|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
alexa Veteran user NJ 393 Posts |
Hi,
So I've been twisting for a couple of years now but due to my parent's lack of fundage for my balloon sculpture growth I have been limited in learning new twists. I can make generic cartoon animals (3-6 balloons) and a balloon bike but that's about the fanciest I've gotten. I also created my own four foot tall balloon skeleton. These balloons aren't very complicated, just large. I have not mastered the pop twist and haven't had any instruction in balloon weaving. I'm looking to get a bigger, broader scope of balloons both in size and fanciness, but mostly just unqieu reputation-makers. I've only learned from people and Captain Visual's book, and dvd's by Don Caldwell, David Bartlett, Ken Stillman, and Bruce Kavler have been reccomened/look appealing to me. If anyone knows about these dvd's and can reccomend a little more specifically based on my current skill level, (ex. is Don Cadwell's Mad Hatz and Wild Wearables Vol. 1 okay for me at this level?)it would be greatly appreciated. Also, how easy is it to learn off of a DVD? I've only used books before but I think I need to head into DVD as there is more choice for what I'm looking to accomplish... Thanks to all, Alexa |
|||||||||
mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Alexa, sounds like you're well on your way.
You might check out T. Myers Magic from Texas. He has been involved with balloons for years and has lots of balloon related material to choose from. Here is a link to his site. http://www.tmyers.com/MW1/Home.html Take care, Mark. |
|||||||||
alexa Veteran user NJ 393 Posts |
Thanks Mark!
I've been trying to select my DVD's from T Meyers website for quite some time now. I'm just wondering when he mentions the skill level whether or not "medium twister" is my level or not. |
|||||||||
Buster Balloon Regular user 168 Posts |
While there are many great books and magazines on balloon art, I do believe that the best way to learn advanced balloon techniques is on video and DVD. There are just some things that you have to see to really grasp.
On the T. Myers website, intermediate or medium skill level would probably include a pinch and pop but not necessarily weaving. It sounds like you are still at the beginning level, but just a few techniques away from intermediate. If you can successfully make everything in Captain Visual’s Book, you are probably ready for intermediate material. Here are my favorites. These are the videos and DVD’s that, I use the most and would never part with. Everything by Ralph Dewey and Marvin Hardy should be in your collection. Marvin’s published work is mostly for the beginner, were as Ralph goes from beginning to advanced-intermediate. These two men along with Captain Visual should be in every twister’s library. TWIST WITH SAM may be the single best beginning DVD ever. Great material clearly taught. http://www.tmyers.com/dvd/sam.html David Grist’s 9 volumes on balloon twisting could very well be the Tarbell Course in Magic. If you do not mind video, T. Myers has them. If prefer DVD you will have to order direct from David’s site. Since all of the money from the DVD’s goes directly to David’s widow and children, I recommend buying from his site. If you cannot afford the entire set, just start with volume one and work your way up. You will not be sorry. http://www.tmyers.com/video/grist.html or http://www.davidgrist.com/browse/0/SG13 Dave Bartlett has the best simple to intermediate balloons around. He only uses 260’s and does not work big, but the sculptures are great and very practical for most twisting environments. My favorite is the Girls In Gowns DVD. http://www.tmyers.com/dvd/bartlettdvd.html FUNNYBONE'S ADVANCED BALLOON TECHNIQUES FOR EVERYONE has some really great stuff, and despite the title is really more intermediate than advanced. Really phenomenal and commercial material. http://www.tmyers.com/dvd/ianneo.html And if you think you are ready, more advance material can be found on… http://www.tmyers.com/video/ray.html (beautiful designs) http://www.tmyers.com/dvd/adams.html (scuba mask is worth the price alone) http://www.tmyers.com/dvd/stillman.html (revolutionary technique that changed the face of twisting) As for reviews on the T. Myers website, they are very honest. The reason you do not see really bad reviews is because Tom sends the review to the author first. Many have decided not to sell through him once they saw what would be posted. If he is luke warm or non-committal on something it is probably pretty good. But if he is enthusiastic about a product, it is definitely a winner. Except for that Caldwell guy, I personally think he is a hack, and you are better off with some of the other artists listed above. http://www.tmyers.com/dvd/caldwell.html Good Luck
Buster Balloon
Creative Genius, Balloon Twisting Savant, & Pre-Sweetened Breakfast Cereal Connoisseur http://BusterBalloon.com |
|||||||||
rogueclown Veteran user Hollywood 320 Posts |
You got to be kidding Buster!!! Caldwell's stuff is pure genius!!! If it was not for Mad Hatz and Wild Wearables Volume 1, I would not be where I am today!!!
That DVD alone is priceless, in fact if I could figure out what happend to Don Caldwell I would give him more money for that DVD!!! Everyone else that Buster mentioned is well worth buying too, BUT Caldwell is a sure thing. Merry Christmas all!!! RC |
|||||||||
Buster Balloon Regular user 168 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-12-25 17:27, rogueclown wrote: Humbug. I still say he is over rated.
Buster Balloon
Creative Genius, Balloon Twisting Savant, & Pre-Sweetened Breakfast Cereal Connoisseur http://BusterBalloon.com |
|||||||||
alexa Veteran user NJ 393 Posts |
Thanks for your help! I had some trouble learning the pop twist from the book, but I'll look back over it and try to figure it out. It would be a shame to be a twist or two away from the next level and have to splurge my limited channukah money on a beginner tape. Thanks for the comprehensive guide. Don, I've heard such good things about you, your tape is the one that I really want. I hope I can get to that level sooner rather than later!
Alexa |
|||||||||
rogueclown Veteran user Hollywood 320 Posts |
Alexa,
You can already twist a D.C. style monkey and I know that you can already twist a Ken Stillman Hitchhiker hat too. Stick with it!!! RC |
|||||||||
alexa Veteran user NJ 393 Posts |
Thanks to all. I'll keep you posted on what I do decide to buy.
Alexa |
|||||||||
Buster Balloon Regular user 168 Posts |
Actually Alexa,
If you must waist your money one one of my DVDs, you would probably be ok with Mad Hatz Vol. I, and you would definitely be alright with BlowHard. I can't wait to hear more about your progress.
Buster Balloon
Creative Genius, Balloon Twisting Savant, & Pre-Sweetened Breakfast Cereal Connoisseur http://BusterBalloon.com |
|||||||||
alexa Veteran user NJ 393 Posts |
Really? Okay, thanks! I'm gonna go check them out again...this is what I get for being undecisive...
Alexa |
|||||||||
alexa Veteran user NJ 393 Posts |
Alright. I took another look at all of the ones on T Meyers. You mentioned Girls in Gowns is good, and in addition to everything else, another item on my list was a good, girly, princess-y dvd. Now I can't decide between girls in gowns, fairy princess wonderland, and balloon utopia some of my favorite things. Any thoughts? I do princess parties, so I need something I can give to the birthday girl that's special and then a variety of girly things for everyone else at the party.
Alexa |
|||||||||
Buster Balloon Regular user 168 Posts |
Girls In Gowns is THE DVD for the special Birthday sculpture. But his princess sculptures take about 10 to 15 minutes each, so they are probably not what you will want for every little girl at the party.
Buster Balloon
Creative Genius, Balloon Twisting Savant, & Pre-Sweetened Breakfast Cereal Connoisseur http://BusterBalloon.com |
|||||||||
alexa Veteran user NJ 393 Posts |
Have you tried the Balloon Utopia one? I'm thinking that might be good for everyone else...
|
|||||||||
Rob the Balloon Guy New user West Hartford, CT 96 Posts |
Don, I've tried making girls in gowns for birthday children, but they don't seem to like them. Something about being to girly or something. Jeez, boys these days can't appreciate a good girl in a gown. What am I doing wrong? Please advise.
Which Balloon Utopia video/DVD are you talking about Alexa? The only one I own is the hat one. All of the sculptures are abstract hats (meaning they don't look like an object or animal.) There's also an elephant on it, which, with the addition of one balloon, can be turned into a hat. |
|||||||||
alexa Veteran user NJ 393 Posts |
Sorry, I meant the one titled "Some of my favorite things." It's on T Meyers site.
|
|||||||||
MopKrayz Elite user 423 Posts |
Maybe Alexa wanted to refer to the Balloon Utopia DVD - Toys for Boys
|
|||||||||
alexa Veteran user NJ 393 Posts |
No, I meant the one for girls, Some of My Favorite Things. Have any of you tried any of the Balloon Utopia stuff? Also, I found instructions on the internet that were easier for me to follow for the pop twist, and I successfully made the mermaid out of 260's with the pop twist! Of course I've been practicing it alot...but I just...GET IT. So I think I'm officially an Intermediate twister. I'll post a pic of it as soon as I can.
Alexa |
|||||||||
YourBalloonMan New user 2 Posts |
I'm excited and I am sure you'll do great! I would lean more toward girls in gowns. I own it. I like it. It works. ;-)
|
|||||||||
The Funny Titan New user 52 Posts |
Yeah T myers has some of the best resources you can find on the net for purchase.
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Ballooning 101 » » Balloon dvd advice (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |