from her dvd.
I grabbed the balloons, gritted my teeth, delved into my memory and the result surprised even me. The little girl had a big smile and ran away waving it in the air saying, 'Mummy, look what I've got'. I was chuffed.
Just starting out - just go for it. Read as much as you can. Burst as many balloons as necessary, but persevere. It is VERY rewarding, and not just financially.
Increasing business - think carefully about the work you want to get, think about the models you feel will look impressive, please the recipient and not take hours to make. Make the odd ones during your magic show, do 'specials' for the birthday child or helper (even if you have to make them at home first); word will get round that you do these amazing balloon animals/hats, or whatever, and the 'phone calls will start. Hand out lots of leaflets - they are almost free advertising and they are going to clients who have been impressed.
Please bear in mind that I can only tell you what I did/am doing, and it seems to working.
If you have a website, get some balloon info up on there (I'm still working on that one, but it will be there for all to see!).
That balloon thing, Graham, I remembered after you mentioned Ron Gilbert. Practical Magic sell it and they call it Magic marksman. The thing is triggered when it is put down on a hard surface; no need to jerk this one. It does make the children laugh, though, and that is what it is all about in the end.
Cheers, Graham.
Dave Andrews
Magic balloon modelling games disco ventriloquism
(Is this how Google sniffer dogs find you :lol: )
Dave, Here are the last of the questions. I believe Ron gave pratical magic the rights to a few of his props over the last few years;
19, What road in latex do you see yourself taking in the future
20, What is your personal goal when you set off to work? Is it money or to entertain etc?
21, What are your balloon goals for the future?
22, If you could start all over again, would you change anything?
23, How would you like the future of balloon modelling to develop?
24, Who's the most famous person you have made a balloon creation for?
25, How do you keep the enthusiasm going & what still excites you about our great world of latex
26, What inspires or is your thought process in coming up with a new design
27, Who would you like to work with dead or alive?
28, What makes you laugh?
Thanks, Graham, I'll get to them later tonight. I'm in the throes of trying to get our Boys' Brigade Newsletter prepared ready to post out to about 240 Old Boys.
Dave Andrews
What 'latex road' will I follow - I have enough on my plate at present, with all the dvd's on hats that I'm sifting through. So for the forseeable future, it has to be hats, until I am happy with my basic portfolio. Beyond that, I hope to tackle weaving and see where that gets me. Re-interview me a few years down the line; but it's not going to be soon :!:
Money , entertainment or what - I have to say, firstly, that it is obviously the money because I entertain children for a living, but I do sulk after a show if it has not 'entertained'. I just enjoy doing what I am lucky enough to do, and be my own boss. Both are equally important to me, but if the entertainment factor is not there the people booking will simply go to someone else. In short ... I can't decide! Both, equally, I guess. As for the 'or what', I'm not sure that there is anything else left, except for ego, and I'm not into that.
Future balloon goals - I think the 'latex road' bit covers that BUT I suppose if I wanted to dream and take myself a good few years hence, maybe I would like to able to make a scale model of, say, London, or a fairground. A bit like one of those model villages you see. But for me that is dreaming ... isn't it?
Starting again, change anything - only one thing. I left magicians and conventions for a good number of years, before returning some time ago. I would not do that agin. But I'm happy !
The future development of balloon modelling - I have to say, I don't know. It comes from my being a better performer than creator, if that makes any sense. My mind is a practical one rather than an inventive one and I have no control over that. I will leave that to people like you, Thelma and one or two others that don't come readily to mind at the moment. I thought the Dutch lady at your C & S in Surrey was inventive - she had us make that little boat (amongst other complexities!), then Thelma went on to put a little fisherman with rod and a fish, topping it off with a Seagull on the mast. Now that is the type of person who can and will take balloon modelling into the future. Not forgetting the guy who did an original act with balloons at the IBM, of course.
Hope that explains about why I have no idea where it will go. My mind just doesn't work that way. Sorry.
My most famous person - I haven't made a balloon animal for anyone famous, unless you want to count that 'competition' rabbit I made at the C & S day and gave to you :!: :!: From a magic point of view, many, many years ago there was a jam session going on at one of the IBM conventions and I showed some card manipulations to the guy across the coffee table, not realising it was Fred Kaps.
Continuing enthusiasm and excitement in this latex world - I've not even scratched the surface yet, how can I not be enthusiastic and excited. It is just like my first magic set all over again.
What inspires me with new designs - see my answer to the future of balloon modelling above :| I'm just not made that way.
Who would I like to work with dead or alive - now there's a question with many answers. They are all magicians, though. I would love to be in that session with Fred Kaps again, but know who he was. I would love to jam with Johnny Hart - he was the person who, unkowingly, made me take up card manipulation. I would like to do a show with Scotsman Ian Bennett, one of my early magic mentors, a man capable of not only peforming but what he didn't know about magic and magicians was not worth knowing.
I would also like to have made some of the balloon hats I can now do, for my Mum. She would have thoroughly enjoyed both the making of them and the final product. Unfortunately, I am two years too late.
What makes me laugh - slapstick, silly, off the cuff happenings, sharp and witty remarks. I don't laugh easily, although I smile a great deal. If I am watching a show (be it magic, music a play etc) I tend to watch the various techniques and things employed to convey what is happening, so I don't get drawn in very easily and consequently am not the best person to tell a joke to or try to entertain.
Some folks are just weird, aren't they :)
Well, unless someone has something to ask arising from any of my answers, I guess that is that.
It has been fun, I must admit, although I can't say I laughed a lot :lol:
Thanks for the invite, Graham.
Dave
Dave Andrews
See, I do it when I can remember, in the hopes that I'm slowly but surely creeping up the Google ladder.
Dave, Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions for the forum, I certainly enjoyed reading your answers which I found very interesting :)
Graham Lee
Childrens Entertainer, balloon modeller. Let's get google working