040 - COMMERCIAL BALLOONS VOL 1 BY MIKE STOKES

Started by nippy99, July 01, 2012, 11:24:15 PM

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nippy99

COMMERCIAL BALLOONS VOL 1 BY MIKE STOKES DVD

Available from http://www.playtimeballoons.co.uk/product.php?id=161 priced £15.25

Mike Stokes is well known in the UK for his association with Playtime Balloons. I have also seen him lecture at Kidology in the past. This DVD is called Commercial Balloons which are defined by Mike as "must be quick and easy to make with instant customer appeal" - so as with all my reviews, I judge the content based upon the claims made on the cover.

The DVD is fully indexed and is of very high quality. However, the camera work is a little dodgy as quite a lot happens below the bottom of the screen. The camera tilts on occasions but it is not always the best. Mike looks a little uncomfortable in front of the camera but explains each model clearly.

Let's see what is here...
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

FLYING MOUSE

KIT LIST : 260Q RED

Urm, yes I am not joking. The famous flying mouse balloon is certainly 'quick and easy' to make but 'commercial' I am not so sure. In fact, I would be bold enough to say that as a throw away joke item to children it is fine but I would be positively embarrassed to make this at any gig where I was being paid. Yes it is fun and the kids enjoy pulling the mouses tail shooting the mouse high in the air, but it doesn't work for me as a balloon artist. Strong words I know, but this sort of balloon doesn't really need a DVD tutorial.

And yes, I have taken a photo!

[attachment=0:x5jchyxu][/attachment]mouse.jpg[/attachment:x5jchyxu]
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

BUTTERFLY

KIT LIST : 260Q SPRING LILAC / 11" ROUND

This butterfly is very quick to make. A simple double loop with a 260Q and an 11" round with the top twisted for a head. Mike mounts his butterfly on top of a stick. A bit too basic for my liking but if you are new to balloon modelling then it would be a good place to start. Just to mention, Mike's hands dips below the camera and some footage of him twisting the 11" round is obscured from view. OK for me, but beginners may get frustrated.

[attachment=0:2drii0r4][/attachment]butterfly.jpg[/attachment:2drii0r4]
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

Snurb

I struggle to se that as a butterfly as I struggle to see the first one as a mouse. I think even beginners can find better than these for free. Sorry just my opinion.

nippy99

Hey Snurb - don't be sorry about expressing your opinion. I completely agree with you and can't wait to see what other gems are on this DVD.
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

Danny the Idiot

When was this first released?

It might give us a clue why these are called "commercial" balloons.

Thanks,

Danny
Danny Schlesinger
Balloon Excellence Award Winner
https://dannytheidiot.com
https://www.CircoRidiculoso.com
Follow me on Twitter at @danny_the_idiot

nippy99

HELICOPTER / AIRPLANE

KIT LIST : 6" RED HEART / 260Q WHITE / 260Q PALE BLUE

A simplistic helicopter made by twisting the lobe of a heart to make the body and attaching some wings and a tail rotor. I've seen better helicopters uses the same technique (see previous Twistina reviews). This model has been adapted to make an airplane by literally just adding pinch twists onto the ends of each wing.

A poor lazy example of an airplane - there are much better designs for free on this forum. I can't believe I am only on model number 3....

[attachment=0:2sexamox][/attachment]helicopter.jpg[/attachment:2sexamox]
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

Danny, released in 2009! Things must have been very different all those years ago  :P
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

Danny the Idiot

oh dear!   :o
Danny Schlesinger
Balloon Excellence Award Winner
https://dannytheidiot.com
https://www.CircoRidiculoso.com
Follow me on Twitter at @danny_the_idiot

Rhian

I think I met a balloon twister on Saturday who had only ever seen this DVD! Really awful quality and delivery, no patter or even smiles. He did that butterfly for me when I told him I was a twister and advised me to take it apart and see if I could figure it out! I was polite :)

nippy99

I've never had so much fun doing a review. I keep laughing out loud which really is very sad... three more made, but you can't wait to see them!
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

Lynnae

Quote from: "nippy99"three more made, but you can't wait to see them!

Oh, how I fear what's coming next.

Thanks, again, for your honest reviews!
http://www.savannahballoons.com
"Nobody can be uncheered by a balloon!" - Winnie the Pooh

nippy99

Won't be long - they are coming shortly....
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

DOLPHIN

KIT LIST : 260Q PALE BLUE / 260Q WHITE / 160Q PALE BLUE

This Dolphin is passable and would be good if made with one of those christmas stocking filler kits from Tesco. Mike uses those horrible pre-made eye stickers which I really do not like. It just cheapens the whole design in my opinion. The camera work for this next batch of models is disappointing as there are no close ups. Even though this DVD looks like it is for beginners any inexperienced twister will be lost at this point. I still couldn't bring myself to make it at a paid gig.

[attachment=0:33cu2b9p][/attachment]dolphin.jpg[/attachment:33cu2b9p]
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd

nippy99

SNAKE UP A TREE

KIT LIST : 260Q GREEN / 160Q RED / 260Q YELLOW

This is supposed to be a snake up a tree. How a plain long green balloon can pass as a tree is anyone's guess. Even a basic tree design would have been better. The snake eyes do not fit onto the snake's body and are held in place by the tongue being pinched through the loops of the green tree. This model won't last long in the hands of a child.

[attachment=0:lag2mnr5][/attachment]snake.jpg[/attachment:lag2mnr5]
Darren Atkins
MagicWorks Ltd


Twitter :
@magicworksltd