Balloon Chat
Uncategorized Boards => The "Star" Interview => Topic started by: Graham Lee on May 31, 2009, 04:02:33 PM
Jack has kindly agreed to give up some of his time to answer the questions this week on balloon chat and some from the Uk will probably be wondering.....................who's Jack :D
Well once you've seen his portfolio and see that he won twister of the year 2009 at twist and shout this year then you'll know who Jack is ;)
I met Jack for the first time at twist and shout and he's very dedicated and focused on his work, so please feel free to ask him some questions about his twisting life and his other job as a magician as I believe Jack still works in a magic shop in Southern California.
Portfolio details although be warned there are 34 pages of balloons and you will need some time to view everything; http://jackmagic1.balloonhq.com/ (http://jackmagic1.balloonhq.com/)
He also has a socal twisting group; http://www.socalballoonartists.com/about.html (http://www.socalballoonartists.com/about.html)
Hello all! First off I'd like to thank Graham for not only giving me the opportunity to say hello to all of you, but for making the time to provide this great place for us to gather. Thanks again Graham! I hope you dont mind I start this a bit early. Here are some answers to your questions......
1, What road led you into balloon modelling?
I started playing with magic about 11 years ago. As all magicians know, family members will no longer hire out a magician once there's one in the family. This made me think I should learn some balloon animals and led me to my first book by Marvin Hardy. Then I met Don and the rest is a blur....
2, when did you get started with balloons?
I twisted my first dog about nine years ago then really developed a passion for the art once I started paying attention to what Don Caldwell was doing with balloons.
3, What's your best twisting experience?
My first answer to this question was "winning the honor of Top Twister at Twist and Shout 09." Then I thought, even a BETTER experience has been the opportunity to meet all of you folks in the balloon community. Winning awards is great, but attending conventions and meeting new friends from around the world has been my best twisting experience by far!!
4, What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you during a ballooning/entertaining session?
A drunken grandmother demanded I put her grandchild in front of everyone. "Just make him a quick one." We all know that one.... After explaining I was just about done with my other group and her grandson was about to get the best balloon I could make him she yells out "he's an a-- h---, he doesnt like kids, lets go." Then proceeds to go to the group I was working with and tries to tell them what a blankity blank I am and how I dont like kids and such. This is a VERY mild version. The long version involves the grandmothers son and daughter yelling at me also. I was very hurt that night.....
5, What do you most enjoy about twisting & why?
What I like most about twisting is the reactions the art receives. There is nothing better than a stone face CEO putting on a giant balloon hat and acting like the character or thing he now looks like. I can tell a story of a couple who sent me an email telling me the kissing monkeys I made for them helped their marriage. Balloon artists have the ability to bring out emotion unlike any other entertainer. This on top of having the best friends in the world is what I enjoy most.
6, What's your favourite age to entertain?
Sorry kids! Children will like pretty much anything handed to them if presented right. Its the adults I love to entertain!!! Again, a child smiling is cute. However two adults running around chasing eachother with balloon hats on is priceless. I stopped counting the number of adults who at first thought the balloon guy was childish but were first to cut in line once they saw what we can do now days.
7, Do you have the same act but vary the presentation for all ages or do you have set acts for different ages?
If we are talking about a stage act I guess you can say what I do is the same act all the time. I never considered what I did to be anything but for a young audience until I was hired to perform the act for a dads Christmas party where no children would be attending. It was the best show Ive done yet. The only difference are the jokes and way I interact with the volunteers brought up on stage.
8, What's your favourite thing to make at the moment?
Smiles! Honestly my favorite thing to make is something I have never made before. I take every request I can very seriously. If they took the time to think of it, I probably should take the time to know it because it will most likely be asked for again.
9, What is the most asked for model?
