Inspiration for the show came from real life when, Dan, the "fun" bowtie wearing host was yelling at his kids after loosing yet another power strugle. His wife stepped in and said, "you ran out of your own ideas and you're not looking to God for help."
Thus, in each episode Balloon Man Dan (BMD) and Ewe get into a power struggle and pump up a Balloon Bible Story that parallels their own struggle and provides a life transforming solution.
The nine episode series follows the gospel narrative in the beginning when creation is separated from God and we embark on the journey back to God through Jesus.
Balloon Bible Stories (BBS) takes place in the home of Balloon Man Dan and Ewe.
DEUTERONOMY 6:7 encourages conversation about the Bible’s lessons “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
BMD’s balloon bag pumps up a world of imagination. In an instant, a cereal box transforms to a city, a kiddy pool sets sail for Nineveh, a garden box becomes Eden where Adam blinks for the first time. Each Bible narrative parallels BMD and Ewe’s current struggle for control and independence and helps them arrive at a resolution.
Ewe wasn’t born yesterday, she was inflated last week, yet her tummy tells her the most important thing – she is hungry! Hungry enough to devour the Bible! Ewe is still ruminating on the pages, chew, chew, chew. By the time the Bible Scriptures reach her fourth stomach, she gains Bible head knowledge, but somehow this knowledge bypasses her heart. Food crosses Ewe’s mind perpetually. However, how to apply the Bible to how she lives and the choices she makes does not. She has a seed of faith and a mountain of questions. She wants to meet Jesus. But, her Worst Enemy is trying to burst her bubble. The Holy Spirit connects the Bible to Ewe’s heart and transforms her outlook on the world.
Ewe is as boisterously honest as Olaf from Frozen and as independent as Pippi Longstocking.
Balloon Man Dan (BMD) desires to help Ewe apply the Bible to the way she lives. But BMD steps in the common parent trap, to control the way Ewe does things. BMD worries about Ewe trying new things from baking to biking. BMD discovers his need for control is rooted in a bigger issue – trusting God. Mild mannered BMD tolerates Ewe’s complaining, but when his threshold overloads he blows up and yells at Ewe. BMD gives himself an overdue break to seek God and repair his relationship with Ewe. BMD learns to give Ewe space and help her on her faith journey by planting and watering and trusting God to bring growth. BMD is pruned and grows just as much as Ewe along the journey.
Balloon Man Dan has the sincerity of Mr. Rogers and keeps his sheep in safe pasture like Kanga keeps Roo in the pouch in Winnie the Pooh.
Prickles keep him from what he wants – a hug – so he becomes more prickley. Ewe names him Prickle Beard and labels him her worst enemy. Prickle Beard is torn between desiring vengeance for Ewe’s inconsiderate insults and his desire to be loved. Because he lurks nearby, he listens, and learns from the Bible stories. Ewe has a change of heart, and she accepts Prickle. He blossoms and learns from Ewe how to embrace air hugs. Prickle delights in the bees nestling in his flowers.
Prickle Beard is as relentless as Wile Coyote and entrapped like Beast from Beauty and the Beast.
About the filmmaker: Dan, has worked for decades as a balloonist, animator, and children’s minister. Venturing out on missions trips with a bag of balloons, creating animation at Cal Arts, NYU, and Walt Disney Studios, and ministering to kids on their level. (I Heart Love won best animation in Christian Film Festival 2018 and King of Da Surf was selected by SD, LA, HI, SF, Children’s Film Festivals) As Dan drew a face on a balloon, an idea struck him. What if a balloon animal came to life through animation? Ewe was born and she will never stop talking. So let' s give her a platform!
Your support of Balloon Bible Stories provides fun co-watching for the whole family that points us to God’s word to grow together.
The Balloon Bible Stories team will be covid concious through out the production, adhearing to CDC guidelines.
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