Mark Byrne Interview 21/27th April

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

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Bad to the Balloon

#15
Quote from: "Dave"So what has been your best and worst moments in twisting?

Some of my best moments:

Working in China, Being part of the balloon Fashion show, teaching at Twist & Shout, winning 2nd place at Diamond Jam, seeing my daughters take and interest in what I do & them twisting their first balloons, having my daughter Sabrina show ME a new technique.

Worst moments:

Making a balloon motorcycle for a 10 year old boy who died of cancer ( I had to set it up at the funeral), Being threatened by jerks who don't understand the line is over, losing all my  restaurants but one on 9/11, getting snapped in the eye with a balloon.
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

#16
Quote from: "cashmagic"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

I may hang out for a bit..... I currently am a regular poster on BHQ, The Magic Cafe, now if I can just figure out how to get my avatar on here!!

Who do I admire?
Michael Gjerek, Niko Fric, Rie Hosokai, no idea who these people are but I love there work: http://balloon-rio.or.tv/baofan/bmltop/bmltop.html, There are many more, but I try to look at the creativity of each of these artists. I find these ones some of the most creative and unusual
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

#17
Quote from: "Graham Lee"Mark,
After all these years of entertaining & twisting with balloons :lol:
What still excites you about our great world of latex :?:

Graham Lee

What excites me lately is the ability to teach. I have done fairly well for a guy with a great set of lungs and a handful of balloons. Now I can share my knowledge with others. I see there is a gap in the the hobbyist and the professional, I hope to be able to close that gap some.

This same gap is in the magic world too.

Some of the new products and colors are fun. I like the new 321's quite a bit. At World Clown Convention in Orlando I presented my new lecture on imprint balloons called "Impressive Imprints". Imprints are a neat way to speed your line along. By using them you cut the need to draw on balloons.

I am looking to incorporate more balloons into my magic show too. I really like the "alternate reality" angle with balloons, in other words making realistic objects out of balloons and putting them in ordinary situations.

IDEA: Imagine a milk in light-bulb types of trick except instead it is a Fluorescent light tube that is lit. you remove it and twist it into something.
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

Danny the Idiot

#18
Mark how a you getting on with BTTB3?

Is it going to be the same format as the other two?

Have you started filming?

Edited?

Launch date?

Can I buy one now?

Danny
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

#19
Quote from: "Danny the Idiot"Mark how a you getting on with BTTB3?

Is it going to be the same format as the other two?

Have you started filming?

Edited?

Launch date?

Can I buy one now?

Danny

BTTB#3 (((Sigh)))
I am at a cross roads with this ... many have asked for it. However I am currently sitting on 400 units of #1. I really need to turn over. I am almost out of #2 stock because we self produced those units. We found it cheaper to buy a print and burn unit.

My producer is not happy with me lately. I over promised what I thought was going to be slam out of the park sales of DVDs. My first disappointment was T&S in Nashville. I expected to sell 300 we sold 35.

My main problem is funding. I need to pay off my producer and own the rights to my own DVD.

#3 is 75% done and ready, but my producer is not motivated to finish it. We have a days shooting left to do. The other problem I face is continuity..... I lost 40 lbs since I filmed the last time. How do I explain the incredible shrinking man?

I would like to keep the format the same. BTTB is my moniker. Unlike other DVDs I like to create a strong brand recognition. My goal is to have at least 5-6 DVDs with the Bad to the balloon name with subtitles "poolside favorites" "Animal house"

Working title for #3 is "Holiday edition"

I am wary of doing a presale till I have a better grip on financing. I actually called a movie company to see if they would bankroll me... no word yet.

I am also considering an other producer and doing "The Balloon Guy Reloaded" We will see...
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

#20
I have a question for all of you!!!

What is your biggest challenges with ballooning?

Carrying your load?

Unusual requests?

Audience management?
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

Smiggle

#21
For me it's unusual requests - although as I gain experience I'm more willing to accept a challenge and usually I can turn the attempt into a bit of a mini-show... will he? won't he? which version looks the most like a Martian dolphin?
C\'mon Let\'s twist again...

Dave

#22
Marketing! and sometimes the unusual requests, ie: can I have my money back lol.
A load of hot air
http://www.davehickory.co.uk

Graham Lee

#23
Quote from: "Bad to the Balloon"I have a question for all of you!!!

Ha Ha I see a cunning plan, you want to Interview us now :lol:

My biggest challenge which I dont take up is when I'm asked to make something that I've not made before.
Two things;
1, It slows you down if busy having to work it out.
2, I cant entertain & make something new all at once. Mind you I struggle to make something new at the best of times, let alone when the audiance are all eye's watching me.

The prototype always looks better when it's been made a few more times.
Mind you then it's not the prototype :)
Hopefully with all the choice they have I can keep them happy.
I always feel envious of those that come with a graphic design background as yourself into the modelling world.

On a side note what are your thoughts on Kevin Larson & the talk on Balloon hq.
Has he employed you for his event? Are you happy with him using your pictures.

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

cashmagic

#24
Quote from: "Bad to the Balloon"I have a question for all of you!!!

What is your biggest challenges with ballooning?

Carrying your load?

Unusual requests?

Audience management?

Q1 = Finding new stuff and getting out there trying to get new work

Q2 = I carry my balloons in a case see pic this works well for me it can carry over 2000 balloons and last me all day on hot days i can put ice packs over it to keep them cool

Q3 = If i cant do it i say i havent got them balloons or if i have time i will give it a go but tell them its the first time making it

Q4 = I tell them to shut up get in line and smile  :lol:

life is full of twist and turns i just twist it first !!!
http://www.twistandmake.co.uk

Bad to the Balloon

#25
Quote from: "Smiggle"For me it's unusual requests - although as I gain experience I'm more willing to accept a challenge and usually I can turn the attempt into a bit of a mini-show... will he? won't he? which version looks the most like a Martian dolphin?

