Balloon Chat
Uncategorized Boards => The "Star" Interview => Topic started by: Graham Lee on March 10, 2009, 11:23:11 PM
Don has agreed to do the interview for this week, as if we're both being honest ;) we are hoping it will wet your appetites to book for either his performance day in Banstead on Friday 29th May or his hands on lecture/workshop in Birmingham on Wed 3rd June.
So please fire away with any questions you may have for Don about the days or anything else balloon related.
Hi Don, nice to see you here.
I liked your bracelet workshop at TMJ a lot.
I use some of your ideas, except the horse you made for me :D
I think that one was nicer as a figure, not handy as a bracelet! :lol: :lol:
I hope I will be able to come and see you.
What kind of figures are you going to teach at the day in england?
(That question is for the english people)
And I heard you will come to holland also, what will you be teaching there?
(That one's for me! )
What's your most favorite figure you aver made, and why?
What do you think is the hardest figure to make and why?
Well that's it, for now...... ;)
Petra
Hi Don,
We met at TMJ! I'll be coming to your class in Birmingham, but I have an important question for you....
What would you like to see or do in London when your here?
What will you be doing in the performance day?
cheers
Danny :lol:
Hi Donald,
I also had the pleasure of attending ur classes at TMJ and having a shot of tequilla with you on your birthday,(you also gave me ur personal copy of vol 4 ) what i would really like to know is.....................
1) How is your daughter?? :P ( i owe you:)
2) Who or what inspires your new designs?
3) Who is your favourite balloon artist alive or dead & why
4) Do you care that there are so many "Caldwedians"
running around pretending to be you??? (speak for myself)
5) Can you make the class on 29 may the best one as i cant go to the one in June!!
Thanks
Normski
Will you sign my 'Ripleys Believe or Not' Book on the page you are on with your balloon wedding dress (not you in a dress, if you see what i mean) :D
Hi all! Thanks for having me in for the week.
Here is the first batch of answers from the standard Q & A...
What road led you into balloon modelling?
When I was 3 years old, I was obsessed with drawing, painting, and sculpting. I loved art! When I was 5, I saw my first
magic show and became obsessed with magic. When I was about 12, I became obsessed with comedy and what makes
people laugh.
When I was 18, I discovered balloon twisting. I realized that I had found my medium because it allowed me to combine
my other three passions. I was hooked.
When did you get started with balloons?
See above.
Whats your best twisting experience?
Several years ago I was lecturing at the JBAN event in Japan. Following my lecture, one of the attendees asked if he could
take some of the left over balloon creations.
Two years later I was aksed to teach at that same convention, and I met the gentleman who had asked for the balloons. He
had taken them to a local children's hospital to give to some of the patients. One of the children was a young boy with cancer.
He was nearly catatonic, and the doctors said he only had a few days left to live. When he was offered one of the balloons he
immediately went for a huge pig hat.
He wore that hat nearly nonstop for the next month. He not only survived for several weeks longer than the doctors had expected,
but he was also alert, cheerful, and talkative for most of that time. He told me that the boys mother wanted to thank me for the time
my hat had given her with her child.
What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you during a ballooning/entertaining session?
Several notable experiences dealing with angry drunk parents while line twisting at baseball games when I was younger. Despite the
repressed memories I learned a lot at those events. The therapy is helping.
What do you most enjoy about twisting & why?
The interaction. Whether it is during a stage show with a huge audience, or making a special creation for one person, the connection
that balloon twisting allows us to make with others always amazes me and makes me happy.
What's your favourite age to entertain?
I can't say that there is one particular age group that I enjoy most. I really love family audiences. It gives me the chance to use a variety
of different ages during my show to give it more texture. I also love that I get to create an experience that the entire family gets to share
and enjoy.
Do you have the same act but vary the presentation for all ages or do you have set acts for different ages?
Like I said, I like to play to audiences of varied ages, so the show tends to stay the same, but different parts are designed to play more to
certain ages. There are some moments especially for the younger kids, and some for the older kids, and a lot for the adults to make sure
that they stay engaged as well.
Whats your favourite thing to make at the moment?
My balloon dog, Spike.
What is the most asked for model?
The monkey, it's always the damn monkey. DAMN YOU MONKEY!
What do you tend to do more of if stuck in the 'balloon production line' model?
Curl up into the fetal position and sob uncontrollably until the line disperses. This may be why I don't get called for much line work.
