Tom Bibo Interview 2/8th June

Started by Graham Lee, April 07, 2008, 11:37:41 PM

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tombibo

#30
Very interesting question indeed! :D
Knowing you like I know you, we certainly would have a lot of fun times and many good looking childeren! ;)

Graham Lee

#31
I'm disappointed as I thought Thelma was going to marry me :D

A few more questions for you Tom;

1, What road led you into balloon modelling?

2, when did you get started with balloons?

3, What's your best twisting experience?

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

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

6, What's your favourite age to entertain?
"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

tombibo

#32
so it seems that all the women in your (balloon) life fancy me! :D

tombibo

#33
1, What road led you into balloon modelling?

When I first started it was just something did to pass the time, no clue at all that it would turn into a passion and later into a profession. I did balloons for cousins and nieces, for childeren in the neighborhood, you know the drill...
One day though, we needed a balloonartist for a customer in our shop, and I went looking for a balloonentertainer who in that era charged 375€ (£295 or $580) and I thought, 'wow, that's alot!' and 'maybe I can do this too'
So at first I did it for the money ;)
After a few years I got bored with being a 'balloonmachine' and my journey begun!

2, when did you get started with balloons?

When we opened our first shop, I was quite young (almost 18). This was the first time I saw a 260Q balloon. I bought the first Marvin Hardy book and I tried to make his work. Isn't that how we all got started? ;)

3, What's your best twisting experience?

I have a lot of very good experiences, as the little bag of balloons took me around the world, playing nice veneus and meeting remarkable people.

I can share a very intimate and emotional experience, but it's not a good one... I did a balloonsculpture for the funeral of my friend's son, who was three years old. This was one of the hardest things I have done in my life. But they insisted on doing so, as Helder was very found of balloons. That day I really felt the power of our passion. It's dificult to say, but it was actually nice to do, helping a grieving friend with the one thing his son and me had in common. We love balloons...

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

I had a balloon popping in the eye of a little child, not good! Everything worked out fine, but I was really in shock.
I had a spectator faint while he was trying to blow up the balloon, not good! He was around 40 and in good shape. Lesson well learned, he doesn't blow balloons anymore! :)
In my early years  I had one time that I was attacked by childeren who weren't much older than 10-12 years, they stole ALL of my balloons when I wasn't watching (big busker bag, about 1200 260Q's)
You want more? I had my share! ;)


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

This question has 2 answers.
First, I know it sounds corny, but just to see the look on people's faces, knowing that you can take them out of their daily routines and worries just by offering them 5 min of your time and a piece of latex!
Second, because I LIKE it! I get in a zen kind state of mind. I litterally go into 'the zone'.


6, What's your favourite age to entertain?

I don't have a favourite age, I have a favourite kind!
I like the ones who are eager and who treat you with the respect that we deserve!
People who really understand the years of practice and the creativity that goes along with it.
And believe me, there's a lot of them out there! ;)

Graham Lee

#34
Tom

Mark Byrne also told a story of when he had to make a bike for a funeral in his interview as well and that it was very difficult for him, he has posted a picture as well.
A few months ago earlier in the year I was booked for two hours at a funeral for a teacher who died of cancer at the age of 40, lots of children from her school attended & the husband called the day "A celebration of life" and I have to say it was a very moving experience for me as well but one that I enjoyed doing. Things like this stay with you for a long time.

Well it's only Wednesday & you've answered all the questions Tom, this is the first time someone has got through them all :D
I've found it very interesting to read and hopefully others will come up with a few more questions for you.

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

tombibo

#35
yep, keep 'em coming, I am on a roll here! :D :D :D

Danny the Idiot

#36
what is your favourite balloon colour?
What is your favourite balloon shape to work with at the moment?
Yes - I know it depends what your making, but....! ;)

What is in your balloon bag when on a gig?

how often do you shave your head and when did you start doing this (& why)?   8-)

What was the magic or balloon class like with Jeff McBride? I'm interested in going at some point.  :ugeek:

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

Professor T Wist

#37
If you do marry Thelma, and assuming we are all invited I guess we won't have to buy hats we can make them  :D  :D  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Anyway, a question


Who would you like to make a balloon model for most and why?
What would you make them ?

colin myles

#38
One more question if i may.
Who (Living or dead would you most like to be stuck in a lift with ? )
Bruce Willis or James Bond will not be accepted :D

Okay one more,
If you could be an animal or bird,what would you like to be and why?

