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Messages - jake g

#1
Welcome / Re: Hello from Bruce Kalver
January 31, 2009, 05:18:52 PM
Hey Bruce:  I saw your lecture in New Jersey and it was far and away one of the most practical lectures that I've seen.  Lots of usable stuff, and a very enjoyable evening.  
jake
#2
Balloon Tutorial & Help / Adult Balloon Source
December 09, 2008, 01:43:33 AM
Have any books or DVDs been written since "Bar Room Balloons" which feature adult balloons?
#3
I do a 20-25 minute balloon act as part of my magic show.  It could be a stand alone show if I wanted to, but it doesn't give me enough time for most of my shows which are generally about 45 minutes long.  It's all audience participation, sometimes the entire audience participating, other times anywhere from one to five kids 'on stage'.   The balloons give a whole new dimension to the show, and works great particularly if you have a repeat booking and want to show something different.
#4
Balloon Chit Chat / Re: Norm Bernhart?
October 14, 2008, 05:31:53 PM
Google 'Norm Bernhart magic.  He sells them on his site.
#5
Balloon Chit Chat / Re: Norm Bernhart?
October 13, 2008, 06:46:34 PM
This is an excellent dvd if you want something to stimulate your creative juices and put you on the road to developing an entertaining show.   So, if you want to be an entertainer as well as a twister, this should be in your library.
#6
I would consider using a menu board with pictures of the twists that you prefer making.  I found that it makes the lines move faster faster.  
It's probably best to make your own, but TMyers has a book of clip art which is very good for making the boards up.  I've used it and like it a lot.  The only drawback is that most of the figures are basic, but there are enough of them to give you plenty of variety.
#7
If someone asks me why payment has to be in cash, I just tell them that I don't have to claim it.  Since everybody loves scamming the tax man, people accept that answer without question.
#8
Website "Chat" Help / Re: New Site
September 01, 2008, 02:44:46 PM
When I scroll down the page and come to the line that says to click on the link, the list of links is too high up to be on the screen.  I really didn't notice them when I opened the page because my eye went right to the most colorful part of the page.
#9
In 1963 I was a part time magician doing maybe 75 to 100 shows a year.  Mostly birthday parties and kid's banquets. Somehow in one of my travels, I met up with Bob Folmer.  He convinced me that I should be doing a balloon show.  He was right.  The animals that I was making were all out of 338's and 315's, and were very basic. It was a 20 minute stage/parlor act.
I wore a clown costume, and believe me when I tell you that I never ran into one other clown doing magic or balloons in those days, except for the ones working in the circus. (Hey-U was my clown name.)  
Pretty soon I was taking the balloon act into shopping malls, fairs, schools, and all other kinds of venues.  Entertainment became my prime source of income.  
I was doing a performing at one of the magician's convention when I met Joe Lamonica.  He showed me some things with 260's, and I added walk around as an additional money maker.
Burn out came about 1995.  I gave it all up.  The bug got me again, I've recently gotten back into the business.  I was stunned at how balloon sculpting had advanced. Unbelievably fantastic balloon scuptures are to be found all over the web.
 I've re-written my balloon and my magic show to bring them up to date, and I'm having a ball.  
I'm now working out of Patricia Bunnell's dvd, and I love her characters.  I wish that I could find an easy way to put her figures on a body instead of a hat.  That way I'd have a choice ,and could add variety with the same critter.
Well that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
#10
Can someone direct me to instructions for a wrap around horse?  I had a request for a horse during Saturday's show, and mine is so lame that I should have shot it.  I saw the photos of the wrap around and it looks great.
#11
As an I don't accept credit cards because of the hassle involved, I do believe that it would increase business.  When quoting a price, especially to someone who might be iffy about affording a show, accepting credit cards might just be the thing to sway the decision in your favor.  Many insurance companies are accepting credit cards for the first premium for that very reason.
#12
Welcome / Saying Hello
August 09, 2008, 01:44:12 AM
Hi Folks.  My name is jake and I've been around balloons since the days of the old 338's and 315's.  I did a balloon act as part of my magic repertoire for many years, working shopping malls, fairs, and anything else that I could book.  It was so rare to find a balloon act that I was the only one listed with half a dozen booking agents in a major city.   After about 25 or so years, I left magic, but the bug came back and bit me again.  I found that while I slept, ballooning progressed to a place that wasn't even imaginable then.  Phenomenal work is being done today. I've got a lot of catch-up to do.
jake