Hi Petra,
I am glad you enjoyed the bracelets, even if you are not going to use the horse as intended ;)
What kind of figures are you going to teach at the day in england?
(That question is for the english people)
"The Best of Mad Hatz & Wild Wearables, featuring Don's (that's me) favorite, and most popular wearable creations. From the stupidly simple, to huge show stoppers, these are the pieces that Don (me again) uses in his every day work and the pieces that he counts on to always deliver. You will also learn Don's (still me) secret presentation tips for getting even more impact out of your sculptures. And yes, there will be a few sculptures that Don has not released before."
We have also added a workshop on performance. It will feature me performing my actual 45 minute family show, followed by a Q&A where we will dissect every element of it. I will also be teaching some other original material that is not currently in my show, including some close-up and sleight of hand routines.
And I heard you will come to holland also, what will you be teaching there?
(That one's for me! )
We have not worked out the Holland class details yet, but I plan to do mostly balloon hats and other wearables, some magic tricks, and spend about an hour or so on advanced balloon faces.
What's your most favorite figure you aver made, and why?
You can't ask a mother to choose between her children.
What do you think is the hardest figure to make and why?
Porcupines, they keep popping themselves.
Don,
As your coming over for "The David Grist Memorial Lecture" I was wondering if you had a funny story that you could share with everyone about David. Don't worry if it's not clean :D
Quote from: "Danny the Idiot"What would you like to see or do in London when your here?
What will you be doing in the performance day?
:
Hey Danny!
Actually, my favorite thing to do when I travel anywhere is to meet the natives and do what ever the locals do. I normally avoid tourist attractions (unless there is a good amusement park nearby). I also like catching local shows. I really love live entertainment.
As for the performance day, I am teaching everything. Nothing is held back. We will start with my actual family show in its entirety, and end with some closely guarded effects that I have not shared anywhere yet. Magic, comedy, show structure, routining, audience management, and if there is time, my grandmothers secret cookie recipe. This lecture is actually preparation for the filming of my next DVD which will contain all of my original balloon routines.
Can't wait to see you and the rest of the gang again!
11, Who is your market aimed at?
My marketing is geared primarily toward performing stage, or stand-up balloon shows for large family audiences. My secondary market is fancy balloon
twisting for private parties.
12, What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? Etc
Right now, it is performing my 45 minute family balloon show at schools, libraries, and community centers.
13, What is your favourite/ideal gig to do?
Stage shows, absolutely! When I began twisting, it was always for a line, and no matter how fast I twisted, or how long I stayed, it seemed that
someone was always disappointed. Now I get to spend 45 minutes making five balloon sculptures, for three hundred people and everyone has
a blast! As important as the balloons are to the show, it becomes more about the experience.
14, What irritates you most at a gig?
Pushy, or rude adults. I have all the patients in the world for kids, and even teenagers. But I have no time adults who are ill-mannered or
behave badly in front of their own children. That, and mariachi music.
15, How do you book yourself?
I stand by the side of the highway with a cardboard sign that says, "Will Twist for Food" and they just come to me.
When that fails, I rely on word of mouth and repeat bookings. I have worked very hard to create a unique style both as an artist, and an entertainer,
and really try to create a unique and magical experience for my audiences. I know I have done my job when the phone rings.
The same goes for my industry work. I have never made a DVD or taught a class just for the money. Everything that I have created has been because
I honestly believed in the material, and that others would find it useful. And fortunately for me they have.
I can always spot a performer who is in it for the money, and they always have to work much harder at the marketing and sales side than those who are
truly passionate about what they do.
I also find that showcases are great, because it gives potential clients who may not have otherwise had a chance to see you perform live do so. It also
allows you to target your marketing to specific groups. I perform at showcases for libraries and schools every year, and am now looking into showcases
for small theaters, which is where I hope to go next.
16, Whats the biggest thing you've ever made?
I have been fortunate enough to have been on the crew for all four Balloon Manors, and will be returning this year for number five.
http://BalloonManor.com (http://balloonmanor.com)
17, What has been your proudest achievement in our wonderful world of twisted latex?
Just the fact that other Balloon Twisters and Entertainers enjoy my work, and find my ramblings semi-useful. As far as our industry goes,
I cannot thing of any higher praise.
18, What advice would you give to someone starting out, or wanting to increase their business?
If you really want to be successful at anything, you need to be passionate about it. To really succeed as a balloon artist I think you
need to be passionate about not only learning and honing your art, but about people, and marketing as well.
Passion is what will push you to always keep studying and learning. Passion is what helps you endure the hard times. Passion is
separates the good, from the great.
19, What road in latex do you see yourself taking in the future
The one no one else has thought of yet.
Quote from: "fairby"Will you sign my 'Ripleys Believe or Not' Book on the page you are on with your balloon wedding dress (not you in a dress, if you see what i mean) :D
I would be honored to sign it for you, but I must warn you that the moment I sign anything the re-sale value drops drastically!
Hi Don, who would you most like to make a balloon model for and why? What woud you make them ?
Quote from: "Normski"Hi Donald,
I also had the pleasure of attending ur classes at TMJ and having a shot of tequilla with you on your birthday,(you also gave me ur personal copy of vol 4 ) what i would really like to know is.....................
1) How is your daughter?? :P ( i owe you:)
2) Who or what inspires your new designs?
3) Who is your favourite balloon artist alive or dead & why
4) Do you care that there are so many "Caldwedians"
running around pretending to be you??? (speak for myself)
5) Can you make the class on 29 may the best one as i cant go to the one in June!!
Thanks
Normski
Hola Normski!
1) She is great. Thanks for asking.
2) Mostly cartoons, as well as studying other artists. Michael Godard, Gris Grimley, Eric Pigor, Basil Gogos, Olivia, John K., Tex Avery, and Wyland just to name a few.
3) David Grist. His impact on this industry was, and continues to be astonishing, and the fact that he did it in such a short span of time makes it all the more amazing. Beyond his twisting skills, his humor, warmth, and sharing deeply touched all who met him. Truly one of a kind.
4) Harry Anderson said, "The only thing you ever really own, is what you eat. And even that is only a loan".
I am deeply flattered that so many people are inspired by my work. And the ones who really subscribe to my demented ramblings, also know how much emphasis I put on being unique, and being yourself. For me, the highest praise is seeing someone using one of my sculptures, or routines, or even marketing ideas, but doing it as themselves.
5) Yes, but don't tell the others.
I have to say I have not thought of any questions to ask Don, but I am loving reading this interview.
We may not be in the same league but we do have a very similar outlook on what we do in this industry, and it is refeshing to read.
Hope fully we will meet up when you are in the UK - I have diaried it.
In the meantime Please keep me smiling and laughing.
Kindest Regards
Pam
Quote from: "Professor T Wist"Hi Don, who would you most like to make a balloon model for and why? What woud you make them ?
Funny you should ask, I am going to be doing that very thing soon. Unfortunately I am sworn to secrecy on the project, at least for now ; )
What is your personal goal when you set off to work? Is it money or to entertain etc?
To entertain, and to create special moments and memories for my audience. I know that if I can do that, the money will always follow.
What are your balloon goals for the future?
I am in the process of building my small family show, into a full theater show, and creating a line of merchandise to sell after the show.
If you could start all over again, would you change anything?
I would have studied business and marketing much earlier, and I would have pursued performing as a full time career much earlier too. And that really hot girl who I was just friends with in high school, even though we both really liked each other, but I was too busy being the nice guy and comforting her when the jerks she dated broke her heart, I would totally make out with her.
How would you like the future of balloon modeling to develop?
I would like to see our art taken more seriously by the public and by other artists, and just a little less seriously by us.
Who's the most famous person you have made a balloon creation for?
I made Kermit the Frog for Brian Henson, son of Jim Henson and the head of "Jim Henson Studios". I also got to twist a Betty Page balloon for Olivia, the world renown pin-up artist, and a Mary Poppins balloon for the wife of one of the Sherman brothers who wrote the music for the film, as well as Winni the Pooh, and many other Disney classics.
How do you keep the enthusiasm going & what still excites you about our great world of latex?
I love the fact that there is always something new to play with. Balloon twisting and balloon entertainment are both so new in the grand scheme of things, that I cannot imagine them becoming stale or boring anytime soon. Especially when you look at magic, juggling, theater, painting, and sculpting, all centuries older than our art form, and yet they see new innovations all the time. It is very exciting. I really think we are still in our infancy.
What inspires or is your thought process in coming up with a new design?
A) I see something like a cartoon character or a toy and decide that I HAVE to try to make it out of balloons.
