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Messages - David Brenion

#31
Picture Gallery / Re: Betcha
May 01, 2014, 07:37:38 PM
Ha! I get it :)
What's the part on the bottom (sorry!)
#32
Picture Gallery / Re: Tank
May 01, 2014, 07:36:25 PM
Woah, the blossom top is great! Being able to turn it was the first thing that popped into my head as well :)
#33
Balloon Chit Chat / Balloon chat new header
May 01, 2014, 03:49:33 PM
I think they look great! Thanks


-David Brenion
www.niftyballoons.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
#34
Balloon Chit Chat / Format of my new video
May 01, 2014, 03:48:25 PM
Ah, I should have been more clear. I do intend to prompt the video on Facebook. What I meant was that I wasn't going to post this particular discussion on Facebook. The thing I really like the forums for is that I can talk to you folks like fellow artists without having to think too much about my clients. People that hire me for parties don't care much about the behind the scenes details of an instructional video, but I know other artists would find that useful.




-David Brenion
www.niftyballoons.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
#35
Balloon Chit Chat / Format of my new video
May 01, 2014, 05:53:04 AM
So, I have a new video out today, "Olaf", which I have posted pictures of. I don't want to spend too spend too much time trying to self promote, so if you are interested in buying the video, it's now available over at www.balloon-animals.com/catalog.

What I really want to talk about is the format of this new video, and how I think the digital download format is changing the way instructional video may be offered in the future.

I have been offering my content solely as digital download for over a year now. In the past, when making a full length video or DVD, a lot of thought went into what sculptures would fit in the time limit of the chosen medium. This was good in that video producers worked hard to pack each precious minute with important content. But I always find that I have loads of useful things to say about any one particular sculpture, and I have the hard task of cutting out all but the most essential bits.

So, an average instructional video or DVD would have about 10-12 designs and run approx 120 minutes (about 10 minutes per design). When I finally got around to doing the rough cut of this Olaf video I had about a 25 minute video. I intended to cut it down significantly from there to fit into my preconceived mold of how long an instructional video should be.

But then I had a thought. Why? Why cut it down? I'm not trying to fit within a time constraint. So why not let the video be 25 minutes long? It's all good useful information, so instead of struggling to decide what to cut out and what to keep, why not keep it all?

Then I got another thought. I know what it's like when I watch a video. I love to learn all the extra hints and see each step in slow detail, but I also like to get to the end of a sculpture. And I know that if I were to watch this 25 minute instructional video for one sculpture, I would be clawing at my eyes by minute 15. I needed to consider the more advanced twister who can pick up the design just by watching the sculpture being built without interruption.

In the past, with DVD or VHS, the compromise would be to make the video more middle of the road, not to fast, not too slow. It's not perfect, but it was a valid solution.  

If I'm not worried about time, not only can I have my 25 minute instructional video, but I can also offer a whole second video of the sculpture being built without interruption!  That way the more advanced twisters can watch learn the sculpture quickly, and go back to the more detailed step by step instructions for more hints. This second vidoe came out to a more manageable 8.5 minutes (working at a moderately slow pace).

And then I had another thought! Whenever I finish a video, and edit it, and every thing is done...I think of other things I want to include. Usually, it would be too late. But with digital video uploaded directly to the consumer, I can add more anytime I like. At the last minute, days after filming, I remembered a few things I wanted to add. So I got back in the same (almost) shirt and tie as the first day and shot about 5 more minutes worth of tips for this design.

In the end, it all totaled up to 40 minutes of video broken down into 3 separate chapters. I would never have devoted that much time to one design in the past. But now, the one size fits all model of DVD creation and distribution isn't holding me back. I can offer way more than ever before, and for way less money. And I think that's kind of cool!

This is where you, the video consumer comes in. You are now in a unique position start dictating how you want your balloon education to work for you. Content providers, like any other business person, need to pay attention to demand, and what services people like or dislike.

Since this way of offering videos is still in it's infancy, I would love to hear feedback from you all about your experience buying and using online video tutorials. Are there additional features that you think a digital download should include or things that could be improved?

I also want to note that I am intentionally not posting this to facebook, this is just for forum folks! Graham reminded me recently that the forums are a valuable place. With the recent sad news of Tmyers going under, I'd hate to see these forums go the same way. Facebook is great for somethings, but it can never be a community the way a forum is.
#36
Picture Gallery / Decor
April 30, 2014, 08:45:59 PM
I don't mind at all, yours came out great!


-David Brenion
www.niftyballoons.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
#37
Competitions / Balloon Snap Week 40
April 30, 2014, 07:04:47 AM
Any others?


-David Brenion
www.niftyballoons.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
#38
Competitions / Balloon Snap Week 40
April 28, 2014, 07:30:38 PM
Oh, and I just noticed what you meant by "slight difference" ;) I have some photographer friends who would appreciate that. Let's see if other folks notice what the difference is


-David Brenion
www.niftyballoons.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
#39
Competitions / Balloon Snap Week 40
April 28, 2014, 07:28:45 PM
I like the added trim work, Graham! Thelma, the Q link isn't necessary, I just like the fact that I can apple twist a Qlink and use the tail to tie it off so no extra scrap is needed.


-David Brenion
www.niftyballoons.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
#40
Competitions / Balloon Snap Week 40
April 28, 2014, 05:39:08 AM
Hey, this is my first balloon snap! Here goes...

Camera:

I have been taking a lot of photos lately, so cameras have been on the brain. And there is always at least one guest at a party with a really nice camera (if not a professional photographer). It's amazing how much they connect with a balloon camera. Even making a simple figure that really captures the camera essence is always a crown pleaser!

My ingredients were:
1 clear 5" round
1 white 5" round
1 black 5" round
1 black 6" Q link
1 black 350
1 black 260
1 grey 160



Here are a couple of angles






And here is a mini version made with 260 in stead of 350, and added to a chihuahua on a hair band on the photographer....I rest my case!




Have fun!


-David Brenion
www.niftyballoons.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
#41
Competitions / Balloon Snap week 39
April 28, 2014, 01:54:46 AM
Thanks! I'll get to work :)


-David Brenion
www.niftyballoons.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
#42
Balloon Review / 028 - MASKS BY DAVID BRENION
April 27, 2014, 07:30:24 AM
Hey, that would make a good shrek! Nicely done :)


-David Brenion
www.niftyballoons.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
#43
Picture Gallery / A very big bunny !
April 26, 2014, 03:04:43 AM
Really cool!


-David Brenion
www.niftyballoons.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
#44
Picture Gallery / Shima Jiro
April 25, 2014, 10:51:35 PM
This is a photo taken 5 minutes after the first one. The difference? I put the balloon outside for a few minutes. It oxidized, and came back looking like a vinyl figurine. Neat!




-David Brenion
http://www.niftyballoons.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
#45
I think you really captured the posture!


-David Brenion
www.niftyballoons.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk