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Who’s Hiding Inside That Costume?

February 2, 2010 in General Costumes by Lara Burke

Costumes are a great way for celebrities to disguise themselves and go out in public. Just take the example of Toby Maguire. Monday’s Daily Dish blog posted a story about how Toby McGuire wears his super hero outfit away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi so he can entertain kids. “The actor keeps one of the web-slinging action hero’s costumes hanging in his wardrobe and reveals he has a tendency to don the one-piece bodysuit to surprise kids with a few Spider-Man stunts to keep himself in shape.” It will make you wonder the next time you see a superhero at a birthday party who is beneath the mask.

Several years ago, singer/songwriter John Mayer made a TV show. In one segment he is seen walking around the parking lot of the concert venue dressed in a Bear costume. His goal was to get the fans’ perspective and see what goes on in the parking lot before his concerts. He got some good insight and no one was the wiser.

Then again, some celebrities try to disguise themselves but stick out like a sore thumb. Look at Joaquin Phoenix. You can barely see his face beneath that Grizzly Adams beard of his and if you didn’t know him personally you’d never recognize him. He made the mistake of appearing on television with a face full of hair. Now his disguise is blown. But I guess it doesn’t matter because he seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth anyway.

If celebrities want to buy costumes that will keep them incognito, maybe Spiderman outfits and bear suits are not the best choices. The same can be said for hiding under big hoodies, behind ginormous sunglasses or wrapping your face with a wooly scarf which only make you look like you’re trying to hide.

To all you celebs out there I suggest you give up trying to hide. The paparazzi (who I agree are all scum) will find you no matter what you do so embrace the life you’ve chosen and save the costumes for the set.


Recreated the Look From the Movie Nine

in General Costumes by Lara Burke

 

Sexy costumes, sexy women.  With leading ladies like Penelope Cruz, Kate Hudson and Fergie Nine is all about sex appeal.  The sexy costumes during the dance numbers range from erotic lingerie to flapper style minis with a variety of high and low boots and spiked high heels.  To date, there are no “official” Nine costumes but here is how to create the look from the movie. 

“Famous film director Guido Contini struggles to find harmony in his professional and personal lives, as he engages in dramatic relationships with his wife, his mistress, his muse, his agent, and his mother in the movie Nine.”

You could wear a corset, garter and stockings a la Penelope Cruz if you dare but something more on the order Kate Hudson’s sexy black dance costume would be a real head turner too. Costume SuperCenter has many styles of costumes that resemble those worn by the dancers. Our selections, shown here total less than $100.  That’s a whole lot of sexy for a lot less than Kate’s designer costumes.


This is the Week of the Polar Bear Plunge

in General Costumes by Lara Burke

All across the United States Polar Bear Clubs are bracing for their annual icy dip. The Polar Bear Club, for those who don’t know, is an organization with clubs throughout the world who every year, usually between Christmas and New Year’s Day, hit the frozen beaches and lakes and happily plunge themselves into freezing waters.

Do they do this because they are crazy? Yes. But their craziness is in the name of charity. Most Polar Bears pay annual dues to belong to the club. The Annual Plunges are organized to raise money for charity but die hard Polar Bears meet regularly and some will frolic in frigid waters as often as once a week between November and April, so yes, they are definitely crazy.

Annual Polar Bear Plunges that are organized for charity are publicized locally through various news outlets and blogs. They are open for all spectators to watch in shock and awe. In return, spectators give a donation to charity with whom the Polar Bears have partnered. As if just stepping onto the beach in a swimsuit in January isn’t attention getting enough, many Polar Bears dress in costumes. Some don Santa hats, some come in more elaborate costumes.  The point is to draw attention to their cause and have a good time. Its all good fun, entertaining and worthy of a donation.

Look for a Polar Bear Plunge near you. Watch these frozen nuts (no pun intended) while you enjoy a hot cocoa on the beach and be sure to reach deep into your pockets. It gives new meaning to the phrase, “I’d pay to see that.”


Avatar is Cool!

in General Costumes, Uncategorized by Lara Burke

Avatar is cool! It’s an amalgamation of technology and creative genius. The concept, the creation, the passion and adventure; it sucks you in and swallows you whole. The 3D spectacle is a feast for your senses and a celebration of imagination. James Cameron is a master who puts it out there with no holds barred and come out a film making champion. Avatar, Cameron’s latest masterpiece is reportedly the most expensive movie every made coming in at a cool $500 Million. Not only is that millions more than Waterworld, Avatar is millions times better.

All of the reviews for Avatar have been remarkable. MTV Movie blog calls it the “jaw dropping adventure of the year,” adding, “”Avatar” takes a little time to suck you in but once you release yourself to it you are there and even if your brain is telling you to marvel at the effects, your heart will beg you to surrender to the story and characters.”

The technology behind this movie helps to create a magical universe. The Na’vi, planet Pandora’s indigenous habitants are blue beings created with the aid of motion capture, a technology that was not available yet when Cameron first conceived the film 10 years ago. The computer imaging and imagination that went into making Pandora a spectacular wonderland is the best that the industry has ever seen. The technology enables you to feel like their world is real and that you fly through the action. With the 3D and motion capture special effects being so realistic and the action so intense there have been reports of audience members getting motion sick and vomiting in the theater.

As with Cameron’s other blockbuster films, Terminator and T2, it’s only a matter of time before blue Na’vi Avatar costumes become available. The Avatar costumes are in development for 2010 Halloween and beyond. With ticket sales and other merchandising like costumes, Cameron stands to see Avatar break $1 Billion. That’s complete beyond reality, just like this movie.


Christ in Christmas – It’s About More Than Santa

in Holiday Costumes, Uncategorized by Lara Burke

This is becoming an increasing secular world in which we live. I’m not here to debate religion because the holiday season means many things to many different people. But Christmas is named after Christ so, if not for him (or the story of him), we would have no season of giving or gestures of peace on earth and good will toward men.

For the 2.1 billion Christians out there who acknowledge this holiday and the sacred event of Christ’s birth, it is a time of great joy. For them, celebrating the birth of the Son of God is the priority of Christmas. Santa Claus, presents, Christmas trees and all that other fun stuff is secondary to the real meaning of Christmas, the birth of a savior.

Christian children learn the story of the birth of Jesus from the youngest age at home then in church or Sunday school. An important tradition in many churches and religious schools is the annual performance of a Christmas Pageant. In a Christmas pageant, children, and sometimes adults too, dress up in costume as Mary, Joseph and the three wise men as well as angels, shepherds and other spectators. The more special pageants even incorporate real animals into a living Nativity.


Pictures with Santa

in Holiday Costumes by Lara Burke

Malls, lines, looking for that perfect parking spot in order to buy that perfect gift, the holidays can be nothing but aggravation.  I’m sure almost no sane parent who could otherwise shop exclusively online would venture within 100 yards of a mall with kids in tow if not for that all important picture with Santa Claus. It’s worth the waiting and the whining to get that perfect picture that lasts a lifetime. But what happen when you wait and you wait only to find your child gets last minute stage fright and refuses to sit on Santa’s lap, or worse yet, flat out panics and pees their pants?

Fortunately, I have a friend in Hollywood who has worn almost every hat in the industry including the all important Santa hat.  As a former Santa, Jason Lassen offers some tips for getting the perfect picture with Santa Claus. They are paraphrased here:

One: Test the waters. What do you do before you go into a pool? You cautiously put a toe into the water to see if it’s to your liking. Think of visiting Santa the same way. From a safe distance, see if your child is curious about Santa. If he seems to be then…

Two: Move closer to Santa – and it’s better if you don’t acknowledge him unless the child acknowledges him first. Now the best thing is if the Santa knows well enough to also follow a scared child’s lead. If the child says nothing, Santa should also say nothing. I’ve seen many a Santa scare a nervous child from a distance just by saying, “Hello.”

Getting close to Santa is one thing, sitting on his lap is a whole different ball game.

Three: With your child in hand, stand next to Santa.  Good? Then…

Four: Kneel down next to Santa. Kid still not screaming? Moving on…

BONUS TIP – One parent should ALWAYS be at the ready. When I say at the ready, I mean that you have the camera framed up and finger on the button.

Five: Slowly – and I can’t stress this enough – slowly try placing your child on Santa’s lap and walk around in front of him. Hopefully your child will watch the parent who set them down and you’ll have a nanosecond where the child is on Santa’s lap, looking ahead for photos, and most importantly, not screaming. Don’t waste time, snap away. God love digital cameras!

There you have it. Easy. Take it slow and follow your child’s cues. You’ll get that perfect picture that will line the refrigerators of friends and family for years to come.

To read the Jason’s full blog on tips for the perfect picture with Santa as well as his other brilliant blogs on life in LA, visit Hollywood Clown.

 


Santa is Real to Those Who Believe

in Holiday Costumes by Lara Burke

Santa Claus is so much more than the man in the red Santa suit. He is a beautiful symbol of giving and spirit during the holidays.  Believe in his kindness and his joy. Believe in his optimism and his determination. By doing so, Santa will be alive and well in all of us. This Christmas let’s “keep it real” and ask, “What would Santa do?”

Santa would:

  • Do an anonymous good deed
  • Give to someone less fortunate
  • Let friends and family know they are loved and appreciated
  • Smile at everyone he sees
  • Make the most of each day
  • Try to see the nice in everyone and forgive some of the naughty
  • Lend a helping hand (and his tools) even if he didn’t feel like it
  • Go without something so a child could have more
  • Bring a meal to an elderly neighbor or sick friend
  • Spend more quality time with the kids
  • Invite the neighbors over even if it’s just this one time each year
  • Appreciate the riches in life that have nothing to do with money.

 

Santa Claus gives selflessly and expects nothing in return. His gift is the happiness his deeds bring to others. This season, consider being Santa Claus to friends, relatives, neighbors and strangers. A random act of kindness could make a world of difference to someone even if do doesn’t cost a cent. So this Christmas season do what Santa would do.


Let the Children Beleive for as Long As They Can

in Holiday Costumes by Lara Burke

There are many different views on the issue of Santa Claus. I have a friend that explained to her child since the age of 2 that Santa is a mythical character and a symbol of love and generosity during the holidays. But clearly explained that Santa Claus, the reindeer and the North Pole were nothing more than a make believe story.  On the opposite end of the spectrum, I know someone whose daughter believed in Santa Claus until she was in seventh grade and her parent did nothing to spoil the fantasy. They figured that you’re only a kid once and you need to hold on to the fantasy as long as possible. You have your whole adult life to deal with reality.

Keep the dream alive, even when they begin to question Santa’s existence. Here’s how:

  1. Make sure Santa personally answers their letter. Try to put something in the letter that your child thinks no one knows about them.
  2. At bed time, have your child put a special toy request in a note on the mantle. Tell them that if Santa has an extra one in his sack he’ll give it to you.  This works if you have access to a 24 hour store like a Wal-Mart and you don’t mind running out late at night (and spending some extra cash). If you are unable to find the exact item then get something similar and leave a note from Santa explaining why.
  3. Wrap presents from Santa in their own unique wrapping paper so they stand out from the other presents under the tree.
  4. Always eat the cookies and milk.
  5. Always leave carrots for the reindeer and make sure they are gone in the morning.
  6. I remember the sounds of reindeer landing on the roof and hiding under the covers so Santa would think I was sleeping. The reindeer sounds were my mom and dad tossing stones on the roof.
  7. Leave boot prints leading from the fireplace to the carpet. Before bed, vacuum the area from the fireplace to the tree, then put on snow boots and walk the area back and forth the boot prints will be visible. If you have hardwood or tile, a dirty boot print or two will do.
  8. Have Santa call the house. Recruit a friend or relative to call the house as Santa. Before they call, let them know what’s on your child’s Christmas list and let them know a naughty and nice thing your child has done recently.  Put their telephone number in your phone’s address book as Santa Claus so it will appear on your caller ID. Have Santa mention the naughty and nice stuff (he’s been watching) and that he has seen your child’s letter/list and is calling to double check it.
  9. Wear a Santa suit and get caught. Have mom wake the kids saying, “Santa’s here, come look, but don’t let him see you.” Lead them to safe distance and have Santa be lit by only the light of the tree. Some kids can easily spot dad in a Santa Suit so be careful that Santa is well covered with a Santa wig and beard. Quickly usher the kids back to their room so Santa can go back up the chimney or out the door.
  10. If you are confident they your child no longer believes then tell them that Santa’s spirit lives in all of us during the holidays. It reminds us to be kind, generous and joyful. Even though Santa is not a living person, he is very much alive in our hearts and our actions.

 

Help keep the dream alive. Some of these tips seem like a bit of effort but it’s worth it to see the wonder and amazement on your children’s faces. When their time comes to no longer believe they will have cherished memories of how their parents loved them so much that they went to such lengths to make them happy.


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