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Chad Sanborn Inner circle my fingers hurt from typing, 2205 Posts |
I HATE balloon animals. I personally rarely make balloon animals. I see other people do it.
Its like... the kids want balloon animals... but in order to get one, they have to sit through some magic first. WHY>>>???? If it’s the balloons they want, just make them and move on. Otherwise they see magic as the torture. A pain they must first endure to get what they want. If a kid want’s a balloon animal from me, I say "You like ballon animals?" they of course say "yeahhh" so I give them some balloons and say "make em" The parents laugh. The kids look confused. Then start to whine a little. Then I say "ok..." and tie a knot in the end of the balloon. "It’s a worm". The parents again laugh and sometimes the kids chuckle. If the kid persists, I say "look, are you paying for this meal?" "no..." they say. "Did you do anything to contribute to this meal.. drive here? cook? Pay for the gas?..." "nooo..." they say. "Then what gives you the right to complain about it?" The parents are usually hysterical at this point. Then I usually ask the kid one more time, "do you still want a balloon animal?" they will sometimes say no... but usually its "yes" Then I take the ’worm’ and say "watch.... watch.... it’s going to change... it’s changing...." I bring out some scissors and cut off the ends "yes it’s done. "What is it" they say, "a chameleon" I say. Many puzzled looks at this point. "It has just changed into a STRAW" I say as I drop it into the kids drink. The parents laugh hysterically again. The kids usually end up drinking through the balloon!!! kinda gross when you think about it.. Chad _________________ seeing is believing |
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John Zander Loyal user Downey, CA 247 Posts |
Hi Chad,
Please tell me you are kidding.... please. Sounds as if you hate your job. That sounds really cruel to me, honestly. Why in the world would you treat a child like that? You are the one who said "Do you like balloon animals?" What is a child going to say? Yes.... of course yes. Same as if you said "Who likes candy?" I have worked a great many restaurants, family places and have never done a single balloon animal, and I have never been asked to do one. If you do not like to do them, if you hate them, why in the world would you ask the children if they like them? If you don’t ask them then you would not have a problem and would not have to deal with them. From the beginning till the end of that "routine" you are teasing the child, if that is true and you think that is fun, then you are the wrong person for that job. A balloon for a straw! The last place a latex balloon should be is in a child’s mouth. Does the management know that you are suggesting to a child that they put a balloon in their mouth? Please rethink that. Please forgive me, I do not mean to be negative nor do I mean to put you down in any way, but I have been entertaining children for three years and I was in shock when I read your post. Did you know that it is illegal to give a latex balloon to a child under the age of three? If you do not like balloon work, no problem. Don’t do them, but don’t take it out on the kids. _________________ Thank you, John Zander *************************** The Award Winning Comedy Magic of John Zander http://www.ZanderMagic.com http://www.AllMagic.net ***************************
Thank you,
John Zander *************************** The Award Winning Comedy Magic of John Zander http://www.ZanderMagic.com http://www.AllMagic.net |
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Relax, John, Chad is just kidding.
You ARE kidding, aren't you, Chad? If not, I'd be REALLY interested in knowing what sort of places you work! cheers, Peter Marucci showtimecol@aol.com |
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John Zander Loyal user Downey, CA 247 Posts |
I'm with you Peter, I hope it is a joke.
Thank you,
John Zander *************************** The Award Winning Comedy Magic of John Zander http://www.ZanderMagic.com http://www.AllMagic.net |
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Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
Sounds like he's kidding John...I hope.
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
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Cliff New user Warrington, England. 73 Posts |
I'm with Chad on this one.
Yes.. I am joking
All the best
Cliff |
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Magicman0323 Special user Just outside parts unknown. 713 Posts |
I really hope that you're kidding my man !!
You know what I’m just gonna consider it a joke.
You'll wonder when I'm coming, you'll wonder even more when I'm gone. - Max Malini
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Chad Sanborn Inner circle my fingers hurt from typing, 2205 Posts |
man oh man!!!
It was only a joke. Several ideas from different sources came into play for that one. But all of them I have seen done to kids!!! Except the straw bit. That bit of genius was my own. But the asking about gas.. etc, came from what I saw a waiter do to a kid in a restaurant (Dicks last resort) The worm joke came form Rick Thomas in Vegas. But the original thought about kids wanting balloon animals and not magic is true! So why do magicians make them sit through it?? Just make the balloon and go. I have seen many performers do this. Chad |
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Bengi Veteran user Georgia 309 Posts |
Children of the world are safe again!!!!!!!!!
Glad to hear you were just joking!!!! Bengi |
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
I don’t do balloons myself. There are a couple of reasons for this--I don’t have anything against doing them, particularly by the guys who are really good at it.
One reason I DON’T is because almost everyone else in my area does! They also do the same eight or ten tricks. I do almost exclusively my own material and I’m also a ventriloquist, so I have set myself apart. In fact, quite often, a prospective client asks me if I do balloon animals. When I say no, they respond "Thank God! You’re hired!" The other reason I choose not to do balloons is the liability issue. Some little tyke has a balloon pop and puts out his eye or chokes on it, and I am liable! so I don’t do them. I am constantly amazed at the number of magicians, waiters, etc who give balloons to infants and toddlers. Not me, boy! Funny story-- There’s a guy in my area (HORRIBLE performer!) who does balloons at his ever-changing restaurant gig. This has actually happened a number of times--I’ve witnessed it once and been told about other very similar occasions. He walks up to the table and says, "Would you like a balloon sculpture?" The kid says yes and he explains that they can have a sword or a hat in red or green. The kids says, "A green hat!" And this guy says, "Well, I’ve already started a red sword!" And that’s what he gives the kid! I guess maybe he’s going for an additional mind-reading effect that doesn’t always work?!?!?!