For me when challenged by unusual request I tackle it one of two ways. By Shape and humor.

The example of a martin dolphin ... that would be easy. Think Marvin the Martian's dog K-9, he is green. Hence a green dolphin... maybe a pair of antennas too. :mrgreen: There is a dolphin on Bad to the balloon number one. two balloons only!!

A humor example is this: Hedgehog!!  I make a green square and insert a pink pig into the hole of the square, walla HEDGE-hog. Another popular weird request Eiffel tower .... I make the tower hat (BTTB#1) and add an eye ball print to the top EYEful tower!!

Humor can be broken down many ways. A malapropism is the incorrect use of a word by substituting a similar-sounding word with different meaning. say you have group of adults asking for balloons and someone asks for Betty Boop. (No kids around!) I'll make a pair of boobs on a hat. Oh I thought you said betty's boobs!

Using shapes ... think of what the object is and use your existing knowledge of shape to render the figure. Example if a kid asks for a snowman well it is three balls of varied sizes. Make three lootle style heads and stack them. run a stick up the middle to join them.
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

#26
Quote from: "Dave"Marketing! and sometimes the unusual requests, ie: can I have my money back lol.

My greatest marketing tool is my restaurant work. I don't know the UK market and my cousin are constantly telling me no-one goes out to eat in England, because it is too expensive. then again my family might just be peasants!! (Monte Python type)

Here in the states the trend is that the average american family eats out 3-4 times a week. a more recent poll says it is more "green" to eat out rather than cook your own food. Well that is some spin.

Here I have a large tourist market, but I also do "regular local" restaurants too. Restaurants create a buzz for your work. Also people who can afford your services are usually too busy to cook. they have disposable income.

Restaurants are a great place to be bad. (Michael Ammar term) which means a way to work your material.

Currently I have 5 engagements per week... I have had as many as 11 per week. Before you ask 7 nights a week, a Saturday & sunday morning restaurant and two floater days that I would alternate with other twisters (my wife and friends). I really don't want to work that hard any more, but time wise it was only 27 hours per week.... where can you get a real job that pays that well. (about $30 - $70 per hour including tips)

In my lecture you want fries with that I use a powerpoint presentation to illustrate this concept. And NO, I GET PAID BY THE RESTAURANT AND DON'T DO IT FOR TIPS ONLY. Nor am I recruiting others to do this. that is that other guy!!

One last bit on marketing,many cry "If I am booked to work a restaurant how can I book the good money deals?" Network my friend. I feel single handedly I have raised the price of magic and ballooning in my area by being busy. For many a year the price for a twister or magician was $50-$75 per hour. By being in restaurants I give the impression I am busy. If someone asks if I do private parties, Sure this is my rate.

Wow you are higher than So & so why? Because I have to put a substitute in my other gig to come to you. I am not going to go work for less money, would you?
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

#27
Quote from: "Graham Lee"
Quote from: "Bad to the Balloon"I have a question for all of you!!!

Ha Ha I see a cunning plan, you want to Interview us now :lol:
<<<SNIP>>
On a side note what are your thoughts on Kevin Larson & the talk on Balloon hq.
Has he employed you for his event? Are you happy with him using your pictures.

Graham Lee

Well if you don't stir the fire the ember die....

As for Kevin Larson I will not comment till after the event is over .... trust me I am working on it. There is a lot of people helping me on this. And you maybe surprised how it is handled. Nuf sed!
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

Dean Spruce

#28
My biggest challenge would be requests.

I keep on being asked for chainsaws etc but thats what it makes it intresting as for me there has to be an element of excitment otherwise it gets dull pretty fast as for the U.K I feel the work is out there but you have to show restaurants etc how good you are.

A questions for you.

What style of apron do you use ? and whats the smallest balloon model you make?

and you mentioned magic do you perform any effect currently using balloons?

Dean

Bad to the Balloon

#29
Quote from: "Dean Spruce"My biggest challenge would be requests.

I keep on being asked for chainsaws etc but thats what it makes it intresting as for me there has to be an element of excitment otherwise it gets dull pretty fast as for the U.K I feel the work is out there but you have to show restaurants etc how good you are.

A questions for you.

What style of apron do you use ? and whats the smallest balloon model you make?

and you mentioned magic do you perform any effect currently using balloons?

Dean

The BDS (Balloon Delivery System) I use is of my own design. I wear a professional nailer's pouch on one hip and a Balloon pump holder on the other with a waiter's pouch too. I carry about 400-500 balloons at a time. To see my set up go here:
http://markbyrne.balloonhq.com/index.ph ... y=&page=11

The smallest balloon I do is a ring. I do Twistina's 350 rose under glass ring.

My opening routine I do in all my magic shows is a variation of Phil Goldstein/Jeff McBride's Inflation. It is on one of Jeff's tapes. Recently I got to do this routine in front of Jeff McBride and  the whole Twist & Shout convention. Jeff gave me quite a compliment saying I did the routine much better than he did.... in fact he asked me to stand up and teach it in his class.It was quite an honor.

Basic scenario of the routine: I tip my bowler hat and a balloon is now stuck in my hat. I cut it out of my hat and try to blow it up, too hard. with a touch of a finger a bubble of air appears in the center. It then turns into a ball manipulation act. Then it becomes balls from mouth. I eventually blow up the balloon and walk through the balloon. After some more bits of business I turn it into a flower for an audience member.
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