Mark Byrne Interview 21/27th April

Started by Graham Lee, April 06, 2008, 04:14:33 PM

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Graham Lee

Mark Byrne has kindly decided to put his head in the line of fire so that we can ask him some questions,
just sorting out a good time for him to join us. In the meantime his details are,
http://balloonguy.net/
His DVD Bad to the Balloon vol 1 is excellent with loads of good & usuable models.

Graham Lee

Mark "the Balloon Guy" Byrne

Mark "the Balloon Guy" Byrne was named "Most Original Performer" by International Brotherhood of Magicians. See why 1500 of his peers gave him this honor! He is one of Florida's most award winning magician. Most recently placing 2nd at Diamond Jam 2008 in the International Stage Competition. Mark is also a world class balloon twister, not your ordinary poodle and sword guy, he is "The Balloon Guy". He has traveled as far as Shanghai, Puerto Vallarta, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Nassau, Seattle, Dallas, New York, & Miami with unique style of comedy, magic & balloons. Performing on comedy club stages, international clown festivals, numerous tradeshows, conventions, weekly restaurants and yes, even little Billy Tucker's 4th birthday party.

His best creations are Outrageous hats that bring out people's inner child. His DVDs, Bad to the Balloon series Issue #1 (Poolside Favorites) & #2 (Animal House) have sold all over the world from Singapore to New Zealand. Currently over 15,000 hits on youtube.com with the song parody of "Bad to the Balloon" and short Dark Comedy Melodrama "Dog Gone". Marks future plans are building his own restaurant chain and world domination.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

cashmagic

#1
Don't forget his 2nd dvd is not bad to
life is full of twist and turns i just twist it first !!!
http://www.twistandmake.co.uk

Dave

#2
Hi Mark thank you for agreeing to take part, I love bad to the balloon 1 & 2 I use the monkey most times now.
How long have you been twisting & and what got you started?
Also what advice would you give to someone just starting out or wanting to increase their business?
A load of hot air
http://www.davehickory.co.uk

Professor T Wist

#3
Hi Mark.
What is your favourite model to make and why ?

bickers

#4
Hi Mark - thanks for the interview.

Do you prefer making smaller or larger models and do you use weaving much?

What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? etc

Danny the Idiot

#5
Hi Mark,

Welcome !

When are you coming over to Europe so I can buy you those beers?
When is BTTB3 coming out?

Thanks
danny the idiot (we have conversed through the Magic Cafe)
Danny Schlesinger
Balloon Excellence Award Winner
https://dannytheidiot.com
https://www.CircoRidiculoso.com
Follow me on Twitter at @danny_the_idiot

Bad to the Balloon

#6
"Hi Mark thank you for agreeing to take part, I love bad to the balloon 1 & 2 I use the monkey most times now.
How long have you been twisting & and what got you started?
Also what advice would you give to someone just starting out or wanting to increase their business?"


Thank you to all for such a welcoming response! My kids thank you for buying Daddy's DVDs!!

Gosh it seems so foggy.... I think I was 28 years old before I picked up my first balloon. I was working as a bartender at a beach bar. I would go to the local magic store and buy tricks to entertain the clientele. The owner of the shop became my mentor. "Windy" Russell Douton and his wife Sunny (Windy & Sunny ... get it?) Windy held some of the first Guinness Book of records on balloon animals. Most in four hours, most in a minute and quickest balloon animal 3e second dog!

That would make 22 years of twisting for me!! For many years I pride myself on being able to make any animal out of one balloon. Then I went to a T Meyers lecture at Southeastern Clown Association was opened up the wonder of balloon hats. the hats opened a brand new world of possibilities. I have an art background. I went to Parson's School of Art & Design in New York City.

The best advice for increasing your business is to be seen. That is why I do restaurants. I have the opportunity to meet and demonstrate my ability at least 5 times per week.

If your just starting out, I would suggest going to a major event like Twist & Shout, Diamond Jam or Millennium Jam. there is nothing like emerging yourself into an art. I did the same thing when I was was in NYC. I went to every museum I could. If you can't afford that BalloonHQ or Balloonchat are awesome resources. View photos, chat with others. Then again I think my DVDs are quite the bargain too!!! : )
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy
Tampa Bay\'s The"Original" Balloon Guy for over 20 years
"Bad to the Balloon"
http://www.balloonguy.net
http://www.youtube.com/theballoonguy
http://www.myspace.com/markballoonguy

Bad to the Balloon

#7
Quote from: "cashmagic"Don't forget his 2nd dvd is not bad to


Thank you Cashy!!
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy
Tampa Bay\'s The"Original" Balloon Guy for over 20 years
"Bad to the Balloon"
http://www.balloonguy.net
http://www.youtube.com/theballoonguy
http://www.myspace.com/markballoonguy

Bad to the Balloon

#8
thank you Graham for such a warm welcome.
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy
Tampa Bay\'s The"Original" Balloon Guy for over 20 years
"Bad to the Balloon"
http://www.balloonguy.net
http://www.youtube.com/theballoonguy
http://www.myspace.com/markballoonguy

Bad to the Balloon

#9
Quote from: "Professor T Wist"Hi Mark.
What is your favourite model to make and why ?

