Month: June 2018

2018-06-04T14:35:00

(BPT) – Over the history of movie making, certain props have been crucial enough to the story that they could almost be considered additional characters.

In some cases those props have been expensive to buy or build, and many have sold for astronomical amounts of money. Consider the $4.4 million someone spent to purchase James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 for “Goldfinger” or the $576,000 selling price of the Starship Enterprise replica created for “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

Other key props have been small in stature and price, but huge in their significance to the story line. Think, for example, of the key roles sleek and elegant Zippo lighters have played in some 2,000 movies, including blockbusters such as “Casablanca,” “Ocean’s Thirteen,” “Forrest Gump,” “Die Hard,” “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and “Charlie’s Angels.” Since 1932, the pocket-sized windproof tools and their unmistakable click have been showcased in nearly every genre.

“A prop is a way to create depth and flesh out the character,” notes Russell Bobbitt, Marvel Entertainment prop master. The Hollywood veteran of more than 30 years was recently featured in the video project titled “Walk of Flame” from Zippo in collaboration with IMDb. “Nothing is accidental – every item placed on set should enhance the audience’s understanding of the story. Even the smallest thing on a set, like a lighter, can become a very iconic prop and an integral storytelling device to drive the action forward.”

A few other fun facts about the roles of iconic props in popular American movies:

* The original “Star Wars” lightsaber cost $12 to build, reports Invaluable.com. After a flashlight-based handle was rejected by director George Lucas, it was replaced with vintage camera handles dug out of an old shop. A blade was added using a wooden dowel painted with projection material that could reflect light for the addition of post-production effects.

* For the quintessential ring in “Lord of the Rings,” multiple versions were created including an oversized design for close-up shots and a magnetic design that would seem heavy when dropped. Copies were made for different locations, various actors, gifts and press tour premiums. The lettering was copied directly from the J.R.R. Tolkien book, according to Invaluable.

* In “Hocus Pocus,” the character of Max wants to be seen as cool. His Zippo lighter became a symbol of that persona, and to help reinforce this, Bobbitt’s team taught actor Omri Katz the signature “flick open” which he practiced constantly throughout filming.

* All 20 hand-sewn models of Wilson the volleyball in “Cast Away” were used up over the course of filming, reports Thrillist.com. After practicing the exact placement of his fingers, Tom Hanks recreated a “bloody” handprint on each, with designers adding the facial features and “hair.” The name “Wilson” was in the original script; Wilson Sporting Goods agreed to provide the balls after the fact at the suggestion of a producer.

* Prop master Bobbitt calls the cave scene in “Iron Man” his most challenging project ever. “Putting together the Arc Reactor has been the biggest challenge in the Marvel universe,” he says. “I had to create cold fusion and nuclear power to bring it to life. Then I had to teach (Robert Downey Jr.) how wiring works before we got started filming.”

For more fascinating info about how props are effectively created and used on the silver screen, watch the film “Walk of Flame” in which Bobbitt guides viewers through a leading L.A. prop house featuring more than a million items. For more behind-the-scenes Zippo content and exclusive imagery over the coming weeks, follow Facebook (@Zippo), Instagram (@OriginalZippo) and Twitter (@Zippo).

2018-06-04T14:08:00

(BPT) – Crafting is a wonderful way to relieve stress and express your creative side — and fortunately, you don’t have to be a master craftsman — or spend a fortune on materials — to have fun and enjoy the benefits.

“A great way to get into crafting is by ‘upcycling’ — bringing new life into items you already have,” said Dinah Wulf, author and blogger of the website DIY Inspired. “Some of my favorite projects can be done with ordinary household items and just a dab of glue.”

Here are four easy upcycled projects to get your creative juices flowing.

A cork cell phone stand? Wine-not?

Wine corks make excellent crafting material, so instead of throwing the cork away once the bottle is empty, put it to use by creating a stand for your smartphone. All that you need for this cute project are 24 corks and a sturdy, quick-drying glue like DAP RapidFuse All Purpose Adhesive.

Start by stacking the corks in a pyramid shape, applying just a thin layer of glue to where the corks meet. Press each bond together for 30 seconds to ensure a strong hold. Next, just add one extra row of corks at the bottom for the phone to rest on, and repeat with the adhesive. Allow to cure for 30 minutes. In less than five minutes, you’ve created a unique resting place for your phone that keeps it handy while you work at your desk or look up recipes in the kitchen.

A dazzling jewelry box for hidden treasures

For an easy, budget-friendly crafting project, Wulf recommends scouring flea markets and garage sales for old ceramic boxes. With a little dressing up, they make the perfect jewelry box for you or a young one. Start by spray-painting the box in your desired color. Once dry, embellish with rhinestones or old figurines — even old decorative salt or pepper shakers. Simply dab a bit of adhesive on the item, then press into the box for 30 seconds to seal. It’s the perfect gift for the little princess in your life.

A bird feeder to tweet about

One of Wulf’s favorite projects is creating an eye-catching bird feeder made from an old saucer and teacup. It’s a way to repurpose old dishes that you no longer use, while also bringing some whimsy to the backyard. Simply lay the cup on its side on top of the saucer, and check to see where the cup and saucer touch. Next, apply the adhesive to these two areas to set and press together for 30 seconds. To keep the cup from rolling as it sets, place two small items on either side. After it cures for 30 minutes, it will be ready to fill with bird seed and hang.

A marvelous mug makeover

We all have that favorite mug for our morning coffee, but with heavy use, it’s easy for the handle to chip or break in two. Instead of throwing it away, apply a bit of adhesive to the exposed ends and press together for 30 seconds. Your favorite mug is as good as new! Don’t have a favorite mug? Apply word tiles or other fun accessories to a basic ceramic mug to create a one-of-a-kind treasure that you’ll look forward to using each morning. Just be sure to apply adhesive only to the exterior of the mug, as many glues are not food safe, and hand wash your newly created masterpiece.

Beyond crafting for fun, use your newfound crafting skills to repair other household items such as flower pots and picture frames. Your first instinct may be to trash the pieces and shop for replacements, but by repairing your items instead of replacing, you can save significant amounts of money, as well as hang on to irreplaceable heirlooms and items with sentimental value. RapidFuse All Purpose Adhesive is a cost-efficient solution, as it bonds to virtually everything, sets in 30 seconds and fully cures in 30 minutes. In less time than it takes to find a replacement, you can be enjoying your old items once again.

2018-06-04T16:14:00

(BPT) – The use of hormone therapy (HT) can minimize risks and maximize menopausal relief for common symptoms like hot flashes, dryness, mood swings, fractured sleep, brain fog, irritability and weight gain, according to Dr. Mache Seibel, author of The Estrogen Fix. When taken at the right time, estrogen therapy can lead to substantial improvements in health and quality of life and lower the risk of breast cancer, heart disease and dementia. Women should be aware of one caveat: Beginning estrogen after a woman’s estrogen window closes at age 65 may increase their risk for breast cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and osteoporosis.

Heeding advice about how and when to stop taking HT is important and revealed in new studies featured in Seibel’s book. The book reaffirms the safety of vaginal estrogen, as well as its effectiveness in controlling weight; it outlines newly available estrogens and progesterones and offers the latest hormone-free FDA solutions for women with vaginal dryness.

The following are 5 creative approaches to combat menopausal symptoms:

1. Hot flashes: Women experiencing hot flashes and night sweats can find relief using an FDA-approved estrogen hormone therapy called Divigel, a gel that is applied to the upper thigh daily. It contains the plant-based estrogen hormone estradiol, the same hormone made naturally by a woman’s ovaries before menopause and delivers estrogen identical to that naturally produced in the body.

2. Irritability/sleeplessness: Lack of sleep can contribute to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. A natural supplement with melatonin like Vitafusion Beauty Sleep promotes a good night’s sleep without prescription medication. Sex and/or self-pleasure are natural ways to decrease stress and can help with the onset and quality of sleep as well.

3. Painful sex: Internal vaginal dryness can be relieved for three days with hormone-free Replens Vaginal Moisturizer. Alternatively, prescription remedies like vaginal estrogen or DHEA can be used.

4. Weight gain? Eat to defeat menopause: Food is the fuel for every cell in your body, so avoid packaged and processed foods and limit sugary drinks and desserts to ensure you’re optimizing energy. Stick to unprocessed whole foods as there are no hidden ingredients or calories. Your body will also appreciate fresh and/or organic produce and hormone-free meat or grass-fed beef as often as possible.

5. Hair lacking luster, less-than-glowing skin and brittle nails: Loss of estrogen leaves many women dealing with thinning hair, increased dry skin and brittle or breaking nails. Introducing biotin into your diet with a raspberry-flavored gummy like Vitafusion Gorgeous Hair, Skin & Nails can ensure you’re consuming sufficient biotin and other helpful nutrients including vitamins C and E.

Every woman has safe, new options, from prescription HT to those available over-the-counter, to suit her unique needs. Schedule a chat with your health provider to discuss the right hormone therapy or alternative option for your personal menopausal challenge.

2018-06-04T11:01:00

(BPT) – It may not be easy, but many are doing it, balancing school, work and family. It’s a difficult task and those who do it will tell you they sometimes feel as though they are being pulled in three directions at the same time. If you are already struggling to achieve balance, or are considering adding school to your already busy life, there are things you can do to not only survive but thrive in managing these demands.

Below is a collection of gathered advice from students who are “doing it all” and these tips can help you manage your busy life and find balance:

* Have your goal from the beginning. Navigating through the tough times — and they will come — is really a matter of motivation. For starters, decide what are you going to school for. If your answer is simply because you feel you should, it will be tough to stick with it. Instead focus on your goals. Maybe you want to buy a permanent home for your family, to grow your career or find a job that will help you pay for your child’s college. Eboni Weekes, a Strayer University student, vowed to provide a better life for her daughter, so she knew she needed a Bachelor’s in Business Administration to further her career. Whatever your motivation, keep it front and center so you can call on it when the tough times come.

* Explore your options. All of your options. Education models simply aren’t one-size-fits-all. There may be certain programs designed specifically for your lifestyle — you just may not be aware of them. For some, flexibility may be a key factor, while for others — and, in fact, for most — cost is the biggest factor in selecting a program. Strayer University, for example, caters to working adults, keeping in mind the financial difficulties of managing work, family and school. The Strayer Graduation Fund allows bachelor’s degree students to earn a course at no cost for every three classes they complete. This effectively reduces your college tuition expenses by as much as 25 percent if you stay actively enrolled. “The Strayer Graduation Fund has shown me that there are other alternative funds available for me to acquire my degree,” said Eboni. “I don’t have to depend on loans.”

* Develop your support system. When balancing school, work and family, it’s important to realize you don’t have to go it alone. Students who juggle multiple demands recommend asking for help from grandparents, friends and neighbors. An evening babysitter can free you up to study and get your school work done quickly. Childcare can get expensive, so consider a no-cost childcare swap with a friend or neighbor. Ask if they can take care of your child on nights when you have class and in return, you can take care of their kids on other nights.

* Get organized. When you have little to no spare time, you can’t afford to waste it. Planning your daily and weekly activities through a resource like Google Calendar can help you stay on top of all your obligations and identify pockets of free time that you can spend studying or simply running errands.

* Don’t forget about you. Many busy students say that with all of the competing demands on their time, it’s easy to forget about themselves. In your role as an employee, parent and student, it’s easy to forget that you need some “me time” to prevent burnout. Protect your sleep at all costs and don’t be afraid to schedule end-of-semester rewards for yourself. A massage, a nice meal out with family, a trip to the movies or even a round of golf can be just the thing you need to energize your spirit, so you can devote even more attention and passion to your schoolwork, your job and, of course, your family.

Finding balance between your home, work and school lives can be one of the most difficult tasks for adult students. But, as many can attest, it is possible. Apply the tips above and stick with it. The rewards will certainly be worth your efforts.

2018-06-04T10:01:00

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