B) Every time I learn a new technique or find a new kind of balloon or accessory, I play with it, experiment with it to see what it is capable of, and usually discover several new sculptures in the process. Thelma Levett showed me two new techniques at Millenium Jam las year, and I spent the next 5 hours in the jam room playing with them.
Who would you like to work with dead or alive?
Alive.
What makes you laugh?
People who think they know, or have seen everything, and Sponge Bob.
Hi Don,
When are you going to Holland? At what event? So I can travel from Belgium with the speed of light to follow your class..I loved your classes at TMJ 2008. I met a legend! I'm not worthy.. :)
Quote from: "Buster Balloon"And that really hot girl who I was just friends with in high school, even though we both really liked each other, but I was too busy being the nice guy and comforting her when the jerks she dated broke her heart, I would totally make out with her.
Well there we we're, Danny and I having a coffee in the service station on the way back from the Leeds performance day and reading the above from Don and we both burst out laughing with everyone looking around at us :D :lol:
A great quote.
Quote from: "Pam Pearce"Hope fully we will meet up when you are in the UK - I have diaried it.
In the meantime Please keep me smiling and laughing.
Kindest Regards
Pam
That's what I'm here for.
When you set out to create the characters for Balloon Manor, did you have faces in mind or did you just make them up as you went along? (They all seem to have their own personalities.)
Do you still practice balloons at home?
Have you ever been attacked while inside a 6' balloon? ;)
I thought I'd have a million questions for you. Other than, "May I borrow your creativity for the day...", I'm at a loss. You are truly my favorite balloon artist. Thank you for all you've given me and the rest of the balloon world.
Hugs!
Marie
Hi Don,
I have some more questions for you that cannot wait until June.
Can you tell us about the Jeff McBride/balloons and magic classes? Will they be going ahead again?
When will you be writing some articles for BHQ (or even here!!)? - I found them very inspiring.
thanks,
Danny :ugeek:
HI Don,Great to see you on Balloonchat, the interview has been very intresting so far.
I would like to ask one question if I may.
Do you consider yourself to be only a twister, or do you ever do any decor work ????
such as centrpieces for large scale events. ??????????
If you do such work I am sure everyone would LOVE to see the pictures :twisted:
I look forward to seeing you in May
Colin
Well if Don does do decorating then perhaps we could put another workshop day in the schedule :lol:
Quote from: "colin myles"HI Don,Great to see you on Balloonchat, the interview has been very intresting so far.
I would like to ask one question if I may.
Do you consider yourself to be only a twister, or do you ever do any decor work ????
such as centrpieces for large scale events. ??????????
If you do such work I am sure everyone would LOVE to see the pictures :twisted:
I look forward to seeing you in May
Colin
NO, NO, NO, NO! I would never stoop so low as to do DECOR! (unless I was at Millennium Jam and a certain gorgeous blue eyed blond with a sexy english accent asked in that cooing way of hers that she knows I can't resist, and again at BACI... then I might come around). But you can't prove it!
By the way, how much would it cost to suppress such photos, if they did theoretically exist? :oops:
The truth is I personally find decor dreadfully boring to do. Just like traditional line work, all of that repetition drives me bonkers. Even weaving makes me a bit twitchy after a while.
Hi Don
Love your work and can't wait to meet you and take your class in May (have all the DVD's so far).
My question is .............. have you ever wanted to make something out of balloons but have not been able to get it right ...... your Achilles heel ???
Sharon a.k.a LollyPop
Quote from: "Parcival"Hi Don,
When are you going to Holland? At what event? So I can travel from Belgium with the speed of light to follow your class..I loved your classes at TMJ 2008. I met a legend! I'm not worthy.. :)
I will be lecturing in Holland on June 1st, but don't have any other details yet. I will keep you all posted once I know more about the venue and all.
Dennis & Ingrid are organising the workshop in Amsterdam, you could Pm him from the forum or his website is;
http://www.juggling.nl/shop/ (http://www.juggling.nl/shop/)
Quote from: "lollypopandpatch"Hi Don
Love your work and can't wait to meet you and take your class in May (have all the DVD's so far).
My question is .............. have you ever wanted to make something out of balloons but have not been able to get it right ...... your Achilles heel ???
Sharon a.k.a LollyPop
Not for the last 10 years or so. One of my early goals as a twister was to be able to make anything that anyone requested, and for a while I actually built my reputation on it. We would play "Stump The Balloon Guy" and I would offer a dollar to anyone who could. It broke up the monotony of line twisting, and it made me get really good really fast.