Wow I really got in trouble for answering this on on BalloonHQ!!!

My answer was my wife!!! Silly Americans all got into a huff about it. BTW if you all don't know it.... my parents are English born and I was made in England, but born in America.

Yes I have been there several times and have alot of family in the UK. I just haven't been there in 20 years.

Favorite model that was the real question wasn't it? My Dragon is simple yet has a very distinct look. I believe It is the first sculpture on a DVD to use the Lasso twist. Also I am pretty proud of the Dolphin hat too. Simple yet very dynamic sculpture.

funny thing about the dolphin hat ... an friend of mine Stevie Dee of Sarasota had the basic structure of the hat and didn't know what to do with it. He called it a Virgin Detector and had two poke thru balloons coming out the front. I suggested he turn it around and turn it into a fish instead. He said Nawww....
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy
Tampa Bay\'s The"Original" Balloon Guy for over 20 years
"Bad to the Balloon"
http://www.balloonguy.net
http://www.youtube.com/theballoonguy
http://www.myspace.com/markballoonguy

Bad to the Balloon

#10
Quote from: "bickers"Hi Mark - thanks for the interview.

Do you prefer making smaller or larger models and do you use weaving much?

What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? etc

I like to work fast a part of my entertainment factor. My hats are usually 2 minutes or less to create occasionally I will stretch it to 5 minutes, but it is rare.

I like to capture the essences of the sculpture, my inspirations comes from children's swim rings ... let me explain. In the States we have many character licenses for cartoons and figures often the cartoon du-jour is made into a child's swim ring.

Example my Elephant is only the nose, ears and eyes. The Horse is a head and tail only. The Motorcycle is the front wheel and handle bars... get it? :?

I do mostly hats ... my reasoning is this. I don't have to fix them often. A small sculpture will be torn apart by a child seconds after receiving it, however a hat is clothing and most of us are taught to respect our clothes. also if a balloon pops I will usually ask if it was on their head or not. Most times not. Well if you wore it it won't pop.

Hats make an event!!! nothing like going to an event and everyone is wearing silly hats. It adds color and motion to the festivities.

Recently I started doing more weaving. Mainly because of my trip to Shanghai, China. We put on the first Balloon Fashion Show in Shanghai.

You can see my recent dresses here: http://markbyrne.balloonhq.com/ :shock:

As to the type of work I do ... I have multiple disciplines, I am a magician specializing in Close-up and stage. I do Strolling and stage balloon shows. One program we created is a story show for schools called "Inflatable Fables" we tell Aesop fables (modified) and use the words of character the school system wants told. I do this with a comedian friend of mine, Lou Anglewolf. I did Stand-up comedy for over 9 years as a traveling comic.

I bill myself as a corporate and family entertainer.... I never call my self a children's entertainer .... it brings down your price :o i do many private parties, corporate events, festivals, and restaurants. Schools, daycares, old folk homes, grand openings, weddings and even a funeral and a Bris. I have a pretty tight set for Birthday parties.
http://web.mac.com/markballoonguy/Ballo ... Shows.html
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy
Tampa Bay\'s The"Original" Balloon Guy for over 20 years
"Bad to the Balloon"
http://www.balloonguy.net
http://www.youtube.com/theballoonguy
http://www.myspace.com/markballoonguy

Bad to the Balloon

#11
Quote from: "Danny the Idiot"Hi Mark,

Welcome !

When are you coming over to Europe so I can buy you those beers?
When is BTTB3 coming out?

Thanks
danny the idiot (we have conversed through the Magic Cafe)


Hello Danny!!

Still trying to figure a way to get over there..... maybe if someone would sponsor my tour????
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy
Tampa Bay\'s The"Original" Balloon Guy for over 20 years
"Bad to the Balloon"
http://www.balloonguy.net
http://www.youtube.com/theballoonguy
http://www.myspace.com/markballoonguy

Dave

#12
So what has been your best and worst moments in twisting?
A load of hot air
http://www.davehickory.co.uk

cashmagic

#13
Hello mark nice to see you here will you be staying around after the 27th? we are a nice bunch

and who do you admire in ballooning
life is full of twist and turns i just twist it first !!!
http://www.twistandmake.co.uk

Graham Lee

#14
Mark,
After all these years of entertaining & twisting with balloons :lol:
What still excites you about our great world of latex :?:

Graham Lee
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk