...How To Snag Stuff With a Whip
There are few tools that can break the sound barrier while fetching the TV remote. But throw a whip right and its tip can travel 900 mph (producing a sonic boom), then curl back to snare the object of your desire. Anthony De Longis, who coached Harrison Ford for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, shows us how to lash out.
— Catherine DiBenedetto
1. Skip the toys.
Look for a 6- to 8-foot-long whip with a braided core. The best are made from kangaroo hide.
2. Take your stance.
Imagine you're straddling railroad tracks. The whip should travel parallel to the rails, and the target should be a bit closer than the length of your whip. Use caution: The tip can cut to bone.
3. Load and lock.
Stretch the whip out in front of you, arm extended and pointed at the object. Now yank your hand up to 12 o'clock. The whip will fly over your hand and unravel behind you.
4. Throw down.
When you feel a tug, lower your forearm — easy now, let the whip do the work. It'll roll forward just to the side of your body. As it unfurls, squeeze the handle.
5. Crack and drag.
The tip will extend just beyond the target; as it recoils, it'll wrap itself around the object. Pull the remote toward you slowly. Next lesson: cracking open a beer.
...How To Patent an Invention
You may be cool with open-sourcing your billion-dollar idea, but if you want investor capital, you're going to need a patent. First, you must prove to the US Patent and Trademark Office that your invention is new, useful, and functional. Search the USPTO.gov database, trade journals, and any other relevant sources for "prior art" — that's patent-speak for gizmos that already use your idea. Some similarity is OK, as long as your advances are big enough that an expert in the field wouldn't find them "obvious." Then file an application describing your invention and specifying what the patent will cover. Include a detailed rendering. You'll pay a fee ranging from $220 to $330, depending on the type of invention. Approval can take years, but your IP will then be knockoff-proof for two decades. By that time, you'll be filthy rich and happy to share.
— Mathew Honan
...How To Win an Oscar Pool
Coming up empty on Oscar night hurts — especially when it's you losing Best Performance in an Office Pool. Awards-show guru Tom O'Neil and pro gambler Big Al McMordie reveal how to take home the gold.
— Mario Aguilar
Time your vote
Studios craft their hype campaigns to peak in January and early February, when most Academy members cast their ballots. Whoever's hot then will win.
Halve the odds
Of the 10 nominees for Best Picture, eliminate the five (or more) not also up for Best Director. The same movie has won both awards in 25 of the past 30 years.
Follow the pros
For more obscure awards like Best Animated Short, defer to industry insider sites (like Variety.com), which tend to be savvy about low-profile categories.
Spot the upset
Now separate yourself from the pack with a bold pick. The Supporting Actor categories are the place for upsets. Put your money on a promising long shot.