Quote from: "justmarie"When you set out to create the characters for Balloon Manor, did you have faces in mind or did you just make them up as you went along? (They all seem to have their own personalities.)
Do you still practice balloons at home?
Have you ever been attacked while inside a 6' balloon? ;)
Hugs!
Marie
1) Michelangelo said that he did not tell the stone what to be, but that it told him what it wanted to be. The balloons do the same thing. I usually start with very clear idea of what I want, but rather than force the balloon, I look at what it does on its own along the way. If a technique does not turn out the way I expected I just improvise, and that becomes part of the sculptures personality. There are no mistakes, just opportunities. In fact the adorable little squirrel on Mad Hatz Vol. 5, started out as an idea for making bosoms for female sculptures.
2) Sometimes, but I have to be really inspired. I tend to get bored, and easily distracted twisting alone. That is why I find balloon jams so useful. It is always much more fun to play with others.
3) Yes I have. Tell Sydney and The Loganator that I said Hi! ;)
Quote from: "Danny the Idiot"Hi Don,
Can you tell us about the Jeff McBride/balloons and magic classes? Will they be going ahead again?
When will you be writing some articles for BHQ (or even here!!)? - I found them very inspiring.
thanks,
Danny :ugeek:
The first rule of Balloon Master Class is that you do not talk about Balloon Master Class.
The second rule of Balloon Master Class is, You Do Not, Talk, About Balloon Master Class.
Actually, studying with Jeff really is a life altering experience. There are so many little things about performing that we don't think about or take for granted that Jeff is a Master of! I have never met anyone who knows how to control, and pump up an audience better, and during master class he holds nothing back. He and the other instructors are completely willing to share their lifetime of knowledge and experience.
The best part is the works in progress. Students have the chance to perform a piece, and then get constructive feed back on it from the instructors as well as the other students. And your piece, as well as the feedback, are recorded so you can study it later. You also learn an amazing amount by watching the other works in progress a listening to the instructors feedback on those.
We have done the Master Class for Balloon Twisters for four years in a row now, normally in January, but 2010 is still up in the air. Todd and I may take a year off to start new trouble somewhere else :twisted:
As for the BHQ articles, I really miss writing them, but being married and reinventing myself (the transition from Don Caldwell to Buster Balloon) has taken most all of my free time the last few years. But there will be some new projects coming soon that will focus more on marketing, branding, and performance like the old columns did. Stay tuned.
Don,
If latex wasn't your love then what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
When is your next DVD out and what will be on it?
Where can people purchase your new and old DVD's?
How do you store your balloons at home?
What is your setup for the balloons when out working?
Excluding yours, who's work do you admire and why?
Quote from: "Graham Lee"Don,
If latex wasn't your love then what do you think you'd have ended up doing?
When is your next DVD out and what will be on it?
Where can people purchase your new and old DVD's?
How do you store your balloons at home?
What is your setup for the balloons when out working?
Probably a magician, or something else to do with entertainment. I really do enjoy performing, especially for children.
No idea when the next DVD will be ready. I normally do one DVD each year, and it is released between August and November. But my next one promises to be a major undertaking that may take a while.
When it finally is done, you will be able to purchase it, along with with any of my other DVDs through Diamondstorm.com or any of their distributors :D
At home I have an entire walk in closet devoted to balloon storage, including a work table for loading balloon bags.
For my balloon set-up while out working, you will have to wait for The David Grist Lecture in June. I will tell you it is completely new, and quite evil, and every performer who has seen it so far has been blown away by it. :twisted:
Don,
Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions for the members of the forum and all the lurkers :D
Looking forward to you coming over for the workshops, if anyone wishes to get some more info on them or to book;
http://sempertexballoons.co.uk/index.ph ... nt=12&pg=1 (http://sempertexballoons.co.uk/index.php?p=catalog&parent=12&pg=1)
Quote from: "Graham Lee"Don,
Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions for the members of the forum and all the lurkers :D
Looking forward to you coming over for the workshops, if anyone wishes to get some more info on them or to book;
http://sempertexballoons.co.uk/index.ph ... nt=12&pg=1 (http://sempertexballoons.co.uk/index.php?p=catalog&parent=12&pg=1)
It was my pleasure. I can't wait to see everyone this Summer!