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Josh Riel Inner circle of hell 1995 Posts |
Just curious. I am primarily a magician, but I do like to do stuff for the very young. I decided on balloons. I found that not only the very young enjoy them.
Now I need a little direction. I am getting somewhat locally, but as the Café is my internet home for my entertainment arts..... I have several books a DVD and I go to Balloon Attractions frequently. I can do 2 dozen different balloon things without much thought, simple to medium-advanced. 1-4 balloons typ. each. more if I can remember them, some I have worked out for myself. Now for the question: How many should I be able to do? I have found that many of the clowns around here (I am not a clown) don't do near as many as me. Am I making the same mistake that I made in magic. Attempt to be able to do it all when a more limited approach would better serve?
Magic is doing improbable things with odd items that, under normal circumstances, would be unnessecary and quite often undesirable.
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Comedy Writer Special user 594 Posts |
As many as you like.
Each kids just get one; and there is no need to make every one different. We mostly learn tons of figures for our own amusement. Comedy Writer PS A safety note: Don't give balloons to those three and under. Choking hazard. |
Marvello Inner circle It's amazing how little I can say in 1612 Posts |
I do 4 - the worm, the snake, the stick and the pole
seriously- I think the more things you can twist the better off you will be, so keep on learning. As said earlier, don't be afraid to duplicate balloon twists - in fact after you do a cool sculpture for one kid all of them will want one just like the other kid has.
Never criticize someone else until you have walked a mile in their shoes. Then, when you do criticize them, you will be a mile away from them and you will have their shoes.
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Howdydoodat New user Nick Brown 26 Posts |
You sonud like your doing plenty at the moment. When I started I learned about a dozen models then went out and learned as I went along. Now I feel the trick is not to get tripped up by a request. I specialise in 1-2 ballon models sometimes dabbling with 3-4, if there is something I can't do I just say that's too many balloons its just 1 or 2 balloons today. I don't think there should be an exact amount to know just enjoy it and put on a good show.
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Josh Riel Inner circle of hell 1995 Posts |
Do you make it an act, or do you just tie balloons?
By the way when I said clowns around here I meant my area, not the Café' and of course, just the ones I know here. as my knowledge is limited, it would have been better had I not put it that way... (I just re-read that now, and see where it might have been a wee bit offensive).
Magic is doing improbable things with odd items that, under normal circumstances, would be unnessecary and quite often undesirable.
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Gideon Sylvan Special user Deerfield, IL 541 Posts |
I learn as many as I possibly can. My goal in any gig is to be able to make whatever I am asked to. If I don't know how, I will figure it out; just the other day I was asked to make a chainsaw, took some thinking, but I got it done.
I am primarily a magician too, but I love my balloons. I charge a lot when people want balloons at their party because I make good solid stuff for each child. The decision is ultimatly yours on what you want to get by with. 24 balloons is enough to get by, but you are by no means close to balloon artist standards. In terms you would understand, you basically own the invisible deck and a thumb tip. Yeah they are great and hit hard, but does that make you a hardcore magician? Can you still do some magic after your balloon gig, sure? Is it strong? Sure! But can you come back and do a magic show? Nope. Hope this helped, Gideon
You know you are a magician when you have boxes full of lecture notes you have never read, but still are excited about going out and buying more.
www.gideonsylvan.com |
Josh Riel Inner circle of hell 1995 Posts |
I'm not thinking of going rubber for all my paper, but I want to stick it in where it would fit. I just get the impression that I have to "Put on a show" when I'm tying, I think just watching the bubbles turn to other stuff alone isn't an attention grabber. Knowing how to tie a couple dozen balloons is great but it seems not enough to get the ooohs and ahhs and laughter that I want.
You have all been helpful. Thanks.
Magic is doing improbable things with odd items that, under normal circumstances, would be unnessecary and quite often undesirable.
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Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
You can always go to balloonhq.com for info on routining a show and how to do some extra stuff (monthly columns).
I found that I stopped doing the single balloon animal balloons simply because 1 out of 10 people know how to do most of them anyhow. I stick with hats and costumes and multi balloon creations. Sure they take longer and a 10 second doggie, but I hate being the balloon factory and doing more complex stuff allows for more of show (sometimes out of nescessity to keep a crowd around you!) |
Cholly, by golly! Loyal user 251 Posts |
There are several balloon guys (not clowns or magicians... just balloons) in my area who are booked solid and they never do much more than 3-twist doggies and swords.
The truth is you can "get by" with suprisingly little... ...but how much fun is that? |
HatTrix Regular user USA 108 Posts |
Personally I think you should learn tons just because its fun. But how many should you be able to do in a preformance? Well I would say 10 balloons you have down pact 5 more advance 2-3 ballooners, and 5 more basics 1-2 balloon sculptures like the sword, and the poodle basic stuff. Make sure your rounded age group wise with what balloons you use.
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