Twist & Shout Intensive Class Series $99
Wednesday January 30th
See below for Master Class Descriptions
Inside Buster's Head with Buster Balloon
An Appointment with the Balloon Act Doctor
with Danny Schesinger
Life Sized and Beyond - Large Sculpture Design
with Royal Sorell
Twist & Shout Class Line-up
Danny Schlesinger
Danny Schlesinger is an expert in balloon entertainment and an international award winning performer who works in theatre, circus, cabaret, festivals, TV and film. Danny has been a performer for over 20 years.
Danny’s style of silent comedy with Balloons has entertained audiences all over the UK, Ireland and Europe and the USA in cabaret, theatres and outdoor shows. Danny won the Jury prize the International Children’s' Theatre festival, Porto Sant 'Elpidio, Italy, July 2011, voted for by the children. And at Twist & Shout 2012 Danny was given the Dewey Award, “Balloon Excellence for 2011”. It was kindly accepted by Graham Lee on Danny’s behalf who brought it back to the UK.
Danny’s area of expertise is performing, and performing specifically with balloons.
On the teaching side, Danny has taught at The Millenium Jam 2006; At Graham Lee’s Care & Share days in the UK and has taught balloons to corporate clients for team building.
He is also directing Nifty Balloon’s’ “Dream Show”, their 2012 library Balloon show. And is the artistic director of Bubblz Maths Clowns who use balloons, bubbles and clown to teach maths in a fun accessible way in schools.
Danny’s website http://www.circoridiculoso.co.uk/
Master Class:
An Appointment with the Balloon Act Doctor
Wednesday January 30, (2 classes) 8:30 am - 12:30 OR 2 pm - 6 pm
Maximum of 10 people per session session. You will need to have ready 5-10 minutes of your balloon show/act and the Doctor will work with you on it. Its not one-to-one but everyone else in the class watches too. The first hour will be a technique class and the rest of the time will be working on the acts. Students will need to bring everything they need to show the act including balloons. One of the Doctor's students, Andrea Noel -won last year's T&S stage competition!
How To Be Totally Awesome With Or Without Balloons.
Danny (the Idiot) Schlesinger will reveal fundamental secrets that will improve your performances with or without balloons. Danny will show you some easy to master techniques that will enhance both balloon shows AND balloon twisting. And will include tried and tested tools from Avner the Eccentric. You will learn how to
- Create and maintain rapport with any audience
- Use breath to increase your comfort and confidence in front of any audience
- Use problem solving to create comedy out of balloon activities
- Turn any audience volunteer into a totally awesome volunteer
And much more.
This class is open to any skill level of twisting or experience of performing.
How To Make Your Balloon Act Totally Awesome.
Whether you already have a balloon act, or would like to have one, Danny (the Idiot) Schlesinger will
help you through this latex labyrinth. Danny through his creative and directing experience will make sure you are inspired to make your own balloon act Totally Awesome.
We will examine such topics as
- Creation and generating material
- Who is your audience?
- How to refine and hone
- The theatre of balloon twisting
And much more.
This class is open to any skill level of twisting or experience performance.
Alberto Nava
Presented by Qualatex Balloons
from Milan, Italy, has practiced magic since he was 8 and started adding balloons into his magic 13 years ago. He works as a family entertainer while creating fantastic sculptures as Mr. Crazyballoons. His large sculpture entries have earned him two second-place wins (2008-2009) at the Balloon Arts Convention Italy (BACI). In 2009, he has also participated in the Balloon Art World Challenge in Bangkok, Thailand, where his team won first place in the balloon hat competition. Moreover, their large sculpture has been featured in the April/May/June 2010 issue of “Balloon Images” magazine and has received worldwide press coverage. In 2010, Alberto was part of the Italian team that took first place in the Large Sculpture competition at the World Balloon Convention in Dallas, TX, USA.
Alberto’s love for performing and his need for direct contact with the public has taken him on many different adventures – busking on the Rambla in Barcelona, touring France to visit a major street performance festival and working side by side with amazing performers at one of the most famous locations of all – the Sunset Celebration in Key West, FL, USA.