I am loving it so far my friend
                                        Colin

Graham Lee

#39
Quote from: "tombibo"8, What's your favourite thing to make at the moment?

At this moment defenitelly the Sabina Kellner rabbit!
It's very beautiful and there's a lot of play and technique involved.
My all time favourite is the heart petal flower, I get a lot of play out of it and I get kissed at the end! :D

And all those that wish to learn Sabina's rabbit can as she is doing a hands on lecture/workshop in the UK on Wed 9th July, as recommended by Tom Bibo :D

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

tombibo

#40
what is your favourite balloon colour?

Goldenrod! I loooove this colour!

 
What is your favourite balloon shape to work with at the moment?

Always the heart balloon. People don't know that you can twist them or use a raisin twist inside, seeing the look on their faces is priceless. Also the heart balloon always says it without needing words! And there's a lot of play with the heartballoon!
 

What is in your balloon bag when on a gig?

15 colours 260Q, 6 colours 160Q, 6 colours 350Q, 3 colours 646Q, 6 colours hearts, 5" and 11" round balloons, eyes balloons, black donut balloons and a rod to double stuff.


how often do you shave your head and when did you start doing this (& why)?  

I shave every day. I began doing it out of a mistake.
I had long, curly hair (for real!), and one day I decided to take it all off because I thought that George Michael's haircut in 'don't let the sun go down on me' would look good on me (what was I thinking?)
So I started to cut my hair and every week I used a rasor. One day, we had to go to a party, I shaved my head but forgot to put the comb on the rasor, and there was 1 millimeter all over my head. I said to myself, 1 mm is like nothing, so I shaved it all fo the first time. I was 22 at the time and it never changed, it became a 'look'.
To be honoust, if I would let it grow now, there wouldn't be much left to let grow! :D


What was the magic or balloon class like with Jeff McBride? I'm interested in going at some point.

I attended several Masterclasses with Jeff. I highly recommend it to everybody, it doesn't matter what age or experience level you have. Jeff helps you constructing your act. In the meantime he shares a lot of his wisdom, build on years and years of his own experiences. It opened my eyes to a lot of theatrical 'secrets' and know how!
Also being in the class with several other magicians/entertainers who all have a positive, constructive oppinion about your act, helps you with huge steps!

tombibo

#41
Who would you like to make a balloon model for most and why?
What would you make them ?


This is a hard question... Normally I am very sarcastic about these things and I would make funny remarks about who I would make something for to shut him up and stuff...
To be honoust, in my previous answers I am very straight in for whom I like working for, but I think you want to hear a specific name, no? ;)

Ok, then, here we go... I would like to make a balloon for Sting or for Jack Nicholson or Christopher Walken. Because I really think the world of them and my balloons would be the only way to get to talk to them. I would make them a portrait of themselves and one of me, so they would always remember me! :D
And... I also would like to make a big cigar for Bill Clinton! ;)
and a new (balloon) friend for Graham, and a visum for Colin, so he could come live with me in beautiful Belgium in the south of France! :D :D :D

tombibo

#42
Who (Living or dead would you most like to be stuck in a lift with ? )

This one goes deep! Good!
I would like to have a chat with a few people in this lift!
First I would like to talk to Jesus, just some fundamental questions.
I would like to talk to Adolf Hitler, so I could finally understand how one can become so derranged and mad.
And finally I would like to chit chat with Chaplin, about comedy and life in general.
 

If you could be an animal or bird,what would you like to be and why?

I wouldn't like to be a balloondog, that's for sure! Some guy blows you up by the nose, twists your ears and legs and hands you out to some annoying kid who's only intend is to burst you! :D

I would like to fly like an eagle. As in the ancient Indian legends. Just because of the sense of freedom when you are in the air. Gliding on the wind, I imagine that this should be a fantastic feeling!
And, if I could fly, I could visit my friends all over the world, just like that! :)

tombibo

#43
@ Graham

tell Sabina that the good pr will cost her a beer at TMJ! ;)

Graham Lee

#44
Tom,

I'd like to take this opportunity of thanking you for taking the time & trouble of answering the questions here on
balloon chat :D .I have to say that I really enjoyed reading your answers which I thought were very honest & thoughtful.
I do hope other members enjoyed reading your answers as much as I did, as I feel that I know you even better now :D

Hope to see you soon, if you need a place to stay in London your more than welcome. ;)

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