Balloon Chat
Uncategorized Boards => Topic/Discussion Of The Month => Topic started by: Danny the Idiot on December 27, 2008, 01:22:02 PM
Hi folks,
from the list and as its the begining of the new year - Getting started in Twisting and Balloon Modelling.
How do you start? What do you need? Obviously balloons and a pump! :roll: What else?
If your a little along the line what can you recomend to beginners?
What really helped you?
If your a beginner - what do you want to know?
cheers
Danny
Insurance is a must, never go out twisting/entertaining without it.
good point Graham. Public Liability Insurance (PLI) is a must and the cheapest and best I've found is through Equity.
here is a link to how to join!
//http://www.equity.org.uk/HowToJoin/default.aspx
The benefits are numerous and include £10 million PLI as well as legal help and advice on many topics including contracts.
Dont you still need contracts to proove you are a working entertainer to join equity?
Pam
You need decent proffessional marketing Material, and a polite friendy Telephone Manner.
Have your Prices and basic Telephone Script written down until you get used to taking the calls, and remember the last thing you tell them is the price and whether you're free for the date they want. 1, by telling the fee last you get to explain axactly what they get for their money before you tell tthem how much. 2, Once you've convinced them you're the person they want If you're already booked for the date/time they want, they may be more willing to move the party date / time so they can book you.
LEARN as much as you can from
DVDS
CDROM PDFS
BOOKS
SITES
JAMS
I try to get some thing new every month and try to us it when you work to keep things fresh. 8-)
In the members area club zone we're talking about provisional bookings, so my suggestion for those that may just be starting out in the twisting/entertaining field is to only take confirmed bookings as if you write a few provisional dates in the diary this will eventually lead you to loosing work.
I'm fairly new and starting out in the sense that I have a simple website and do a few gigs (some paid and some local community group stuff), although at present I am not really trying to establish twisting as a source of income I depend upon.
What I want to know from you experienced guys is generally what complexity of model you are making in a run-of-the-mill twisting situation (accepting that every gig is different :!:) and how long it takes you per model.
I have listed below 4 levels of balloon that I personally think suitable for a line twisting scenario, and the time it takes me to make them. What I would like to know is where experienced twisters pitch on this list, and how long it takes you for each level of model....
Level 0 (Very basic) e.g. sword, dog, flower (My time: 1 min)
Level 1 (Basic +) e.g teddy on a flower, heart wand (My time: 2-3 mins)
Level 2 (Intermediate) e.g Twisted Critters Hat, Thunder Thighs (My time:4-5 mins)
Level 3 (Complex) e.g. Ken Stillman Superhero (My time:10 mins)
I realise every twister/ gig/ client is different but any insights would be very gratefully appreciated.
Thanks,
Martin
http://www.balloonimals.com (http://www.balloonimals.com)
Hi Martin,
just to point out your website isn't up and running yet. I clicked on your link in your signature.
It would be good to have a holding page with you contact details on just incase someone is interested in booking you!!!
best wishes
Danny
Oh thanks Danny as you have just reminded me I haven't put up holding pages for my other sites yet :roll:
I am new to the business of twisting and some of the things that have been listed above are very helpful indeed.
One thing I would like to ask is with your websites do you only put up pics of stuff you actually do on jobs or is it all more impressive stuff or do you have a mixture of both?
Thanks Danny...
It would be even better if I gave you the correct link http://www.balloonimals.co.uk (http://www.balloonimals.co.uk)
Martin.
Quote from: "Martin"What I want to know from you experienced guys is generally what complexity of model you are making in a run-of-the-mill twisting situation (accepting that every gig is different :!:) and how long it takes you per model.
I have listed below 4 levels of balloon that I personally think suitable for a line twisting scenario, and the time it takes me to make them. What I would like to know is where experienced twisters pitch on this list, and how long it takes you for each level of model....
