Fantasy in Flight:
Special Shapes from A to Z

There can be no question that special shape balloons are the new "vogue" in our sport, so it seems altogether natural there should be a video dedicated to these flying fantasies; enter On the Road Productions of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

It was 1989 when the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta inflated the first Special Shapes Rodeo. Less than 20 balloons participated that year. This October, when we once again gather at Fiesta park, nearly five times that number are expected. Throughout those years, On The Road Productions has been there to document these whimsical creations and this newest video is a compilation of those years of video, celebrating shapes in general, rather than being themed to any one year as are their more usual "official" Fiesta videos.

Unfortunately it seems as if Patrick Murphy and his staff are more intent on showing their vast library of video than in telling a coherent story. Too often throughout the production we are treated to a short narrative, no more than a few sentences at most, followed by seemingly endless segments of music accompanied by pretty pictures of balloons floating by. Anyone who has seen more than one ballooning video in their life knows that even the most ardent fan can easily be bored by such video white noise. Granted the first time you see Arky, Tony the Tiger, the Cow Jumping Over the Moon, or Smaug its exciting. By the fifth time its old hat. Segments on the Fiesta's mass ascensions, balloon glow and the well worn splash and dash in the Rio Grande seem to have little to do with the story of shapes and emerge as merely an excuse to air out some file footage.

That having been said, Flights of Fantasy is punctuated with moments of brilliance that is the hallmark of On The Road Productions. An early segment comparing real products; a Mountain Dew can, Smokey Bear, Sugar Bear, elephants, polar bears and more to their hot air counterparts is a marketing man's dream. Anyone pitching a contract for a special shape balloon should have this video for that reason alone.

Even more compelling is the story of the creation of the 1994 Fiesta's favorite special shape, Arky. Here Murphy skillfully guides us from one man's dream and a crude piece of artwork, to computer and clay modeling, to the sewing floor, to test inflation and first flight. Here the story is clear, concise and has sense of purpose. Some might also say this segment is an unabashed commercial for Aerostar, but judging from the results they have every right to be extremely proud.

In the end Fantasy in Flight seems to have trouble establishing a clear identity. An opening segment based on the old "now I've said my ABCs" rhyme suggests this might be a children's video. Other segments try to educate us technically as to how special shapes evolved and are constructed. I'm not certain the two mix. With a running time of approximately 50 minutes I found myself growing a bit weary.

Is Fantasy in Flight worth the price? Yes, but I would gladly pay the same for a tighter production of say, 30 minutes. Would I buy this video? Again, yes. Is it as good as OTR's other Fiesta videos? Sadly, no... but no one hits a home run every time at bat. Call this one a stand-up triple.

Special Shape Balloons is availabe for $20 plus $4 shipping and handling from On The Road Productions, 1715 Girard Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Phone (505) 255- 7930.