His “Hairbands” DVD has received impressive reviews in the balloon industry, including an article in “Balloon Magic – The Magazine” issue #62. Alberto was also interviewed as the “Spotlight” artist in issue #64 of “Balloon Magic.”
During Twist and Shout 2010, he released his new DVD, “Squeak ‘N Easy,” which showed how to make your balloon figures even more amazing by adding sounds to them. During the summer of 2010, he toured the United States with Robbie Furman, CBA, during the “T-Jam on the Road Tour,” teaching side by side with the legends of the balloon world across 40 states and 41 cities. On this fantastic adventure he was also invited to perform at the White House for the 4th of July Celebration.
Hairbands 2.0
Ever since Alberto introduced Hairbands to the balloon world in 2010, they have quickly become a “must” for every balloon artist. Come learn Alberto’s newest designs and techniques in this hands-on class! You’ll see just how easy it is to add Hairbands to your repertoire and offer something new and exciting to your clients.
Welcome to Wonderland
Want to take your twisting to a new level? Then set a course for this Wonderland-themed, hands-on class! Alberto will create quick, impressive, and well-known characters as well as intricate designs perfect for photo ops and room decor – all using signature Qualatex® latex prints and even Microfoil® balloons. His designs are so unique, you and your clients will think you’ve fallen down the rabbit hole into a magical new world!
Jeff Hayes
Actor, comedian, magician, former professional wrestler and part- time jewellery salesman, Jeff “The Uncanny” Hayes is also recognized, both nationally and internationally, as one of Australia’s top balloon twisters.
Jeff has honed his skills with almost thirty years of performing at fairs, festivals, parties and countless corporate events throughout Tasmania and the Australian mainland. He has also enjoyed three tours of the U.S.A. and has also performed in Asia and Europe.
After winning the inaugural Tasmanian Busking Championships, Jeff was awarded the Australian Balloon Entertainer of the Year at ABC 2003. Jeff also won the Deliveries competition at OzJam 1 in 2011.
A firm believer in education, Jeff continues to build his own skills and knowledge while giving back to the industry that has been so good to him. Jeff has written five books on the art of balloon sculpting and has produced two instructional DVDs. He has also been a featured instructor major balloon events throughout Australia.
Muzzle Buddies:-
A collection of cute and comic figures that share a common muzzle structure. These sculptures will add to your repetoire and the muzzle structure will hopefully inspire you to build your own menagerie of adorable animals.
Winged Wearables:-
A collection of bird-brained bracelets designed to get your clients in a flap. Classic avian designs that have been adapted to join the current craze of wearable art,
Robbie Furman
Originally from Parsippany, New Jersey Robbie Furman, CBA has been working with balloons for over 20 years. His original designs and techniques have become the Mainstay of many balloon decorators and artists the world over.
As a small boy, Robbie saw his first twisted balloon at a birthday party and told his mother he wanted to make Balloons when he grew up. His mother quickly replied…”Yes Dear, I’ll remind you…now go play” Well his mother forgot to remind him, but years later working in a used book store Robbie found a copy of Balloon Magic by Marvin Hardy and as they say the rest is history.
With this new love and knowledge of balloons, Robbie started volunteering at various non-profits events and, after several years, had a calling to become a full-time volunteer. He dedicated a year and half of his life to missionary work in San Diego and also served in the Domestic Peace Corps. During that time he used his balloons to put smiles and many people’s faces.
As a result of these experiences, he had a chance to try new things with his balloons and venture into the Deco-twisting world full time. Robbie currently based in the Northern New Jersey area, where his unique style has allowed him to decorate for thousands of events over the years. His balloons have been seen on ABC's All My Children, One Life to Live, Live with Regis and Kelly, Ugly Betty and Good Morning America.
Over the past several years Robbie has been teaching his Deco-Twisting style to thousands of students around the World. Most recently Robbie has traveled to Israel, France, Italy, Colombia, Japan, and England.
Robbie’s passion and desire is to share his Balloon knowledge and enthusiasm with those around the world. Recently Robbie was awarded the Golden Light Award in honor of Linda Bruce.
