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diebullydie · 3 months

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Cinema Australia: Interview with Nick and Nathan Lacey

Nick and Nathan Lacey’s excellent short film, Die Bully Die, has won the $7,000 Dendy Live Action Short Award at the 71st Sydney Film Festival.

Die Bully Die follows Max (Matthew Backer), who encounters his high-school bully, Adam (Drew Weston), 17 years later in a fancy restaurant, where Max’s grudge against Adam manifests in horrific ways. This LGBTQ+ comedy horror film explores the lasting effects of queerphobic bullying and the broader theme of overcoming trauma.

The film draws from screenwriter, producer, and actor Matthew Backer’s personal experiences of being bullied for being gay at his all-boys Catholic high school in Brisbane. The story gains depth from Matt’s real-life encounter with one of his bullies, now an openly gay man, which inspired the film. Matt collaborated with his best friend, Drew Weston, to write Die Bully Die, capturing the raw emotion and lasting impact of their experiences.

The film is directed by Nick and Nathan Lacey, who previously collaborated with Matt on the award-winning short film Ghosted, which you can read more about here. Produced by the Lacey Brothers, Matthew Backer, Drew Weston, and Nicole Thorn, Die Bully Die continues the team’s tradition of creating impactful films.

Nick Lacey has produced and directed for major Australian television networks and production companies, while Nathan Lacey has extensive experience in post-production for major studios. Their short films have been selected for numerous film festivals, with Ghosted receiving multiple awards and nominations.

Die Bully Die not only highlights the personal struggles of its creators but also resonates universally with audiences facing similar challenges.

Cinema Australia caught up with Nick and Nathan following their award win at the Sydney Film Festival.

Matthew Backer in Die Bully Die.

“Anyone who has been bullied before knows how nightmarish that experience can be and we wanted to depict that in a very visceral way.”

Interview by Matthew Eeles

What drew you to Matthew Backer and Drew Weston’s Die Bully Die script?

Nathan: The script appealed to us for a number of reasons. We thought it was a really interesting way to explore the effects of childhood trauma and the impact that has on you as an adult. We thought this was a very relatable theme and knowing it was based on Matt’s own experiences growing up made it even more important to us. We also really appreciated that although the film depicts a very serious subject, the script didn’t take itself too seriously. We thought the blend of horror and comedic elements throughout gave the script an original tone and we were really drawn to that as directors.

Nick: It was very exciting to read the script through the first time. I remember thinking there were so many areas where we as directors could expand creatively on and develop a strong visual and artistic through line to encompass the film, and even now a year on I still get excited thinking about the script. We felt the thematic elements and melding of genres really played to our strengths as filmmakers and was a great opportunity to put together a really exciting and thought-provoking piece.

Not only do Matthew Becker and Drew Weston star in the film, they also co-wrote and co-produced as well. As directors, what is it like to work with two other people who have so much creative investment in a film?

Nathan: We were fortunate to work with Matt on our previous film Ghosted, so there was already a good foundation there going into this film. Matt and Drew approached us with this script because they trusted our vision and we really appreciated that. We encouraged both of them to come on as producers early on and working with them from an early stage was very helpful as it meant we could spend a lot of time workshopping the script with them in pre-production which really paid off when we got on set.

Nick: We were delighted when Matt and Drew agreed to come on board to produce. We felt especially with the story being so personal to Matt, it was imperative to have them stay on in a producing aspect also. For first-time producers, they took to the challenge and were great at fitting into our working process alongside our other producer Nicole Thorn. Myself and Nathan believe the best way of getting great onscreen content is having a great atmosphere on set, and Matt and Drew really embodied this which made the on set experience very enjoyable.

Matthew Backer and Drew Weston on the set of Die Bully Die.

While Die Bully Die is not a direct horror film, you seem to enjoy injecting horror into real life situations. Why is that so important to you?

Nick: Horror as a genre is such a captivating and encompassing medium to work with as filmmakers. It is hardwired into us as creatures to be cautious, aware and prioritise self-preservation – thematically and tonally, horror is so relatable. Our minds are the best creatives when it comes to our fears and terrors – be it a bump in the night, or something seemingly normal that terrifies us on an individual level, to us it’s about how to engage that primal voice in your head that spells out WARNING. How fantastic is it to get to play with that notion, bend reality a little and dip into the dark recesses of the mind when dreaming up scenarios or scenes – What if this happened? What if that stranger is some kind of deranged psycho? How can we bring an audience on a journey here, inject a little of those emotions of terror into a seemingly normal environment or situation – the more normal or mundane, the more contrast for a horrific event or situation to move an audience.

Nathan: We both love horror, so integrating it into our work seems to come pretty naturally. For this film specifically, we saw opportunities to lean into this, particularly when we see young Max bullied in the school bathroom. We wanted this scene to feel like a nightmare so the audience would understand the sheer terror that Max experienced at school. Anyone who has been bullied before knows how nightmarish that experience can be and we wanted to depict that in a very visceral way.

I love the use of mirrors to reflect the past in Die Bully Die. Can you talk us through that creative choice, and the challenges of filming with so many reflections?

Nathan: The mirrors were definitely challenging! The restaurant and bathroom locations we used in the film were both lined with mirrors. We never originally planned to integrate mirrors so prominently in the film but once we saw these two locations we knew we could utilise them to great effect. It was something we spent a lot of time discussing and we felt helped to visually reinforce the power Max’s past has over him throughout the film. Our DP, Patrick Coe, and gaffer, Josh Lafou, did a great job to ensure switching setups was seamless and all lighting and camera gear was hidden from any reflections in shot.

Nick: I think that’s one big takeaway from making short films in the past, with independent films you are more often than not at the mercy of the factors and environments you’re working in, and often, with limited resources you need to decide which challenges to focus on and what to accept and move on with. I feel sometimes constraints can be massively helpful in forcing you to think creatively and differently in your approach to filmmaking – turning constraints into advantages. Rather than try and shy away from reflections, we embraced them and made them a focal point. It was a fun challenge to work out how to shoot everything in the way we desired in a very reflective location – myself and Nathan spent two weeks just discussing where best to seat our two leads. We decided to embrace the mirrors as a focal point to suit the story that focuses so much on the past and looking back on past events – with everything revolving around the decision from there we shotlisted the entire film in an afternoon.

Die Bully Die.

The visual effects in Die Bully Die are seriously impressive, and the film is all the better for it. It would be an injustice to talk about Die Bully Die without mentioning its visual effects artists Kyan Woodpower and Scott Brice who have worked on films like Monkey Man, Alien Covenant and Three Thousand Years of Longing respectively. What do these two bring to a project like this?

Nathan: We’re very fortunate to have worked with a team of amazingly talented individuals on this film and Kyan and Scott were a big part of that. Complex visual effects require a lot of careful planning to pull off successfully so we relied on their input early on in order to ensure the visual effects looked as realistic as possible. Their input was invaluable in how we approached filming certain shots. There were quite a few visual effects shots in this film, many of which you wouldn’t even realise.

Nick: We’ve worked with Kyan on every film we’ve made so far and he is probably the most likeable and easy-going person you’ll ever meet, alongside being extremely talented. A cohesive team coming together with a shared mindset requires so many intangible and unspoken factors happen to be successful, and aside from just being brilliant – he makes that creative and collaborative process so much easier by just being a joy to be around. Scott’s work is incredible, and he came with such a depth of experience and creativity. We live in a strange world with this film where you get excited over things like gore and blood being convincing and shocking, and the flair he brought to the film with little touches really adds to making the world feel real.

You both obviously share an incredibly creative synergy. What do you enjoy the most about working with each other?

Nathan: Being brothers, we already have such a shorthand with one another so that helps a lot when we’re working on a film, as there is usually a lot going on. We’re very aligned from a creative standpoint but we do try and challenge each other creatively and I think through that process we bring the best out in each other. Ultimately having that level of trust with a creative partner ensures we are united and focused on our goal of making the best film we can.

Nick: Our relationship has sustained every high and low you can imagine through just knowing each other for our entire lives, but being siblings is an unbreakable bond which helps when it comes to the practicalities of creating films. We share the high points and embrace the difficulties of filmmaking, which is important in the creative process. We’re not afraid of offending or trampling one another if we think an idea or angle may not work, and when a great idea is poised usually the other builds on that and we are able to elevate the idea into a fluid construct of a film. With each project we do together there is a greater understanding and synergy, which almost becomes like two bodies one brain at times – which is a really wonderful feeling, when you’re in your groove creatively and firing on all cylinders and your creative partner is in the exact same headspace. Nathan will often say something in creative meetings and the first words out of my mouth will be, “I was just about to say that” or vice versa.

Drew Weston in Die Bully Die.

I loved your previous film, Ghosted. How much have you both grown as filmmakers since that film?

Nathan: Thanks! Hopefully we’ve grown a lot as filmmakers. Every film we make is an opportunity for us to challenge ourselves both creatively and technically and Die Bully Die was no different. We worked with a bigger budget and crew on this film than Ghosted and had scenes involving a lot of sfx and vfx work as well, so there were many fun challenges for us to solve. Making films is definitely the best way to continue growing as a filmmaker and we certainly feel like we’ve grown even more since shooting this film.

Nick: I think with every film and every opportunity to hone our particular style and tastes, it’s just made us more confident with our decisions and direction. In each of our shorts we’ve taken calculated and well-thought out creative risks in our approach to aesthetic, character and story which I feel has been imperative in developing our skillsets as filmmakers and also readying us for long form films. Die Bully Die is another step forward for us in our storytelling careers and has built on what we’ve learnt so far and is a showcase of what we will continue to do in the future.

What does the future look like for The Lacey Brothers? Is there a feature film on the horizon?

Nick: We’re currently developing our first feature film, a psychological horror. It’s our current focus and next project for us in our careers.

Keep an eye on cinemaaustralia.com.au for upcoming Die Bully Die screenings.

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qnewsau · 7 months

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Queer your screens this Mardi Gras

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/queer-your-screens-this-mardi-gras/

Queer your screens this Mardi Gras

A film festival has been a staple in the life of LGBTQIA+ Sydney since the very first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and this year is no exception.

Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ film festival began in 1978 as the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and was run by the Australian Film Institute, growing into the Sydney Gay Film Week by 1986.

Queer Screen took over the event in 1993 and has been running it for the community ever since as the Mardi Gras Film Festival.

This year the festival will span 25 days, with both in person and online screenings throughout Mardi Gras and into March.

 From February 15 to 29, Sydney will witness a diverse program of 161 films and events across 77 distinct programs.

For those who prefer to join the conversation from home, Queer Screen will offer a curated on-demand program available as an encore from March 1 to 11.

The festival will kick off with British neo-thriller FEMME, starring Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and George MacKay, which follows a drag queen who is given the opportunity to take revenge following a homophobic attack.

Down Low, starring Zachary Quinto and written and starring Lukas Gage, is a hilarious black comedy about a sex worker and his client and the antics that ensue when they have to hide a dead body.

To close the festival Housekeeping for Beginners by Macedonian Australian filmmaker Goran Stolevski will have its Sydney premier, and explores the importance of chosen family.

The film won the Queer Lion at last year’s Venice Film Festival and tells the story of a woman who finds herself compelled to raise her girlfriend’s two daughters.

As their individual wills clash, a heartwarming story unfolds about an unlikely family’s struggle to stay together.

Throughout the festival, viewers will enjoy Australian and international premieres, Aussie-centred showcases and 4K restorations of original films from the 1980s and 1990s.

As always, the Mardi Gras Film Festival will be showcasing as many queer stories as possible, ranging from drag performers, stories from gender queer and non-binary filmmakers, and events from queer history.

This year Queer Screen will hold its first ever event at the Sydney Opera House with Music from Queer Film being performed by the Sydney Cello Quartet in the Playhouse Theatre with music from iconic queer films such as Priscilla: Queen of the Desert and Moonlight.

The festival will also feature a special sing-along screening of The Sound of Music, presented with The Sisters and Brothers of The Order of Perpetual Indulgence Sydney and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir.

This year’s festival will span nine venues across Sydney including Event Cinemas (George Street and Hurstville), The Ritz Cinema (Randwick), Dendy Cinemas (Newtown), the Hayden Orpheum (Cremorne), the Westpac OpenAir Cinema, the Bearded Tit (Redfern) and the Sydney Opera House.

The festival brands itself as “ready to start a conversation” in 2024, and encourages the audience to indulge in good old fashioned discussion around the films being showcased.

“The theme [this year] focuses on films that start conversations. People will be keen to discuss and dissect them as soon as the credits start to roll,” explains Festival Director Lisa Rose.

“There’s so much to sink your teeth into, including several that will inspire lively debate.”

“On behalf of Queer Screen, I extend my heartfelt thanks to all of our partners, whose support has a direct and positive impact on filmmakers and audience members alike,” says Queer Screen Co-Chair Abs Osseiran.

The State Library of NSW will also be offering some panel discussions during the festival for viewers looking to get more of an insight into the films on show.

-Tickets can be purchased via www.queerscreen.org.au

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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thetoxicgamer · 1 year

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Dota 2’s greatest competitive record in danger after Team Secret fumble

After Team Secret's most recent setback in Tour Three of the Dota Pro Circuit Western Europe season, a streak spanning the entire history of competitive Dota 2 is in danger of ending. After a slow start to Tour Three, the reigning TI runner-ups were needing wins over Tundra Esports and Quest Esports on June 2 to keep their Division I hopes alive, but subsequent 1-2 series losses spelled doom for the European outfit. While Secret would finish with more match wins than both D1 Hustlers and Entity, their 1-6 record would mean a dead-last finish and relegation into Division II. But crucially, without a spot at June 29’s Bali Major, Team Secret are likely going to fall short of the DPC points required for an invitation to Valve’s The International 2023—putting captain Clement “Puppey” Ivanov’s TI appearance record in jeopardy. Puppey’s reign over The International began with NAVI in 2011, with the Estonian juggernaut switching organizations to Team Secret in 2015. There, he has remained since—a full 3,204 days on since the move—but has yet to taste victory at TI since his win with Dendi and co. all those years ago. The NAVI team stand with Gabe Newell, Valve CEO, holding a giant cheque after winning The International 2011. He is the only player to have attended every single version of TI, with 2022’s second place the closest he’s been to the Aegis of Champions. Puppey, alongside his Counter-Strike counterpart in Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen, are the only two players to attend every pinnacle tournament in the two major Valve esports. While details surrounding the last chance qualifier are not known at this time, Puppey’s TI appearance streak isn’t over just yet. Team Secret will, however, have to do it the hard way—through the open bracket of the toughest Dota region on the planet. It wouldn’t be the first time a team qualified through an open bracket to make TI. Famously, many fans will point to OG’s miraculous run in 2018, where the squad was forced through the European open bracket to TI before overcoming all on their way to the trophy lift over PSG.LGD. Team Spirit did their best imitation of OG’s run in 2021, needing to work through the Eastern European qualifier to qualify for the pinnacle tournament. Spirit would go on to defeat the likes of Puppey’s Team Secret and PSG.LGD to win the event and the record prize pool with it. June 29 sees the Bali Major begin, with Team Spirit likely needing to wait until late July before beginning their last-ditch effort to save Puppey’s record. Read the full article

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invisibleinkpen · 2 years

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The 5 Best Derma Rollers for Your Smoothest Skin

We love a good at-home beauty treatment—especially when it involves skincare. Over the years, we’ve tried everything from dermaplaning to pore vacuuming in the pursuit of a smooth, glowy complexion. One we’ve yet to experiment with? Derma rolling. Although hundreds of tiny needles may seem like the last thing you want to put near your face, derma rolling, also referred to as microneedling, has shown promise for a plethora of skin benefits, from rejuvenation to acne treatment. We turned to two derms to see what all the hype is about—and whether it’s safe.

What Are Derma Rollers?

Derma rollers are handheld tools that use tiny needles to puncture the outermost layers of your skin. This creates a controlled injury, prompting your body to start healing and resulting in smoother skin (more on that in a sec). Though they're traditionally administered as an in-office treatment by a trained practitioner, derma rollers have become a popular choice for many at-home users, too.

How Do Derma Rollers Work?

“A derma roller works by breaking the top layer of a person’s skin in order to build collagen and elasticity,” explains Jeanine Downie, a board-certified, New Jersey-based dermatologist and co-host of TheGist.

“This minimally invasive technique involves passing a series of very fine needles over the skin, creating micro-injuries, which trigger new collagen and elastin synthesis as the skin begins to naturally repair itself,” adds Dendy Engelman, M.D., of Shafer Clinic in New York. “These micro-injuries also create channels that allow the active ingredients from your skincare products to penetrate deeper into the skin, resulting in better product efficacy.”

Though microneedling can certainly improve the appearance of some scars and wrinkles, according to Engelman, there are limitations. “It only works on more superficial scars and wrinkles, and does not work on the deeper scars," she says.

Are They Safe To Use At Home?

Sure, they look intimidating (kinda like a mini medieval torture device, TBH), but they can be safe to use at home, depending on how you use them—and how often. “In my opinion, they can be harmful if used aggressively," Downie says. "I’ve seen a lot of infections and spread of cold sores that end up causing scarring in some cases. But when people use them once a month lightly and do not have unrealistic expectations, they are fine to use."

Engelman adds: “Piercing the skin by any means creates an open channel...thereby increasing your chances of getting an infection. ... If you’re doing it at home, make sure to use sterile tools every single time.”

What to Look for in a Derma Roller

There are many types of derma rollers on the market, all of which have different benefits. Here are a few things to consider:

Needle Type: The vast majority of derma rollers come with either titanium needles or stainless steel ones. While titanium is more durable and has longer-lasting sharpness, stainless steel is more sterile and sharper overall. Either way, both materials will perform as intended.

Needle Length: Most derma rollers available for home use range from .25 millimeters (mm) to 1mm. In general, the shorter the needles, the gentler they are and the more often you can use them. A .25mm derma roller, for instance, can be used every other day, while a .5mm device should be used around once a week. One millimeter derma rollers should be used every two weeks. The length of your needle may also be determined by your skincare goals . Smaller needle lengths are ideal for enhancing the absorption of products, while longer lengths are needed to help with dark spots, wrinkles and scarring. Use your best discretion, and make sure to give your skin a break between sessions.

