Darren Interview, 7/14th June

Started by Graham Lee, June 05, 2010, 11:26:41 AM

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Graham Lee

Darren has agreed to answer the questions next week for us on the forum, his website is; http://www.razzledazzleballoons.co.uk/

And while I was looking around his site I noticed he has a link back to the forum  :D
If anyone else has a links page or could add a links page and add the forum that would be nice.
"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

Darren

#1
Hey all,

I would appreciate and critical comments of my website as it is very new and in need of a major overhaul.

Here I go with my questions and please bear with me as I am only a baby in this industry.

Cheers

Darren
\'If I grow up, I want to be like you!\'

Darren

#2
1, What road led you into balloon modelling?

Well, I left work due to health probems and became a stay at home dad. (Very Moden) So off I popped to get some shopping and came across some little cheap modelling balloons and thought, 'hey why not for a laugh'. Thats when it all started. I ended up throwing the little book away and trying to find some videos on youtube. Next, a quick trip to my local party store where I found some (overpriced) modelling balloons which were alot better. Thats when I became hooked and seeing as my wife hates balloons in general, I was not the most popular person in my house.

2, when did you get started with balloons?

I think I have answered this above but to follow on. I then found a nice gentleman called........ let me think........... errrr............ Graham Lee I think ;) and he introduced me to this site. Thats when this latex world swallowed me whole. I started to become quite good in my eyes and did a few things for my daughters schools and nursery and thats when I got asked if I did parties. Then out popped Razzle Dazzle Balloons.

3, What's your best twisting experience?

I love to do fayres and fetes. to have children running up to you and crowds gathering I think is great. The colours of the balloons and the creations just amaze so many people from 2 to 102. I love a challenge and then to have people watching as you come up with something you have never done is great. Real pressure.

4, What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you during a ballooning/entertaining session?

I was doing a gig and helping out bringing some attention to an Air Training Corps stand that I was next to. Loads of kids and a real fun day. Then disaster, somehow whilst blowing up a balloon by mouth I managed to pull a muscle in my cheek. Luckily it got plenty of laughs, not from me and I went straight back to trusty Mr. Pump. So off I went again making some models and another disaster. Cramp and my thumb. Trouble was, it locked into a position and would not move. That was it, I had to stop. Luckily there was only about 30 mins left but whilst everyone was laughing I was in pain.

5, What do you most enjoy about twisting & why?

I like it when you are allowed to make a model and the receiving child/adult doesn't know what it is. I love the guesses sometimes. Luckily at the end of the model they get the answer right and I don't have to tel them but the look of concentration on their faces is great and then suprise at the end.
\'If I grow up, I want to be like you!\'

Graham Lee

#3
Could the name razzle dazzle fit across the whole of the top from side to side? It also looks on the dark side, just brighten up the header may sort this out with the yellow you have on the rest of the site.
"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

Darren

#4
6, What's your favourite age to entertain?

Everyone really. I like the eleation on a childs face but I think that when the adults join in it becomes much more fun. The banter is great and they are happy that they are being acknowledged as well.

7, Do you have the same act but vary the presentation for all ages or do you have set acts for different ages?

I don't have an act as such. Not came up with one yet as I like doing events as everytime it is different.

8, What's your favourite thing to make at the moment?

I like making a car along the same style as Lightning McQueen from cars and the girls like princess wands of big butterfly wings.

9, What is the most asked for model?

Alot of children ask for a dog or a sword and I try to steer them away from this and come up with other suggestions and they usual change thier mind.

10, What do you tend to do more of if stuck in the 'balloon production line' model?

The cars and the princess wands really. its something that if 20 children have them then they usually have different colours so it doesn't look too repetitive.

11, Who is your market aimed at?

Everyone. Balloons are great as they don't have age limits attached to them. Apart from under 3

12, What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? Etc

Fayres and fetes and events really at the moment and try to get some parties from them but they are good fun.

13, What is your favourite/ideal gig to do?

same as above. I like being able to wander and cheer bored kids up. The parents look happy when they see thier kids smiling.

14, What irritates you most at a gig?

Teenagers that think they can jump in front of a younger child. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

15, How do you book yourself?

I look on event websites and then contact the event holders and offer my services. Not all come back positive but most do.

16, What's the biggest thing you've ever made?

When I first started I made a big monkey in a tree but I have also made a large pirate and a large Ben 10.