Level 0 (Very basic) e.g. sword, dog, flower (My time: 1 min)
Level 1 (Basic +) e.g teddy on a flower, heart wand (My time: 2-3 mins)
Level 2 (Intermediate) e.g Twisted Critters Hat, Thunder Thighs (My time:4-5 mins)
Level 3 (Complex) e.g. Ken Stillman Superhero (My time:10 mins)
I realise every twister/ gig/ client is different but any insights would be very gratefully appreciated.
Thanks,
Martin
http://www.balloonimals.com (http://www.balloonimals.com)
Martin,
You will find that while you are capable of making lots and lots of super designs, you will always be limited to a certain amount of time per person while working. When I first started twisting in public I was slower than a snail so that really limited what I could make in public. I had to pick designs that fit my speed level and not my skill level. As my speed increased, so did the quality of of the designs I used.
Even now I'm not the fastest of twisters and I really don't try to be. I figure I'm there to make something that each person will be happy getting and not to show how fast I can twist. While what I prefer to make would fall into your level 2 category even that can be a bit tricky when time becomes your enemy (little brothers show up to pick up their big brother from the party). For me one of the keys to making sure I'm making designs I'm proud to hand over is to find designs that are in your level 0 and level 1 categories that I am willing to make then supplement them into my level 2 category designs.
For instance: I just made a deer hat (which takes me around 5 minutes) but there are 2 boys waiting and the mom suddenly says they have to leave in about 5 minutes. I know I don't have time to make the other boys something similar so I make them Andrew McDonald's bow and arrow instead. (Andrew's bow and arrow takes about 2 mins.) Then I tell the last two boys to go hunting for deer. Everyone leaves happy, including the mom.
One of the other keys things I do is to use colors to my advantage. For instance: I was shown a 3 balloon ball back in 2005 (by the same guy who does the Tac weave). It's a very simple, quick ball (about 1.5 minutes) and the kids love playing with it but to highlight that it uses 3 balloons and make it seem even more valuable to the recipient, I always make it using 3 different colors.
I also use larger balloons to make category 0 designs. For instance: I take the 1 balloon teddy bear and make it with 2 - 360s instead. This puts it in your level 1 category when it comes to speed, but it also makes it an impressive figure to hand out along with your level 2 designs.
Hope this helps,
Bonnie, The Balloon Lady
P.S. I never make level 3 designs while working. Laval 3 and higher are the kind of designs I 'take' with me for the guest of honor.
Hi Martin,
How you work depends on what's happening at the time. Ideally you should be able to work at a nice steady pace doing levels 2-3 with occassional bursts of level 4 if you're not too busy.
However sometimes you can end up in Balloon machine mode, lots of kids, not too mucg time in which case you work at level 1 with the simplest balloons.
Being the balloon factory is the worse way to work because you don't have time to impress people so learning how to control the crowd is very important.
oH,Bonnie, you hit it with Andy's bow and arrow. I agree! Once you make the Bow and Arrow... everyone wants one.
I love bringing the receiver into the "kreation" part.... (Interactive ballooning - lol)
What I do is I have the "receiver" hold the tip of the arrow - telling them its to ensure it is going to be straight. Then when its all finished... I do .. is a "Quality Control" Check
and shoot one of the arrows... * :D *
Now, "EVERYONE" in the place - no matter where they are, sees this little thing flying through the air and wa la... everyone forgets about the other things on the list... and I start cranking out bows and arrows for them...
quick .... easy... and very FAST
i need a good Public Liability Insurance im not a member of equty do you know of any others
Tony
You can try this site it seems a good deal *Insurance* (//http://www.balloonmodeller.com/insuranceform.php)
I can't recomend joining equity enough.
from the website "an artist who usually does short term paid engagements or gigs (clubs, festivals, street, pubs, children's entertainment, cabaret, storytelling etc) you need to have evidence of four of these within the last 12 months, plus one forthcoming engagement"
The cost is about £110 for a year.
You get a lot more than just insurance.
Danny ;)
For those of you that have Equity membership / insurance could I just ask what kind of things you can get cover for? I know they would cover me for my face painting and balloons but would they cover me for the mini-makeover parties that I do and is there an option for employers liability insurance?
Hi Yvonne,
I think they do cover you for other activities you do relating to your performing work. So when I teach clown workshops I am covered too.
I'm not sure about employers liability cover. Check out their website for further info or give them a ring in the new year. They are very friendly and helpful as they are on our side.
Have a great 2009
Danny
Cheers Danny I think I will do that. Although to be fair my current insurance (through FACE) does not expire until April I think. Actually does anyone know if it covers equipment either?
Hi Yvonne
I think you will find your Face insurance covers you for balloons and your make overparties
Pam
Bonny et al,
Would you mind either posting a picture of the bow and arrow you mentioned or telling me where I can find instructions for it?
Thanks,
Martin.
Here you go Martin:
http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/db/comp ... 36731&pics (http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/db/complete.php?id=36731&pics)
I'm not sure if this link will work, but it's a pic of Andrew holding the bow and arrow:
http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/db/comp ... p?id=33689 (http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/db/complete.php?id=33689)
Thanks Bonnie!
I did a few of these yesterday... only challenge was the repeated requests for replacement arrows. :lol:
*Bump*
any other hints for beginners?
or questions from beginners?
:?:
Yes. Where do you buy round balloons from? Tesco do mixed bags (round and 5" sausages) at 2p each. The Internet suppliers seem to be charging three times that amount. Is there any difference?
Henry
Hi Henry,
I get mine from Up Up and Away, or Balloons To Go. I find that they have the right sizes of balloons I need and I can be fussy with the colours as they have the full range. I suspect that round balloons at Tesco would be inferior quality to Qualatex/Sempertex ones.
It depends what you use them for and in what quantity.
I hope this helps,
Danny 8-)
Kent Balloons are quite reasonable too and have a full range - the service is good too although their website is a bit basic it may be worth a look //http://www.kentballoons.com/
I am sure Graham supplies round balloons and if you are using sempertex twisting balloons they will match in colour.
The balloons that are sold in the shops maybe cheaper but they are usually of a lower quality latex so you will find they burst more on inflation (if you are planning on fillingthem with helium read the label the float time is always shorter) and the neck on the retail market balloons compared to decorator and entertainer balloons you will find a lot shorter ( as with some other cheaper balloons) - be careful you could rip your fingers to bits with them, trying to tie them.
Pam
It would be interesting to see a comparison test with the various balloons. One to test actual performance. Anyone know of such tests that have been done anywhere?
Henry
Getting started!!!
Wow what a big subject, I would recommend firstly there are no hard and fast rules, if you have just started to twist don't learn hundreds of different models start at the basic and get confident with twisting about 10 designs, try and make it to a "care and share" day, "Qjam" or meet up with a friendly local twister, don't get loads of DVDs, books and so on just find a good one for beginners only you know your best learning method. Don't be to hard on yourself we all have started somewhere.
what to buy? get some mixed bags if you can from another twister as your only using a small amount it will help them bring postage down and stop you paying full p&p. get a good 2 way hand pump, Graham sells a bag off 260s for £4.25 so don't pay more than that.
starting a business? again no rules just use your common sense, we all have made mistakes, life is for learning get out there and see what works, only then will you know where your business will go. write down a plan and potential Clint list, look at their needs, what can you offer?
As your company grows get some advice about small business, think about tax, make sure that the people that want you can find you.
My public Liability is with Tower gate £110 for 5 million but will be going to equity in Sept, if you don't have any be careful.
I get my balloons from Graham for Sempertex and Hiflyers for qualatex.
Love the bow and arrow 8-)
Hope this helps?
BTW please forgive typos got carried away :oops:
Quote from: "Dave"Graham sells a bag off 260s for £4.25 so don't pay more than that.
260's are £3.75 including P+P, not sure where you got the higher price from?
We have just put a minimum order on the site of £10.oo as we were getting a lot of orders for just one bag of balloons.
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk (http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk)
Sorry Graham, I read the price of metallics
A week left of this topic, any other thoughts or questions????
:?: