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A Show By Joe Elite user Long Island 405 Posts |
I look forward in doing balloon twisting at the end of all my shows. It feels like an extension of the show, where you can interact with the kids as well as the adults. Little jokes, funny business with the balloons, and to personally thank all of the volunteers that helped in the show. The kids and parents remember that. I feel that if you just stand there and hand out pre-made balloons, there is something missing. All of the work getting to connect with the audience to just stand there at the end and hand out stuff, where they just hold out there hand and run off seems like a let down to me. I look at it as watching a Broadway show, and after getting to go back stage to meet the cast. It would feel better to get autographs made just for you than to get something signed before hand.
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
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On Jun 28, 2014, The Mighty Fool wrote: Just a reminder that Buster Balloon pre-makes a portion of his balloons for his shows. He posted a photo on Facebook just the other day, of his car filled with balloon sculptures, as he was heading to a show. And when I saw him perform at KIDabra last summer, a number of his balloons were pre-made. But yes, he did make some on the spot. I like his approach of pre-making some balloons, and making some on the spot as a part of his show. I pre-make the balloon braids that I use for balloon hats, in my gold package birthday shows. I've also pre-made balloon animals in a large, clear garbage bag for some daycare and preschool shows... because they wanted to give them out to the children later on after I had left, as it was time for the children to go home. On the other hand, for birthday shows I do make a balloon for each child (that didn't get one during the show) after the show is over... in that case, there is the interaction and they get to choose the animal and maybe the colour of balloon. And for some shows / markets, I choose to make them for the volunteers who help during the show, but I don't make extras after the show, unless the customer has paid me for balloon twisting as well as the show (I'm not going to make balloons for all 300 kids at the show). - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
I used to make balloon animals but stopped "cold turkey" years ago. Why?
For starters, there was no way I was anywhere near as good as some of these other guys. The main reason I stopped, however, is that I wanted to totally separate myself from all the other performers offering balloon modelling. Gerry |
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
I think you may have sold yourself short. There will always be someone better. The guy who is technically skilled covets the naturally glib and witty, who in turn feels he can never match the handsome guy with great stage presence, who wishes he was more agile and graceful. I can entertain and please an audience with balloons, so I include them. I think that there may even be times when we ourselves are not sure why people like us, but I am sure of one thing: if I stopped doing things because others were better, I would be out of the business.
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Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
Had I thought I was actually going to stick with it, I probably would have studied more and advanced myself in the art of balloon modelling.
My decision was based more on me wanting to separate myself from the thongs of magicians and other entertainers who were offering this service. Gerry |
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themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
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On Jun 26, 2014, Scott O. wrote: I'm finding one in three schools/pre-schools have some-one allergic. In birthday parties, it's one in ten and sadly growing.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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garydunn Veteran user Glasgow 303 Posts |
I've been performing shows, with a couple of balloons in my act for over 25 years, and I've never had one person with a latex allergy. I think people are too quick to label things as allergies these days. When I was little, there was no IBS, gluten intolerance, latex allergy etc. Parents are bring their kids up in such a sterile environment these days. What's wrong with playing in the mud and eating some germs every now and then - it helps build natural immune defences.
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stuartmagic Loyal user Derby England (UK) 240 Posts |
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On Jun 30, 2014, garydunn wrote: Hope you liked it at Glastonbury
British Magical Champion
Of Stage Manipulation 2007 Derby Childrens Entertainer https://www.stuartmagic.co.uk Derby Childrens Entertainer https://www.derbymagiccircle.co.uk https://www.derbychildrensentertainer.com www.facebook.com/DerbyChildrensEntertainerStuartBrown |
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Not only have I never knowingly encountered someone with a latex allergy ( not that I can recall, anyway ), but in 17 years of teaching in public schools I never encountered one, and I used to make balloons for the kids all the time.
I take that back. Upon further reflection, I remember one adult at a restaurant turning down a balloon for the child due to an alleged allergy. One out of thousands is not bad. |
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
I got a latex allergy one Christmas. Work was relentless, and I was pretty run-down. It was awful, but I still tried to twist balloons. Tying the knots was the problem, the latex stretched tight around my already painful fingers, it was agony! I also got pretty bad RSI in the back of my hands - so I had my palms and fingers really itchy and sensitive, and the backs were aching too.
Some nurses at the hospitals I've worked at have also developed latex allergies. It seems to be more common among those who handle latex a lot. As for giving out balloon models - all the kids get balloons at my parties. I'm happy to be a "balloon machine" for a few minutes, with pre-inflated balloons, super-fast twisting swords, flowers, guns, dogs, etc. |
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scottds80 Special user Victoria, Australia 730 Posts |
My wife has a latex allergy. When she goes into hospital, she gets a room completely covered in orange signs saying "latex free zone".
"Great Scott the Magician", Gippsland
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
According to the American Latex Allergy Association (yes there is such a group) less than 1% of the population has laytex allergies. How much less is not stated. Additionally, they do not expand on the severity of the reactions and sensitivity within that <1%. So there is a risk, although it is relatively minimal. It is us it up to us to decide if this is worth making decision to stop twisting balloons.
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MagiCol Special user Dargaville, New Zealand 929 Posts |
I'd say the responsibility for keeping away from latex by those with an allergy to it is that they monitor what they come in contact with. Once a child is, say, four years old that child should be able to do this. Prior to this age they should have an adult around them to monitor the situation. Why should 99+% miss out on enjoying balloon products?
The presentation makes the magic.
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robvh Elite user Calgary, AB 440 Posts |
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On Jun 30, 2014, garydunn wrote: I sense a new upsell opportunity, Gary! "Build the children's immune defences against germs and latex: Add just $50!" |
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
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On Jul 7, 2014, robvh wrote: Haha! "Put this balloon in your mouth ... because you don't know where it's been!" |
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
Http://www.allergyuk.org/rubber-latex-al......-allergy
Latex allergy doesn't appear to be particularly serious, at least in most cases. It tends to be a skin irritation similar to eczema. I think anyone would develop a latex allergy, if they handled balloons enough, or wore latex gloves for long. I've experienced the slow development of the condition, and can attest to how painful it can be. In specific cases, it has been known to be the cause of perioperative anaphylactic reaction in sufferers of spina bifida, but this is very rare. Nevertheless, it would be wise to avoid the use of latex around disabled children, (specifically sufferers of Spina bifida), without first obtaining medical advice or permission. It is important that I add a caveat, that I am not medically trained, and this is my opinion as a layman. Obviously, it would be advantageous to have advice from a qualified professional. Anyone? |
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