How To Use Derma Rollers At Home

Begin with a clean face (you don't want any makeup, dirt or surface oils that could potentially clog or infect your pores when you create these micro-channels on your skin). We would also reiterate Engelman’s earlier point about using a clean tool. Sterilize the needles using isopropyl alcohol (80 percent or higher) and give them adequate time to air-dry (usually between ten to fifteen minutes) before every use. If you don’t have alcohol on hand, you can also submerge the roller head in boiling water for five minutes. (Again, let it air-dry before you get to rolling.)

When you're ready to start, choose a section of your face to concentrate on and roll your tool there vertically six to eight times in the same direction, lifting it between each pass. One you’ve covered your whole mug, repeat the process, except this time, roll horizontally. “Don’t apply too much pressure," advises Downie. She adds: "Use [it] intermittently, do not use [it] when you have active cold sores or acne breakout and avoid the area around your eyes entirely."

Ready to roll? Here are the 16 of the best derma rollers for every skin concern and budget.

1. Linduray Skincare Derma Roller

Best Derma Roller for Beginners

Why We Love It: Ergonomic handle, guided e-books

With an ergonomic handle for easy maneuvering and three included online e-book guides to walk you through the steps, this is a solid choice for anyone who wants to try microneedling without shelling out too much money upfront. (There’s also a 30-day customer satisfaction guarantee.) Note that the e-books should arrive in a separate email following your purchase.

2. Jenny Patinkin Derma Roller

Best Multi-Purpose Derma Roller

Why We Love It: Gorgeous design, dual use

In addition to being the most aesthetically-pleasing derma roller we’ve ever seen, this double-ended tool features a microneedling head on one side that you can use as part of your weekly skincare routine to enhance the absorption of your serums. (We like to pair ours with vitamin C for extra brightening.) There's also a rose quartz tip on the other end to massage away tension around your temples and fluid retention underneath your eyes.

3. Ora Face Dermal Roller

Best Derma Roller for Fine Lines

Why We Love It: Slightly longer needles

Packed with ultra-fine, .5-millimeter needles, we’d recommend this for more experienced users, since the penetration will be a little more intense. This also makes it a good choice for those who are targeting fine lines. At less than $40, it's a reasonable price for noticeable results, too.

4. Stackedskincare Micro Roller

Best Micro Roller

Why We Love It: Compact size, created by a derm

Created by aesthetician Kerry Benjamin, this roller is one of the OGs. It boasts shorter .2mm needles for less invasiveness and a narrow head that makes it easier to reach the contours of your face. “After using every other day for about a month (with hyaluronic acid), my skin texture is tighter, I have fewer wrinkles, and I can tell my pores are gradually shrinking,” wrote one reviewer.

5. Cosmedica Derma Roller

Best Cheap Derma Roller

Why We Love It: Good value, gentle operation

Equipped with 540 stainless-steel microneedles, this $12 derma roller holds its own against far pricier alternatives. In fact, it’s racked up nearly 70 5-star reviews from customers, who say that it’s easy-to-use, gentle and ideal for those who are new to microneedling.

If you care about any product. Click here: https://dermarollerbuy.com/

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mawso3athawa · 2 years

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How to Strengthen Hair and Promote Hair Growth, According to Your Individual Type

Article from Vogue

Stronger, healthier hair has always been a universal desire. But there’s no denying that the global pandemic, and all of the challenges that have come with it, has put a far greater emphasis on maintaining and achieving healthy hair.

“Since the pandemic, I have seen almost double the number of patients coming into the office for concerns of hair thinning,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai. Of course, this is due in no small part to Telogen effluvium, or TE, a stress-related shedding of the hair seen after emotional or physical stressors, that has been linked to COVID-19 as a side effect of the virus. “With so many people affected by this type of hair thinning, there has been a huge shift in our conversation and approach to our hair with emphasis on protection and strengthening of the hair itself.”

At the same time, New York dermatologist Dendy Engelman has seen patients with a newfound appreciation for their more natural, less processed lengths after foregoing regular haircuts, color, and treatments. “I think that ‘letting our hair go’ during the pandemic in a way made many of us see how damaging some of our regular habits are and also allowed us to press pause on them, which has caused a shift toward now repairing all of this accumulated damage with strength and growth treatments,” explains Engelman.

Bridgette Hill, certified trichologist and founder of Root Cause Scalp Analysis, saw the past two years as not just a wake-up call, but an opportunity. “The pandemic touched every human and forced a connection between health and hair,” says Hill. “Prior, I believe our industry often minimized the body-beauty connection because it comes across as too new age or too esoteric, keeping everything to external fixes. The influx of hair shedding and scalp conditions surfacing is allowing hair health to be discussed in an intellectually, scientific way versus a [purchase-for-an-immediate-gratification] way.”

With a holistic mindset, the pros explain how to strengthen your hair according to hair type (fine, medium, or coarse).

How to Strengthen Fine Hair

Fine hair is the most delicate and fragile hair type. “When hair is fine, that means the diameter of each strand is very small,” says Engelman. “This leaves the hair feeling very soft and lightweight, but also more prone to breakage and more difficult to style due to lack of volume.” Those with finer hair might find that their hair gets more greasy than other hair types, and wash more often because of it. In terms of cleansing, Hill says clay- and oat-based shampoos are great for frequent shampooers fighting oil. “They will help regulate oil production while not stripping the skin barrier or microbiome,” she explains of popular formulas like Christophe Robin's Cleansing Volumizing Paste or L'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Extraordinary Clay shampoo.

WATCH

Chloe Grace Moretz Does Her Off-Duty Beauty Routine

Hydration, by way of weekly deep conditioning treatments and daily leave-ins, is also key. “Fine hair can easily become dry and brittle, and break easily if not conditioned properly,” explains Isfahan Chambers-Harris, a biomedical scientist, trichologist, and natural hair expert. That being said, she advises people with finer hair to avoid heavy treatments and styling products, which can make hair look greasy and weigh strands down. To gently promote strength and elasticity, both Chamber-Harris and Hill recommend having water-based products, like R+Co's Get a Grip detangling spray and Moremo's cult-favorite Water Treatment, in the mix to naturally aid in detangling and keep hair more hydrated.

If heat styling is part of your routine, Hill says investing in quality tools, like the Dyson Supersonic or Airwrap Complete Styler, which harnesses an aerodynamic technology to reduce heat, will pay dividends. “It’s been a game changer in elevating the meaning of what it truly means to reduce heat, which assists with retaining the health of the microbiome and fine hair fiber structure,” says Hill of the innovative tools.

Another key factor for finer textures is fighting damage before it happens. “Prevention from breakage is important because unlike your skin, which can regenerate itself, hair breakage is irreversible,” says executive director of product development for Oribe, who helped formulate the brand's new Hair Alchemy collection, which is designed to protect and strengthen inherently weak hair with a potent blend of chia seed, plant-based protein, bio-fermented bamboo leaf, and hyaluronic acid. If you're looking improve hair growth, Engelman recommends Nutrafol, which uses highly concentrated botanical ingredients to aid in every step of the hair growth cycle, and “strengthens hair from the inside out.”

Oribe Hair Alchemy Resilience Shampoo

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Oribe Hair Alchemy Resilience Conditioner

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Seed Phytonutrients Volume Shampoo & Conditioner

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NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Volume Shampoo & Conditioner Duo

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Hair Growth Capsules

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Oribe Hair Alchemy Fortifying Treatment Serum

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Moremo Water Treatment Miracle

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How to Strengthen Medium Hair

Medium hair is the most common hair type. Not as fragile as fine hair, and easier to style, it’s also the most forgiving, says Zeichner. “It is not too dry or too brittle and not too thin that little amounts of shedding will have a significant impact on density,” he explains. Still, medium hair can be “susceptible to over-styling, high heat tools, and improper techniques,” stresses Engelman. For Hill, strengthening medium hair is all about taking a dual approach. “The most important rule is ensuring that both moisturizing properties, as well as protein properties, are incorporated into the hair care routine to assist with retaining the structure and health of the hair fiber,” says Hill, who is a fan of Dr. Barbara Sturm's Molecular Hair mask for targeted hydration with shea butter and hyaluronic acid, and Aestelance Protein Mask, which blends silk proteins with fatty acids and seaweed extract. For further defense, experts refer to the pro-beloved, at-home bond-building Olaplex treatment as “hair insurance”—and for good reason. “It contains an ingredient that helps rebuild damaged bonds between keratin in the hair to help strength in the hair shaft,” explains Zeichner.

In addition to supporting hair health with regular shampoo and conditioning, Hill advises medium-haired clients to extend blow outs and heat-styled styles by sleeping on satin and silk pillow cases, reduce chances of breakage by investing in natural boar bristle styling brushes, and use lightweight leave-ins, such as Augustinus Bader's or Crown Affair's recently launched formulas, on the last inch or two of the ends 2-3 times a week. “A drop goes a long way,” says Hill.

Oribe Gold Lust Shampoo and Conditioner Set

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Olaplex Bond Maintenance Trio

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NatureLab Tokyo’s Clarifying Scalp Scrub

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Better Not Younger Superpower Hair and Scalp Liquid Serum & Comb Set

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Balancing Scalp Serum

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Alodia Scalp Therapy Kit

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How to Strengthen Coarse Hair

Coarse hair is larger in width, and has a lot of natural body. “Coarse hair tends to be textured, meaning it usually ranges from loose waves to tight coils, and can also be more prone to dryness than other types,” explains Engelman. “This type of hair is the hardest to penetrate, making it very important to look out for products that provide deep penetration to reach the scalp and provide results.” And really, it can’t be stressed enough: Scalp care is all the more important when it comes to thicker, coarser hair. “The thick density throughout the entire head makes it virtually impossible for any scalp to be exposed,” explains Hill. “Because of this density, it is important for coarser hair types to be more diligent with scalp care and shampooing.” Engelman agrees: “Since coarse hair does not need to be washed as often as thinner hair, it’s more prone to product buildup, which can affect hair growth and strength,” she says. To help lift oil and debris, she loves a gentle scalp massage with a scrub, like NatureLab Tokyo’s Clarifying Scalp formula. “It contains probiotic sake water that works to gently remove product build-up and promote scalp health and beautiful, shiny hair.” Another way to minimize accumulation is to incorporate scalp rinses, like Hill's go-to Sunday II Sunday Root Refresh, which is supercharged with apple cider vinegar and micellar water, in between shampoo days. And then for a more thorough cleanse, Hill likes to transfer shampoo into an applicator bottle so that she can apply it directly to the scalp without missing any spots. For a pre-shower treatment, Engelman loves Curlsmith's Bond Curl Rehab Salve, which is “really effective for repairing damage and strengthening hair by adding protein and moisture.” And then after leaving the shower, consider treating the scalp with a fast-absorbing, leave-on restorative scalp serum like Better Not Younger's Superpower Fortifying elixir, designed specifically for hair thinning over time with a potent cocktail of centella asiatica, ginger, apignenin, and oleanolic acid.

As far as the hair strands themselves, Hill underlines that coarser hair can be more resistant to chemical and coloring services. “It’s important not to be overly aggressive and inflict damage, but take major changes to hair in stages,” she explains. “This will retain its hair fiber quality.” Of course, coarse lengths needs next-level moisture to stay strong and silky. “Humectants and lipids will help maintain the strength of their hair,” says Hill, who recommends Philip Kingsley's deep conditioning Hair Elasticizer, which fights breakage with a combination of hydrolyzed elastin, a marine collagen that clings to hair's surface to improve body and add shine, and strengthening castor and olive oils, and Virtue's multi-tasking Healing Oil, made from keratin protein, vitamin E, botanical extracts, and Kalahari melon oil. For reversing damage caused by color treatments and heat styling, Zeichner recommends the K18 leave-in Molecular Repair hair mask, which is powered by a peptide that mimics the proteins in keratin of the hair. “Think of it like stucco filling in cracks in the hair itself to strengthen and repair the hair,” he says.

CurlSmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve

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Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo for Damaged Hair

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Sunday II Sunday Root Refresh

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K18 Biomimetic Leave-In Molecular Hair Repair Hair Mask

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Dove Amplified Textures Leave-in Conditioner

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Virtue Labs Healing Oil

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Oribe Moisture & Control Deep Treatment Masque

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#hair growing products #hair grow faster #hair care #Vogue #mawso3athawa

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vampireb1tez · 2 years

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Btw when I say Dendy, that’s just another name for my buddy/co-writer @kochinka!

Just to clarify so people aren’t confused! :3

#bitez does a talk

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yahoo201027 · 2 months

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July 19: Happy 55th Birthday to Voice Actress Courtenay Taylor, who provided the voices of the characters of the protagonist of the series, employee over at Gars’ Bodega alongside co-workers and friends Enid & Rad, classmate and best friend of Dendy, and son of Carol & Venomous/Laserblast as KO and the Turbonic Form filled with anger and other negative feelings as TKO on OK KO: Let’s Be Heroes; and the supporting/recurring character on the show as the girlfriend (and later wife as of the end of Season 6) as the Regular Show character of Starla.

#Voice Actress #Courtenay Taylor #OK KO Let's Be Heroes #OK KO #Regular Show #Cartoon #Animation #Fandom Birthday #July 19 Birthdays

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bearsonfilm · 2 years

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260 - Mystic River (w/ Julio from The Contrarians)

Join me as I accept a ride from strangers, on the mean streets of Bawston, and try unravel a murder, all while discussing Clint Eastwood’s 2003 crime thriller ‘Mystic River’ with the help of the wonderful Julio from The Contrarians!