Familiar Faces
In this class Robbie will show you how to quickly make some very familiar characters Jersey Style. Tigger, Kenny (south Park), Sponge Bob, and Elmo. Robbie will teach you how to also create these designs in front of your audience to get the most excitement out of the designs! Hands on: All Levels
Taking Your Balloon Business to a Whole New Level
This class will give students an idea on how to take their balloon business to the next level. Learning Robbie's techniques and secrets. Most of Robbie's parties that he twists at are 3-5 hours long and he will show you how his business has grown through the years. His techniques and designs will help you grow in the balloon world and put you on the path to your success!!! (Patty, you know me, this class also could be a masterclass, I will promise to make it VERY strong and keep the students talking about it!!!)
Buster Balloon
Wacky Racers:
Take a trip down Route 66 with Buster Balloon's all new, never before seen, ride inside car concept. You'll learn the base model (which takes about 20 minutes), then learn how to trick it out to build your dream ride. This deign will have clients racing to book you for their next event!
Trick or Treat:
Buster Balloon, The King of Halloween, presents five all new adorably creepy designs. Fun size wearables that your favorite little monsters will love any day of the year!
Master Class:
Inside Buster's Head
How to Create Your Own Balloon Designs
Wednesday January 30, 8:30 am - 12:30 (one class only)
Ever wonder how Buster Balloon designs all of his amazing balloon creations? We did too, so we asked him to teach a class on it.
In this four hour masterclass you will get a guided tour through Buster’s brain, showing you his entire creative process from start to finish. From finding inspiration, to choosing the right techniques, to adding character and personality.
Not only will he explain the techniques that he uses, you will get to see them in action as he designs new creations on the spot with the classes inspiration. Finally, you will be turned loose to build a unique design of your own with Buster there to coach you along the way. If you are ready to go beyond just recipes and start creating, this is the class for you.
Thad James
Presented by Betallic Balloons
Thad started with a bag of balloons, a hand pump and a book of instructions. What began nearly thirteen years ago as a part-time hobby to impress his nephew has grown into a full-time entertainment and decoration company. SAMMY J Balloon Creations has grown into one of the best known balloon companies in the St Louis region. Thad has worked most every kind of venue including restaurants, birthdays, receptions, trade shows, fairs, festivals, concerts and conventions.
SAMMY J Balloon Creations has produced some of the largest balloon installation projects in the country, (Balloon Garden, Balloon Nativity, Tropical Balloon Garden, The BEATLES Experience), and has been an invited artist on Balloon Manor 2004 and 2006. Thad has helped organize most of the local stops for TJam on the Road and taught Deco-Twisting during the last TJam on the Road tour.
Thad’s vast knowledge of techniques and years of experience have given him insights to provide original balloon designs for his clients. Designing and creating unique projects for each situation has set SAMMY J Balloon Creations apart from the competition.
The Biggest Design You Have Time For
In this class you will learn how to create several designs for the same sculpture. This will allow you to make simpler designs for line work and more impressive designs when you have the time. When asked for a “frog”, you can make a two-balloon design quickly. Or spend a little more time to create a spectacular frog hat with huge eyes, an open mouth, curly tongue and even a fly! Motorcycle? A quick two balloon creation or a four-balloon chopper that will blow them away!
This class will show you how easy it is to create amazing sculptures when you have a little extra time to impress. Great for a slower night at the restaurant or for the last of the line or the special birthday child.
SUPERSIZE ME!
Time to bring out the Big Ones: 360s and 660s. Anything made with these big balloons will impress and surprise your customers. The sculptures aren’t for line work but they are perfect for that special birthday child. A great way to impress a potential client. What about something to leave in the restaurant to promote your next appearance?
The bigger the balloon sculpture, the greater the perceived value. The greater the value, the more you can charge. For a few extra pennies per balloon you can great a huge creation and a giant reaction.
These balloons are big but working with them is easier than you think. You’ll learn the tips and techniques to create large creations that will amaze and astound your clients. Really big hats, really big animals, really big reactions and really big profits.