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
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John Zander Loyal user Downey, CA 247 Posts |
I have never done balloons strolling, but a friend of mine does and says that he almost always gets a tip at that table. For me it is more trouble than it is worth, I can’t blow the darn things up. I do use them in the kid shows (and charge extra ) but use a pump.
Glad it was a joke! _________________ Thank you, John Zander *************************** The Award Winning Comedy Magic of John Zander http://www.ZanderMagic.com http://www.AllMagic.net ***************************
Thank you,
John Zander *************************** The Award Winning Comedy Magic of John Zander http://www.ZanderMagic.com http://www.AllMagic.net |
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
While I do balloons and/or magic (I give 'em what they want!), there is a problem:
Many hospitals, etc. won't allow balloons or balloonists because of latex allergies. This is becoming more and more common, for some reason. So -- at a recent convention in North Carolina, a couple of the guys had strands of beads (tiny ones, from craft shops, used for trim) and made little dogs out of the beads. The finished product is about 3/4 of an inch long -- a Minnie Pearl Poodle (assuming you are using white beads). I learned how to do this -- same twists as ballooning -- and customers just love it. It is ideal for restaurants, since you don't have to worry about the balloon popping and bits flying into someone's soup or (heaven forbid!) drink. cheers, Peter Marucci showtimecol@aol.com |
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
Oragami frogs, roses and rabbits with cards and napkins are also a nice alternative that I use quite a bit.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
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Magicman0323 Special user Just outside parts unknown. 713 Posts |
right on greatscott, very good alternatives !!
You'll wonder when I'm coming, you'll wonder even more when I'm gone. - Max Malini
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Burt Yaroch Inner circle Dallas,TX 1097 Posts |
Is this something us newbies can expect when searching out our first gigs?
The expectation of making balloon animals? :confused: I mean, am I to spend years practicing, working on my presentation, mastering misdirection only to be confronted with, "Can you make a balloon giraffe?" This was more tongue in cheek than not but is that a realistic expectation? Are you guys ever turned away because you can’t twist the latex?
Yakworld.
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Very good alternatives, indeed, scott.
There are several web pages that explain how to make a paper rose (out of a bar napkin). So, instead of balloons, you can hand out origami frogs and pearl dogs to the kids and paper roses to the women. Not too shabby! cheers, Peter Marucci showtimecol@aol.com |
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
Y&J-
I've never been turned down for a show because I don't do balloon animals, but yes, some people assume that all magicians do them. A number of magicians have suggested that you must, therefore, learn them, because "You always have to give them what they want!" I disagree. Some magicians also juggle; does that mean we all have to? Some also sing--should we all? Les Trix at the San Remo does magic topless, but I'm not going to. Just as we all don't have to do the same effects, neither do we all have to do the same "variety" bits in addition to magic. If you want to do balloons or if you don't, that's your choice. Just make sure that what you do perform is very, very good, and the client will be happy!
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
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Jim Davis Special user What is....? Utah 945 Posts |
I hate to even admit to this, but I do know how to tie my share of balloons ,
but I have NEVER once taken them to the Wagonmaster Steak Co. (The themed restaraunt where I work.) I have used them before at a family restaraunt, and that was all I did.. there was not time for magic, and I was constantly interruppted by some 4 year old "When’s my turn mister?" I learned, just like all things in life, there is a time and place for everything. Use your head, and determine what you are trying to accomplish, magician -vs- balloonist! And yes I could almost always get tipped when I twisted balloons, but then I don’t really work for tips, I work not to be a jerk! I’m really glad the story at the top was just that a story! Now I can breathe and laugh! Clever! _________________ Diamond Jim Davis "The Cardslinger"
Diamond Jim Davis "The Cardslinger" ~~~ Magic from the '80's....................the 1880's!
<BR><BR> <BR><BR>Don't just be a magician, be a human interest! <BR><BR> <BR><BR>[url]www.periodplayers.com[/ur |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Remember the basic rules of MAGIC.
If you can add balloons to your act, the more valuable of an entertainer you are. This also goes for juggling, and puppets and you don’t have to be a ventriloquist. The great thing about balloons, is there are so many site gags and funny bits of business that can be done. The humor will make your show an added plus! _________________ Dennis Dowhy (800) 927-6671 www.Magic-Magic.com [email]DennisDowhy@magic-magic.com[/email]
Dennis Michael
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Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
-----------
Remember the basic rules of MAGIC. 1. Entertain First, Mystify Second ----------- I have to disagree with you. This is the first rule to being an entertainer. There are far too many out there who "entertain" people with "magic" that is un magical, un mystifying, and doesn’t astound anyone. That is their prerogative, but it ain’t magic. It gives magic a bad public image. If anyone wishes to discuss this further I suggest we create a new topic, probably under the theory section. Tom Cutts |
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