Find Julio and his wonderful show on twitter @ContrarianPrime or on their website https://wearethecontrarians.com/

Mystic River is a 2003 American neo-noir crime drama film directed, co-produced and scored by Clint Eastwood, and starring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay Harden and Laura Linney. The screenplay, written by Brian Helgeland, was based on the 2001 novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane. It is the first film in which Eastwood was credited as composer of the score.

We Watched A Thing is supported by Dendy Cinemas Canberra. The best Australian cinema chain showing everything from blockbusters to arthouse and indie films. Find them at https://www.dendy.com.au/

If you like this podcast, or hate it and us and want to tell us so - You can reach us at [email protected]

Or,

Twitter - @WeWatchedAThing

Facebook - @WeWatchedAThing

Instagram - @WeWatchedAThing

and on iTunes and Youtube

If you really like us and think we’re worth at least a dollar, why not check out our patreon at http://patreon.com/wewatchedathing. Every little bit helps, and you can get access to bonus episodes, early releases, and even tell us what movies to watch.

Check out this episode!

#movie #movies #film #films #podcast #podcasters #podern family #funny

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diebullydie · 3 months

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Die Bully Die: Shooting to start in Sydney for a comedy horror short film with a bloody powerful message

youtube

Sydney-based actors Matt Backer (Play School, Wellmania, The Twelve) and Drew Weston (Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical) are set to star in Die Bully Die, a comedy horror short film they co-wrote together, which explores the lasting damage of high school bullying.

The film centres around Max (Backer), who has agreed to meet with his high-school bully Adam (Weston) at a fancy restaurant. It’s been 17 years since they last saw each other but Max hasn’t forgotten how Adam used to torment him relentlessly for being gay when they were teens. As the night progresses, Max’s grudge against Adam begins to manifest in increasingly macabre ways, bringing into question whether the horrific events are the result of karma, coincidence or a warped coping mechanism of Max’s.

The inspiration for Die Bully Die came from Matt Backer’s personal experience of being bullied at his all-boys Catholic high-school in Brisbane in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Collaborating with fellow actor and friend, Drew Weston, the script came together over the course of three weeks of intensive writing.

“High school was hell for me, as the homophobic bullying I experienced was intense and constant and it took so many years to unpick that damage,” Matt said.

Drew thought it was “really important to get this story down on paper as bullying and harassment are such universal topics and Matt’s experience with being bullied also speaks to so many varying types of experiences”.

“We thought it would be fascinating to explore that through the lens of a horror comedy and in our voice with our humour,” Drew said. “At its core, we wanted to craft a film that is about two people who simply want to heal their respective pasts: Max clearly needs to talk and process his trauma; Adam clearly needs to connect and be forgiven,” Matt and Drew explain.

“It couldn’t just be a straightforward revenge story because we wanted to thoughtfully explore themes like homophobia, gay shame, and ultimately how important forgiveness can be.”

Shooting will commence in September in Sydney and Matt and Drew are currently crowdfunding for the film via the Australian Cultural Fund.

“The film has moments that call back to old-school classic horror, so the use of in-camera special effects will be visually striking and hopefully shocking,” the writer-actor duo said.

The funds will go towards that, but also to shooting, catering, editing and post-producing with the aim of entering the film into the festival circuit upon completion, according to the funding page.

Die Bully Die will be directed by Nathan and Nick Lacey of Based Film, shot by DOP Patrick Coe and produced by Nicole Thorn, alongside Backer and Weston. Frequent creative collaborators, the team’s last project, Ghosted, was a Highly Commended Finalist for the Dendy Award for Australian Short Film Live Action at the 2022 Sydney Film Festival, and went on to screen at a number of Aussie film festivals. It also starred Matt Backer.

“We really love working with other up-and-coming Aussie screen creatives and being a part of showcasing their amazing talent and dedication to the arts,” said Matt and Drew.

They hope to inspire others through the film’s story to confront their own demons and embrace forgiveness as a path to self-love and acceptance. “And also, maybe make people laugh and gasp a little bit along the way too,” the creators add.

“We’re really leaning into the vibe of a 90s teen rom-com or horror flick so we’re hopeful that audiences have a blast with it as it’ll be one hell of a ride.”

Visit the ACF link here to support Die Bully Die and for further information and updates about the project.

#comedy #horror #film #movies #screenwriting #diebullydie #shortfilm #movie #sydney #australia #actor #bullying #bully #lgbt #lgbtq #queer #gay #filmmaking #matthewbacker #drewweston #Youtube

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