Debbie Stevens
Presented by Qualatex Balloons
Debbie Stevens was awarded “Top Fashion Designer” in the Balloon Couture Fashion Show at Twist & Shout 2012. Her dresses have been featured in fashion shows in Shanghai, Hong Kong, the United States, and Canada.
She began working as a balloon artist in 1997, and has since won numerous industry awards, including “Top Twister” at Twist & Shout 2004. She is an international instructor, teaching balloon creations in Canada, the United States, Europe, and China. Debbie has also produced numerous videos on balloon design, from Balloon Dresses to 646Q Creations. Debbie’s balloon designs and instructions have also been featured in “Balloon Magic® -The Magazine.”
Debbie is both owner and proud member of The Twisted Ones in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Twisted Ones are corporate balloon artists, entertaining across Canada and the United States with their Balloon Extravaganza Stage Shows. Learn more at TheTwistedOnes.com.
Balloon Dress Design with Lab
Part 1: Balloon Dress Design Lecture
Debbie will show you how to design a stunning balloon dress! We’ll begin learning and perfecting the basic weave, then transforming that weave into a dress. Debbie will show you step by step how to make a dress, while giving you all the tips and techniques she’s learned through trial and error, saving you time and energy. You’ll also receive invaluable marketing tips to help you use balloon dresses as a marketing tool to advertise your business, gaining access into the fashion world, exhibitions, and corporate events.
Part 2: Balloon Dress Design Lab
Once you’ve taken the Balloon Dress Design class, join us for this follow-up, hands-on session. We will split into teams, with each team designing and making their very own balloon dress. During the lab class, you’ll be able to ask questions as you’re making the dress, learn by trial and error, and build an amazing garment for the very first time!
Balloon Hair
Join Debbie as she shows you how to turn a live person into a balloon CARTOON character! If you’re already making balloon costumes or dresses, now you can add balloon hair to create a more complete character. By adding balloon hair, your model instantly looks like she’s stepped out of a cartoon! These balloon designs are modeled after real hair designs and attach directly to the model’s hair. After you’ve mastered balloon hair, your adorable and unique cartoon characters can roam at corporate events, fashion shows, stage shows, and festivals. You could even turn yourself into a CARTOON BALLOON ARTIST! Come to Debbie’s class to learn how.
Scott Tripp
Scott’s approach to balloons is complete and total immersion. He sees everything through a balloon filter and looks for influences outside of the balloon twisting world to help expand his understanding of the art. Sandcastle sculpture, lego building, twisted wire art and even supermarket produce arranging have had a direct impact on his artistic style. Scott loves studying balloons, developing new designs, dipping his own balloons and creating agates, custom color and more. He also enjoys collecting and studying vintage balloons, memorabilia and history.
Scott began as a juggler an magician, performing everything from street shows to opening acts on larger stages. He still performs magic and balloons for all types of events; birthdays, summer camps, libraries, daycares, weekly restaurants, pro and college sports teams and more. Scott considers himself a well rounded balloon entertainer, comfortable with line twisting, stage shows and just about any other balloon entertainment.
Scott travels regularly teaching and has a series of online instructional downloads, and is the publisher of 3 book plus 6 issues of Latex Soup, and has been published in Balloon Magic
Instant Balloon Show!
Every weekend, balloon twisters all across the world are making balloon sculptures at birthday parties, festivals, company picnics, and dozens of other events. Every weekday, restaurants fill up with balloons and color and laughter as balloon artists bring their talents as part of a Family Night or Kid’s Night promotion. But what about weekday mornings? Where are all of the balloon twisters at 10am on Tuesday morning? Many of them are sleeping late, some are just starting to put on the coffee, hoping that the phone will ring, a client will e-mail, or some gig might fall into their laps. But the smart ones are out doing paid shows, tapping into markets that most other balloon artists ignore or aren’t aware of! The evolution of balloon entertainment is “The Balloon Show”. When twisting balloons for a line, you are interacting with one person at a time. When performing a balloon show on stage, you are interacting with dozens or hundreds at a time! And many of these
shows are booked during the day on weekdays, filling up those empty time slots with paid bookings! But how do you put together a balloon show? Glad you asked! Instant Balloon Show! will give you the tools to build your own balloon show, and even give you the routines to get you started! You will leave the classroom with a complete balloon show, and the tools to start booking out your show and make money right away! Whether you just want to learn a few new routines, beef up your existing birthday party show, or add entirely new streams of performance bookings, this class is not to be missed!