As we all know if we ask "what can I make you", we are setting ourselves up for the old "I want a dog, a sword or a flower." I try to look at the child and imagine what they would like most so this question is a bit hard to answer. If a boy asks for a sword I will ask him why he wants a sword. I will ask him if its because he watches TV or does karate, etc etc. This will lead me to something else I can make for him besides the basic stuff. I can tell you though if I make my Minnie Mouse bracelet, Mickey or Dons lady bug/hula monkey, I will have to fight off the demands for duplications all night long. Most of the time I will not make these until the last ten minutes of a gig:)
10, What do you tend to do more of if stuck in the 'balloon production line' model?
I try as hard as I can not to get myself in to these situations. The balloon companies have given us so much new product to play with, unfortunately the pieces cannot be made quick enough to do in line situations. However I still try to apply the "Wow Factor" to even a one-balloon design. So no matter what, stuck in a line situation or at home with hours to work, I still try to make something never seen before by the public. Thanks to Don, I also use the idead of wands and prints.
11, Who is your market aimed at?
Adults and companies looking to show off to their clients by hiring someone and something different, new and exciting.
12, What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? Etc
Most of the events I get called for are birthday parties. I end up turning most of them down and refering others because I do not work outdoors. My most sought after gigs are company parties or events where I can dress people up in costumes.
Quote from: "jackmagic1"4, What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you during a ballooning/entertaining session?
A drunken grandmother demanded I put her grandchild in front of everyone. "Just make him a quick one." We all know that one.... After explaining I was just about done with my other group and her grandson was about to get the best balloon I could make him she yells out "he's an a-- h---, he doesnt like kids, lets go." Then proceeds to go to the group I was working with and tries to tell them what a blankity blank I am and how I dont like kids and such. This is a VERY mild version. The long version involves the grandmothers son and daughter yelling at me also. I was very hurt that night.....
So what do you do in a situation like this?? If you have a parent or guardian that's totally irrate & making a HUGE scene?
So what do you do in a situation like this?? If you have a parent or guardian that's totally irrate & making a HUGE scene?
This is a good question. Every situation is different but my goal is always the same. I will attempt to find someone else to take over the battle for me. When the grandmother was calling me names in front of the other group, I had already made them a cute cat. The girl with the cat told the grandmother to "go drink some more." I quickly slipped to the other side of the group and continued to make them happy. The one thing I suggest NOT doing is having any further conversation with someone getting this out of hand. Get out of there as quick as possible. Do not try to explain yourself or even make the person happy. If they must have a balloon, give them a blown up 260 and walk away. Obviously there will be no way to please this person. So again, I try to find someone else who has nothing to lose by taking my side.
13, What is your favourite/ideal gig to do?
I recently had the pleasure of working with the great Brian Asman who will be doing the next interview. Being able to hang out with such a great artist and having so much fun while learning is great. Doing all that AND calling it a gig is ideal!
14, What irritates you most at a gig?
Pushy parents. We all know the ones Im talking about....
15, How do you book yourself?
I book myself mostly through examples of my work and word of mouth. I will sometimes print out business cards from my computer but only ten at a time. I cant forget my friends in the area who also keep me busy. Thank you all!
16, What's the biggest thing you've ever made?
I dont think arches count... The biggest thing I have made in one sculpture by myself had to be the King Neptune piece I did at Twist and Shout 09. However this 4th of July, with some help, I will be building an 8x10x12' parade float which will be my biggest yet.
17, What has been your proudest achievement in our wonderful world of twisted latex?
Achieving awards, as well as the honor of Top Twister has made me very proud. However I will repeat myself, achieving the friendships and relationships in the balloon community towers over any personal achievement. For this I am most proud....
18, What advice would you give to someone starting out, or wanting to increase their business?
Practice and never stop collecting resources. Spending time on web sites like this is the best gift anyone wanting to venture in to the balloon community could receive. Conventions are life changing, but sites like these keep tabs on the conventions and provide the best resources as well as kind, sharing people. Don said it best. The one thing you must have in the art is passion. Passion to be the best should be the driving force to the cash flow, not marketing books and how to self help tapes. Those only make the person who wrote that information money. I can easily say I am a perfect example of what pure passion can lead to. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be chatting in a balloon forum in the UK! I never imagined any of this. However, because of it life has changed for the better and I wouldnt have it any other way...... :D
Jack, you are truly my inspiration. You always come up with the most amazing stuff. I am lucky to know you :-)
What inspires you, and where do you get your ideas from?
