I recently picked balloon twisting back up after a 15-year hiatus, and got this video as part of the
'Choose 5 for $99' deal as a means to re-introduce myself to some fundamentals and re-learn some of
the more complex designs. While it was pretty good for that, I didn't really love Joe's
presentation style (he seems constipated through the whole thing, and every smile he shows looks
forced and awkward), and he glossed over (or completely skipped) some key concepts that I know to be
fundamental to the practice, and there were a few 'standard' sculpture designs that he never teaches
or mentions. So, although I appreciate the overall contents of the video, I spent about 2/3rds of
the time thinking that I could have made a much better video. I certainly wouldn't recommend paying
full price for this video, but if you need a basic all-in-one intro to twisting, it's worthwhile as
part of the 'Choose 5' deal.
11 of 12 magicians found this helpful.
When I received the Order 5 for 99 bucks recently, I decided to check out Joe's Balloon School. I
have considered it in the past, but wasn't sure what I thought. I've been doing Balloon Twisting
for 25 years, so do already have a pretty decent repertoire.
But, my attitude & opinion
is, if you find ONE item on a DVD worth value to you, then it was worth the purchase, plus I love
supporting other Artists.
I read through the reviews, and they were all pretty good, so I
decided to 'go for it'. I have mixed feelings about this DVD offer. My fiance watched it with me,
and about halfway through, she said, 'This guy is very boring to listen to'. We still watched the
whole DVD, and there IS definitely some great info here, for beginners for sure.
If you
are already a Pro Twister, I don't honestly think you will get a lot out of this, but for sure a
beginner or maybe an amateur will gleam some great advice.
On the more advanced stuff, I
did LOVE Joe's Mermaid (very simple but very cute), and his Rose, and Diamond Ring. Everything else
I already make, a little differently of course.
I do a LOT of line work, so there were a
few 'tips' that Joe didn't show, that I use all the time, to prevent kids from taking apart their
creation. I was surprised Joe didn't show this simple technique.
Another tip I'm
surprised Joe didn't share was 'mouth inflating vs. pump inflating'. In all my workshops I always
explain that with 'mouth inflating', which I do a lot myself, but you are blowing 'hot' air into the
balloon, and this 'does' make your balloons more brittle, whereas with a pump, you are inflating
with cooler air. From my experience, I have much less popping when I pump inflate, especially in a
warmer environment.
Joe's Steps to Success & Business Advice was very good, but of course
already known to other Pro's.
My fiance and I agreed Joe is NOT a teacher, but is very good
on the street and entertaining.
Joe's DVD would definitely be very good for a person just
starting out, no question. So I can recommend it to a Beginner, but don't really think an Amateur
or Pro would get a lot out of it. Is it worth the price; well in my opinion, maybe just a lil
overpriced. 29.95 would have been much more reasonable. I believe a Beginner would really enjoy
it. Joe's DVD has certainly inspired me to begin working on my 'first' DVD.
7 of 8 magicians found this helpful.
The DVD is good in that it teaches the basic twists, and some very basic balloon animals. There are
some suggestions on how to find work, as well.
But even the most cursory search on the internet
will give you equally good instruction on the basics, and significantly better animals to do. I
was seriously hoping that Balloon School would have more than just the basics.
I'd skip
this. If you're anything but a beginner, you'll be disappointed. If you are a beginner, find the
basics for free on you tube.
5 of 7 magicians found this helpful.
Ok, FIVE WHOPPING STARS!
Joe Montella took the time and patience making a tutorial should have.
His explanations for everything were incredibly accurate and he took exactly the right steps for
teaching.
I've been working with Balloons since the early 90's as an "EXTRA" in my Magic
Performances. I started with (and still use) Captain Visuals Balloon Book. When I saw Joe's
Preview Video I thought I'd be wasting money buying this DVD, but as soon as I started watching my
Download Version I was completely satisfied.
Looking at Balloons from his mind's eye
(sculpting) has shown me a different light and will make balloonary something more in my
performances.
GET THIS DVD! You will not be disappointed (oh yeah, buy a bunch of balloons too,
sold here, 260Q's and 160Q's, LOTS) and you will learn a LOT from this guy.
Hats off to you Joe
and all the best wishes for you out there!
3 of 3 magicians found this helpful.
I got this DVD a loong time ago, maybe like, a year and a half, I watched it sometimes and I didn't
own any balloons, but since there was this 5 for 99-deal I added this, because you never know when
you need this.
A couple of weeks ago I finally decided to start off with balloon
sculpturing, so I bought myself some 260's and the balloon-pump Joe recommended in the DVD, and
yesterday I recieved the balloons in the mail from Penguin, and I thought at first it was going to
be very difficult, but no, it wasn't all that difficult.
Maybe you have a little bit of trouble
in the beginning, but once you learn all the basics, you can do almost anything.
Joe is a
great teacher and he doesn't leave anything out! He's maybe a little too quick on how to do all the
sculptures, but he said that before he started, so it's OK. great thing DVD players have a
pause-button. ;)
Thank you Joe for this absolutely outstanding DVD!
oh, and one
last thing for everyone else: ADD TO CART!
3 of 3 magicians found this helpful.
The lesson is well built, starting from the basics and moving up. The making of the balloon figures
are well explained. I recommend it for anyone who wants to learn how to work with balloons (kids
love it).
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
I had the pleasure of meeting Joe Montella, and he is very articulate and a very knowledgeable
person. I think Joe was a little mechanical in the video but he is nothing like that. Joe is very
eloquent and insightful and has many stories to tell, to keep your interest. I bought Balloon School
before I met Joe and asked him to Autograph the copy that I bought which, he didn’t hesitate to do
so. I am a novice with balloon design but have learned a lot from Joe’s video. Joe’s a great guy and
this is a fantastic DVD!
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
Bought this without ever having made balloon animals before (apart from making a dog once when I was
a kid), and really never even putting much thought into doing so. Now a few weeks after getting
this, I've already done a birthday party with plenty more on the way, and have been asked to make
them at a big fund raiser in a couple weeks. The skills you learn on this dvd will so quickly have
you making way more impressive balloon animals than you probably knew existed.
By the
time you go through the techniques section, it is fairly limitless what you can make with some
imagination. There are plenty of designs taught here (and are taught very well), but even if what
you want to make isn't detailed here, it isn't hard to figure out how to make what you want using
the loops and twists that you learn.
If balloon twisting sounds at all like something
you'd be interested in doing, pick this dvd up.
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
The DVD is a relief. I am more visually inclined when it comes to learning certain things. I do love
books, but the DVD sped me through the basics right up to the more advanced balloon twisting.
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
I'm not sure if I got this here or somewhere else, but this DVD is an excellent introduction to
balloon art. Maybe there are better. Maybe this isn't the best? But it's good. It WILL teach you
from the ground up how to be a basic balloonist. 'Nuff said.
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
Today, when you order "Balloon School with Joe Montella", you'll instantly be emailed a Penguin Magic gift certificate. You can spend it on anything you like at Penguin, just like cash. Just complete your order as normal, and within seconds you'll get an email with your gift certificate.
FREE SHIPPING TO THE UNITED STATES. This product qualifies for PENGUIN FLAT-PACK™ (World-wide free shipping)
Not a bad intro, but also missing some key fundamentals
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Some good info for sure...
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EXCELLENT WORK JOE!
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