Turbo-Charge Your Balloon Bag!
It was only a decade or two ago that a bag of Assorted 260Qs and a Sharpie marker was considered the standard balloon twister’s tool kit. In those dark days, a skilled artist might be able to crank out a four-balloon Pink Panther, or a Poodle with a Meatball in its Belly. Fast-forward to the present day, and Frumple-Twisted hearts and Sidewall Bubbles in 646s are standard moves, and the creations are getting more incredible and complex as we continue to experiment and push our art forward. Every year, new balloons, new shapes, and new colors are introduced, and each one opens up new possibilities. The more tools we have available, the more we can create with them. But are we using all of the tools that are available to us? What other options are there? First of all, we can learn about other balloons that some of the lesser-known companies have to offer. How many of us have twisted a Square balloon or a 4x120 balloon, or have ever seen a Star- shaped balloon, or a Color-changing balloon? These, and many other fun and exotic balloons are currently on the market, just waiting for us to buy and use them. Second, we can have our own balloons made. Don’t forget, the Silver 350, the Gold 350, the 321 undipped bee-body, and several other balloons that we now consider standard all began as “special runs”. As individuals, or as groups, we have the power to get things done! And third, we can get our hands dirty. For years, I’ve toiled in my secret basement laboratory, creating some unique balloon designs and variations. Agate 260s and 6-inch hearts, custom color-tipped 321s and other creations are simple, once you know the basics. In this class I show you what you need to set up your own small balloon lab, and how to get started. By the end of this two- hour class, your balloon bag or apron will be bursting at the seams with new balloons, and your brain will be bursting with new possibilities!
Ken Stillman
Presented by Betallic Balloons
(Ken at 4 with his first balloon animal and Ken today)
Ken Stillman, a gifted balloon designer was destined early on for the balloon world. He has revolutionized the balloon industry with his ideas from life-size Ninja Turtles to Fantasy Princesses. He rocked the balloon world with the release of his Super Hero DVDs and his famous Hitch Hiker design is used on a daily basis by balloon artists all over the world. But... what is he up to NOW?
Betallic is proud to announce that Ken has teamed up with his son, Eric Stillman who with video camera in hand is capturing all of Ken's newest ideas and is making them available to the world at balloonclick.com. Ken will reveal his newest interactive balloon software only at Twist and Shout.
Don't miss it's premiere and his high-visual impact specialty classes. BE THERE!
JUST FOR GIRLS!!!
Ken's Just for Girls class will place the spotlight on Ken's highly popular design genre: The Little Princesses series. These princesses have the same look and feel as the life-size princesses and will put a sparkle in every little girls eye and a smile on her face. The components have been simplified for these high visual impact princesses, all made quickly using Betallatex 160s and 260s. Get ready to hear lots of thrilled thank you's from little girls!
JUST FOR BOYS!!!
Ken's Just for Boys class will be a selection of creations taken from balloonclick's Space Madness and Monster Mobiles series as well as from Ken's newest series "Speed Twisting with 360s". These Betallatex designs are great for line twisting, and boys will be balloon-crazy for Ken's boy-friendly sculptures. This is guaranteed to be a fun filled class!
Master Class:
Life Size and Beyond - Large Sculptures
with ROYAL SORELL
Wednesday January 30, 2 pm - 6 pm (one class only)
Royal will take you through everything needed from start to finish for planning and creating practical and profitable large scale, frameless and free standing non-round balloon sculptures, revealing all of his insights in building successful displays.
Including, but not limited to: Load bearing balloon sculptures vs the need for base plates and frames. Assorted simple alternative weaving techniques integrating structural support with detailing. Determining the value of your sculpture/ pricing vs perceived value. Applying what you already know to make heroic balloon sculptures. Extrapolating from small to large scale. Practical, easily maintained facial construction techniques vs high art and how to promote them to prospective clients and up-.selling your already existing clientelle.