17, What has been your proudest achievement in our wonderful world of twisted latex?

I won a competition at the Banstead Care and Share day and I was so chuffed. I had not been doing this much and it was my first care and share day and I realy enjoyed it and winning topped it off.
\'If I grow up, I want to be like you!\'

Graham Lee

#5
Have you got pictures Darren of the pirate and Ben 10?
"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

Danny the Idiot

#6
Hi Darren,

I've emailed you about the website!

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

Danny the Idiot

#7
Some more questions!

Qualatex or Sempertex? And why!

Whats your favourite colour?

Favourite shape/size balloon?

Are you coming to the Birmingham C & S day at the end of the month?


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

Fuzzy

#8
Hi Darren,

I have emailed you with comments.

Here's a tip which my benefit others as well...

You have razzledazzleballoons.co.uk/id4.html

Change the id2 to something more meaningful as it will help in your ranking.

Example:
razzledazzleballoons.co.uk/Balloon_Gallery.html

Fuzz

Darren

#9
Cheers for all the tips guys.

I will be amending my site soon and get it all up to date. I have neglected it slightly and i'm very annoyed at myself.

As for the other questions, here goes.......

Qualatex or Sempertex? And why!

Well that first bag of balloons I bought were qualatex and I was getting thru them very quickly. Too quickly in fact. And then I came to the care and share day and bought several bags of Sempertex and I found them more user friendly for myself and easily sourced through Graham. I am quite rough with balloons and I think thats from my engineering background so they suit me fine.

Whats your favourite colour?

My favourite colour changes quite regularly and it depends on what i'm making. I do really like MANGO at the moment bt only last week it was RED.

Favourite shape/size balloon?

I love messing about with 660's. Just the reaction you get from people when you inflate it and the same for 160's making the model much smaler.

Are you coming to the Birmingham C & S day at the end of the month?

I wish I could. We have to move house and unfortunately i'm not going to be able to attend this event. SORRY. I am gutted.

I kick myself whenever I finish a fayre or fete because I never take photo's and thats where some of my favourite things come from. Just last Sunday I had a strange request for a cactus in a pot. I laughed at first thinking the quy was joking but he wasn't so that was it. With me and the crowd around me I asked them to be patient and I would do it. I was so pleased with the final model, but yes, I forgot my camera to take a pic. Its not in my balloon bag and it will be with me from now on.

Any more questions. I'm really enjoying this.

Cheers Darren
\'If I grow up, I want to be like you!\'

Darren

#10
Sorry Folks,

Just realsised I haven't done all the quetions, .........................

18, What advice would you give to someone starting out, or wanting to increase their business?

Take your time realy. I rushed into it and have some regrets and i'm sure the wife does as well.

19, What road in latex do you see yourself taking in the future

I would just like to carry on entertaining. When I stop entertaining people I will have to have a good hard look at myself


20, What is your personal goal when you set off to work? Is it money or to entertain etc?

I have to say both. I know that it should be all about entertaining but in this climate we all need money.

21, What are your balloon goals for the future?

Keeping up with the newest designs and making new more exciting models

22, If you could start all over again, would you change anything?

As I said before, TIME. I rushed at first so that didn't help.

23, How would you like the future of balloon modelling to develop?

I would like more people to realise that it is an artform and not just something that clowns do. Everyone asks if I dress as a clown and I just reply, 'Does every singer dress like elvis?'

24, Who's the most famous person you have made a balloon creation for?

No one famous but if I could, I would like to make a model for the England Team. I have a huge passion for football and I am very patriotic.

25, How do you keep the enthusiasm going & what still excites you about our great world of latex

As long as I get good reactions from people that I am entertaining then, that will keep me going

26, What inspires or is your thought process in coming up with a new design

I like to look at pictures of many things and then try to represent them in balloon form or even just putting a slight change into a model I have seen and make it my own.

27, Who would you like to work with dead or alive?

I think that James Corden would be a great laugh to work with. I think he would have fun doing so as well.

28, What makes you laugh?

Children in general. Some of the little innocent things that come from there mouths is great.


Right thanks guys,

Darren
\'If I grow up, I want to be like you!\'

Graham Lee

#11
Quote from: "Darren"'Does every singer dress like elvis?'
Great answer  :)
"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

Graham Lee

#12
Darren thanks for taking the time out to answer the questions for everyone  :)
"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