It wasn’t Brendan Ord’s idea to go on reality TV.
Rather than seeking a spot on Blow Up, Channel 7’s latest reality show where the country’s top 10 balloon artists compete for the title of Australia’s best, the 50 year old from Wyndham Vale said it was the other way around.
“They kinda head hunted us” said Mr Ord of how he and his nine competitors ended up on national television.
“It’s nice to be recognised.”
Almost a year after first being approached, Blow Up has reached the halfway point of its 10 episode run and its effect on Mr Ord’s profile has matched its name.
“I’m getting calls asking are you the guy on Blow Up” he said of how being on TV has changed his business Balloons by Design.
“People have recognised me when I’ve been out on jobs and at parties.
“The other day I got recognised by a few of the kids”.
Birthday’s, bar-mitzvah’s, shopping centres and corporate functions have been Mr Ord’s usual beat since becoming a professional balloon artist 17 years ago.
“My cousin who’s a professional clown he started me off” he said of how he entered such an unusual field.
Mr Ord appreciates the boost the show has given to his business, especially after being unable to perform for three years during the pandemic.
However, he hopes Blow Up will help more than just his bottom-line, but balloon art itself.
“I hope people realise balloons are not just dogs and swords and that they can be large sculptures.
I can do anything from a one balloon dog to a three day four thousand balloon build” said Mr Ord who uses inflating machines and frameworks for bigger builds, including the 6 meter tall ferris wheel he claims is his biggest.
This is the sort of artistry and skill that’s on display on Blow-Up, where contestants are vying for $100 000 in prize money.
Unsurprisingly, competition is fierce, but Mr Ord said given the small world of balloon art, it’s friendly too.
“They’re all my friends anyway, we all know each other.”
Blow-Up streams on Mondays at 7.30pm on 7 Plus and on Tuesdays at 7.30pm at 7 Flix.
