From: Choochclwn@aol.com
Date: Sat, 20 May 2000 10:18:37 EDT
Subject: Re: Messages and Mediocrity
To: balloon@fooledya.com

Richard's post on this was thought-provoking, to say the least. It touches on 
one of my favorite subjects, and with my twisting booking for this morning 
just having been canceled (for some reason the client didn't want to have a 
fair in a rainstorm---go figure), I have some unexpected free time. 
Therefore, I'd like to add my two pennies.

My private thoughts on the spiritual aspects of Richard's post will remain 
just that. (I'm a clown, not a fool. LOL) However, Richard is right on target 
when he stresses the need to make sure our enthusiasm for our message 
(spiritual, safety, the joy of balloon twisting, etc.) doesn't become a 
substitute for good presentation. When using balloons (or magic, for that 
matter) to give a message, it's easy to fall into the trap of working hard on 
the balloon twisting part, and on the message part, without giving enough 
attention to the connection between the two.

Having seen programs where the presentation was great, and some where it was 
not so great, and having made plenty of my own mistakes in this regard, I 
have learned the following key to presenting a twisting program with a 
message: get the message fixed in your mind first, and then work out what 
balloons (or magic, or whatever) can communicate it. In too many bad 
presentations, it's pretty obvious the balloon came first, and what message 
it could be used to communicate decided after that. When the message is 
chosen to suit the balloons, the flimsy connection between the two shows. 
When the balloons are chosen to suit the message, you've got a good, tight 
fit.

Twistin' the night away...
Bennett (the world's only Jewish twister whose wife's church for some reason 
keeps asking me to do children's sermons LOL)/Chooch
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