Normski Interview 6/12th April

Started by Graham Lee, March 30, 2009, 10:54:57 AM

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Graham Lee

We have the UK's newest full time balloon artiste answering questions for us this week, as off the 1st April,
yes going full time from the 1st :D
In fact it could be said that three interviews in one will be going on with "The Balloon man" "Billy Bongo" and "Normski" all answering the questions at once :lol:  So should be fun and I hope everything works out for you full time.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Graham Lee

#1
Forgot to give a plug for your website; http://www.izzywizzyparties.com/page5.htm
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Normski

#2
1, What road led you into balloon modelling?

My wife, who is a childrens entertainer wanted to get better with balloons and bought Joe leffler DVD, i watched her make a rocking horse and i couldnt believe how amazing it was especially when she snapped and broke a balloon to make reigns

2, when did you get started with balloons? about 3 years ago


3, What's your best twisting experience?

I was working at the s`oton boat show and was there for a private party, they had a magician who had done this clients parties before and was an ego maniac and was looking down his nose at me..............he laughed when i told him i was here to make balloons. I started to walk around and see if i could make something for someone, my first knock back was a rude women who also laughed at me and said "No Thanks". I looked over at the magician and he was working a group of adults and i thought ..........this is do or die...............

I stood in the middle of the party and started to make a large mermaid out of 350`s, people were starting to look and gather around..............they realised i was not here to make dogs and swords. For the rest of the night i made loads of balloons hats and was the centre of attention to the envy of the magician :lol:

The highlight was when the women in the beginning ,who had not interest came up and apologized and asked me to make her anything i like and went to explaiun that she thought i made flowers or dogs for kids..............I FELT GREAT

Normski

#3
4, What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you during a ballooning/entertaining session? The worst thing was the other night when i was working in a night club/bar and i made this girl some large butterfly wings, she was really drunk and so were her rowdy male friends,everytime i blew a balloon she would grab it and stimulate adult things.........what bothered me was when i finished and walked away her friends thought it was funny to pop all the balloons...................... on a good note these are all learning curves for me of when not to make something and perhaps just blow up a few balloons for them to play with!!!

5, What do you most enjoy about twisting & why?

The reaction you get when someone is excited to receive there sculpture, thres not many jobs that can make people smile.

6, What's your favourite age to entertain? 6 & 7 year olds

7, Do you have the same act but vary the presentation for all ages or do you have set acts for different ages? I use a similar show for all ages, one is aimed more at 3-5 year olds and the other is  6 plus using balloon twisting, games and basic magic.

8, What's your favourite thing to make at the moment?
i am just getting into basic weaving , so like working on hats and flower vases


9, What is the most asked for model?

on my last gig it was a turtle bracelet,made 4 of them!!

10, What do you tend to do more of if stuck in the 'balloon production line' model?

I keep it really simple for line work, dog, sword,beart,heart, flower

11, Who is your market aimed at?

I love making hatz, outfits and elaborate pieces for adults........... i dont mind entertaining younger kids with my new show but when it comes to twisting adults enjoy and respect it a lot more!

12, What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? Etc

Mainly restaraunt, wedding, bar and clubs

Danny the Idiot

#4
Hi Normski!!!

I have some questions for you....

Will you be at Don's day in Birmingham?

Are you planning on going to TMJ this year?

whats your favourite colour of balloon?

Whats your favourite vinegar?  :D

Danny  ;)
Danny Schlesinger
Balloon Excellence Award Winner
https://dannytheidiot.com
https://www.CircoRidiculoso.com
Follow me on Twitter at @danny_the_idiot

Normski

#5
Quote from: "Danny the Idiot"Hi Normski!!!

I have some questions for you....

Will you be at Don's day in Birmingham?

Are you planning on going to TMJ this year?

whats your favourite colour of balloon?

Whats your favourite vinegar?  :D

Danny  ;)


Hi Danny,


I hope to be at Don`s day on friday but i am getting married on the sunday so not sure if i can physically make it :shock:

I am planning to go to TMJ especially as i heard a rumour that sempertex will be sponsoring the jam room  :lol:

I love lime green............

As for the vinegar.............. balsamic but never drink it like lemonade, ive heard it doesnt taste g8..........actually some of us have witnessed this!

Cheers Danny

Normski

#6
14, What irritates you most at a gig?

When i have finished a gig and people look at me really sad and say please can you make just one more balloon............i explain that i have finished and need to go but they dont get it!!

15, How do you book yourself?

Most of my booking are through the work i do on a friday night at aruba, away from that it is yell.com and a little bit of YP

16, What's the biggest thing you've ever made?
Nothing that big, probably the big elephnat mask of Don C


17, What has been your proudest achievement in our wonderful world of twisted latex?

Being able to make a living from entertaining with balloons and the amazing creation i made at the iron man latex competition at tmj........dee  got luck y:D

18, What advice would you give to someone starting out, or wanting to increase their business?

I would look for a great restaraunt in your local area, find out who the decision maker is and go in with your bag of balloons and show him what you can do and tell him about the benefits of being in his restaraunt. It is not very common to have a twister in the uk but it is a great way to educate your clients. Thres no point in just making more and more models just get out and start creating for your customers

19, What road in latex do you see yourself taking in the future

I would like to be recognized as a competent twister amongst my peers and finish working on my  family balloon show.

20, What is your personal goal when you set off to work? Is it money or to entertain etc?

It is both, i love what i do so its NOT work but i do have bills to pay, so its a bit of both

21, What are your balloon goals for the future?

To keep improving,learning and sharing

22, If you could start all over again, would you change anything?

I would of tried to create balloons through trial and error as opposed to being a copycat artists

23, How would you like the future of balloon modelling to develop?

I would like to see more people educated that u can make everything and anything out of balloons and that its not about dogs and swords!!!

Graham Lee

#7
Norman, thanks for doing the interview :D
How is life as a full time pro going? Anything I can help you with? If so you know my number ;)
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Normski

#8
Hi G,

Thanks for your help and support. It feels very surreal to be a full time entertainer, it was a difficult decision to give up a well paid job and all the perks that come with it!! However balloons and entertaining  had always felt the right path for me to be on and i hope my decision to give up my job and change career path will inspire others to follow there own dreams and turn it into reality, hope to speak soon

Normski