What inspires you, and where do you get your ideas from?
First of all, thank you Tonya! You are a great artist yourself and a major part of what inspires me. The friends I have gained throughout my time spent in the balloon community have been nothing but pure inspiration. I think as artists we can all agree that anything and everything can be inspiring. I have been inspired by everything from movies and cartoons or a picture to words spoken by someone passing by. The more resources a person aquires, the easier it is to come up with an idea because there is more information to work with. Im a big believer in collecting and using as many resources possible. Enough is never enough.... As you can tell from my portfolio, cartoons are probably the biggest inspiration to me when it comes to the style Im looking for. As for ideas, again, its usually something visual that pops a picture in to my head of what I want a balloon piece to look like. I Google a lot... Many of my most treasured designs came from a challenge or specific request by someone. Last but not least, again, websites like this and BHQ. Sites like these are a wealth of information and I cant thank the people who run them for us enough!!
Hi Jack and thanks for the very interesting answers so far, I look forward to reading more of your thoughts :D
My question for you is Who would you most like to make a model/sculpture for and why?
What would you make them?
Hello Professor T Wist! Thanks for taking the time to visit the interview. My question for you is Who would you most like to make a model/sculpture for and why? What would you make them?This also a good question that has me stumped at the moment. No one person comes to mind. Ive always wanted to introduce a Disney imagineer to the world of balloons and had the opportunity a couple of months ago. If I had to pick a single person to make a balloon creation for Id probably pick the highest hiring position at Disney I could find. Why? Because this person would be able to find a dream twisting position. What would I make? I would make a character of this person with Mickey ears, holding something cute...
Thanks again Professor!
Jack
Hi Jack,
thanks for doing the interview.
I have some questions for you!
Which do you use Qualatex, Bellatex (Sempertex) or other?
Whats your favourite balloon colour?
What or who makes you laugh?
That will do for the timebeing!
thanks,
Danny
Hello Danny, thanks for saying hello!
Which do you use Qualatex, Bellatex (Sempertex) or other?
Although I am open to using any piece of latex possible to make a good creation, I prefer to only use Pioneer/Qualatex. If I were a decorator I might see it the other way around. So again, I am open to using any company possible to make it look right, but Jack LOVES Qualatex!
Whats your favourite balloon colour?
Hmm, I never thought about that. It would have to be a mix between Mocha Brown, Lime Green, Rose, Goldenrod or Blush. I double up on these colors when I shop.....
What or who makes you laugh?
Lots of things make me laugh... The following is what makes me laugh most:
Tex Avery Cartoons
Three Stooges
Little Rascals
Laurel and Hardy
Benny Hill
Eddie Medrano
Don when he's doing his straight jacket or whoopie cushion routine
America's Funniest Home Videos
People gagging
A certain youtube video
Jack, I was wondering, do you have any plans on releasing any type of instructional material ie, CD, DVD, Book, anything?
A certain you tube video???
Would you like to share?
Quote from: "jackmagic1"A certain youtube video[/color]
Would you like to share?
Jack, I was wondering, do you have any plans on releasing any type of instructional material ie, CD, DVD, Book, anything?
Hi Tonya!! The answer to this question is yes! Patricia Bunnell and I have been working on a project for a while. The dvd will be called "You know Jack" and will deal with giant masks and costumes. I hope for it to be done by next year this time, maybe sooner. I am also working on a childrens book dealing with one-balloon designs. I have no clue when this will be finished let alone published. It took a long time for me to feel worthy of putting any type of instructional material out, but I think Im coming along. Thanks for the question Tonya!! ;)
19, What road in latex do you see yourself taking in the future?
The fun thing about the world of balloons is we never know whats around the corner. I see a lot of decortwisting in my future and the next goal on my list is to make it over to the Mellinnium Jam to meet all you folks in person.
20, What is your personal goal when you set off to work? Is it money or to entertain etc?
Money plays no roll in me being a balloon artist. When I set off to a gig (my real job is work, this is pure fun) the one common goal is to not only entertain, but to bring a form of entertainment to my guests they've never experienced before. I want to wow them so bad that they put on a special event just to hire me back and see what else I can do. Our job is to advertise for our clients or to bring extra smiles to any type of event. What we do is one of a kind and over the last couple of years has become more popular than ever! If done right, people will pay A LOT for it. I see a lot of people in many fields of work, not only entertainment, spend all their time trying to find work instead of practicing their craft and letting the work find or even demand them. I am a perfect example that it can be done this way. I spend 99% of my time and effort on my balloons and 1% on advertising myself. The person I thank for teaching me this is Don Caldwell. Thanks Don!
21, What are your balloon goals for the future?
Ever since I attended my first convention my goals have been to see where the balloon community could take me. The last couple of years have been very fun and I cant wait to see what the future has to bring. I think I said it before, but my next major goal is to attend the Mellinnium Jam. Even though I hate to fly I will brave it just to jam with all of you!! :shock: <Jack on an airplane
22, If you could start all over again, would you change anything?
Simple answer to this one... No.
23, How would you like the future of balloon modelling to develop?
Actually I think its developing very well. It would be fun to see big companies pick up on the conventions or project like Larry Moss puts together more. How fun would a "Worlds Balloon Fair" be???
24, Who's the most famous person you have made a balloon creation for?
Ive been very lucky in meeting "famous" people to make balloon art for. Two people I had the pleasure of meeting this year were Henry Winkler (The Fonze from Happy Days) and Jack Lallane, the fitness guru. Meeting Jack Lallane was very special, but Henry Winkler went CRAZY when I presented this to him. He stopped signing autographs and spent more than twenty minutes talking to me. Hope I get called for his next birthday party;) Here are some links to the photos...
http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/db/comp ... p?id=67873 (http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/db/complete.php?id=67873)
http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/db/comp ... p?id=68354 (http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/db/complete.php?id=68354)
25, How do you keep the enthusiasm going & what still excites you about our great world of latex?
I think the combination of the ability to be very creative, the friends, and the whole atmosphere of the balloon world is what keeps the enthusiasm going. The new world of decortwisting has played a major role in keeping me excited about what we do. Day after day I come across new techniques such as Sabinas new loop technique, or something with magic Don has come up with, or even a new friend on sites like these. Then I get to venture out in to the world and share the information with the world, at the same time creating tons of smiles. Not to mention getting paid to do it all;) How could any of this not be exciting??
26, What inspires or is your thought process in coming up with a new design?
I think I mentioned before that anything and everything can be inspiring. When coming up with a design I almost 100% of the time will base the design off something like a picture, statue, etc.. I will then close my eyes for a split second. During this moment a version of what I want the piece to look like will pop in to my head. This includes what techniques I want to use, the colors I want to use, and the size of the piece. Extra details and how the character is positioned usually come along as Im building the piece. When looking at a model, the first thing I look at is its shape. I then match balloon techniques to what I think will create the shape Im going for. The more resources we have to look back on the more creative we can get with our creations. Im sure lots of other balloon artists think this way but I thought Id share....
27, Who would you like to work with dead or alive?
Alive, the dead guy would make me do all the work....
28, What makes you laugh?
Lots of things make me laugh... The following is what makes me laugh most:
Tex Avery Cartoons
Three Stooges
Little Rascals
Laurel and Hardy
Benny Hill
Eddie Medrano
Don when he's doing his straight jacket or whoopie cushion routine
America's Funniest Home Videos
People gagging
A certain youtube video
Well folks, I thank you for taking the time to say hello! I cant wait for the opportunity to come to your part of the woods to jam and share ideas! I hope this will be sooner than later. If any of you would ever like to jam on skype my name is jacktheballoonandmagicguy. Thanks again, especially to Graham. Take care all!!!!!
Jack
Jack,
Thanks very much for taking the time to answer the questions so thoroughly; it was a very good read and interview :D