Cut Hair, Not Ties

A short graduation film mixing comedy and drama with a snip of romance.

Synopsis

Nat, a hair academy student, is due to complete her final practical exam. Her hopes of doing well quickly shatter as she discovers who is modelling for her today - her ex-girlfriend Eliza whom she’s ghosted ever since their breakup a couple months prior.

Aware that Nat’s grade is directly dependent on her cooperation, Eliza misbehaves to bring out the confrontation between her and Nat that she’s been seeking since their split. She succeeds but not without Nat realising that Eliza’s hair now lies in her vengeful hands, and Eliza is forced to change tactics.

In the hubbub of scissors and hair dryers, Eliza tries to understand what happened, and just as she seems to get close to the answer her phone RINGS…it’s another girl!

Eliza runs after an insecure Nat as she reaches boiling point and opens up about the catalyst of the breakup - an unknown pair of pink underwear. Eliza denies all the accusations of cheating but fails to provide an alibi.

Back at Nat’s station, Eliza overhears another student’s conversation with his model, which helps her puts the pieces of the puzzle together and proves to Nat that the incident was simply a misunderstanding, and with the help of an accidental match-maker in the form of Nat’s teacher, the relationship seems to have a second chance.

Initial mood board for the film by Mathilda Kenny, our Director of Photography

Where is the money going?

The money raised will contribute both to the film’s production as well as future festival submissions.

We do have an initial fund from our university to get us off the ground but the funds raised through this crowdfund will be absolutely vital in maximising the film’s potential, contributing to all areas of the production such as the actors involved, Sound and, most notably, Production Design. Due to the setting lying at the heart of the film, getting the right location and dressing it appropriately is our major financial priority. Your additional help will enable us to secure the right location, which camera, light, and production design departments can use as a base to craft the unique, visual look for the film. 

One of our main struggles as student filmmakers is festival submission fees. A large proportion of the money raised will ensure that Split Ends finds a place at a range of Queer and comedy-orientated festivals, helping us to find our audience and share the story thus beginning our post-university careers with a kick-start in the right direction.

Lada (Our Writer)

I got the idea for the short while getting my hair cut at a hair academy, and was immediately attracted to the eccentric setting and its endless possibilities for comedy. Think the Devil Wears Prada meets Shiva Baby but they’re getting their hair done. Working in script as well as directing my own stories previously, being a part of this close-knit team is exciting in moving forward to see how this production unveils.

Barrett (Our Director) 

I’m a director from the University of Westminster, where I met Lada in 2021. Since then, we’ve collaborated on each other's films in Assistant Directing roles and have written a short film together in 2022. In that time, we’ve built a filmic language together that has culminated in being the writer/director duo on Split Ends.

My background is mostly dramatic (both on screen and behind the scenes!) having directed a mental health drama and a horror back to back. Split Ends is a delightful change to the brighter and less dreary tone of a queer comedy. This also came off the back of directing a satire comedy for the stage, where I built my skills when working with actors and is surely something I’d like to continue to progress in this short film

I loved the script for the situational comedy, but also for the characters. Having the two tell their side of the relationship, whilst also struggling to share the small space in front of the mirror together makes me so excited to work with the cast to craft these fun and three-dimensional characters.

Isla (Our Producer)

The combination of brilliantly witty humour with a whole bunch of heart drew me to Lada’s contemporary yet unique script. And with a director as passionate and talented as Barrett, I simply needed to see Split Ends become a reality. Having experience in writing/directing myself, working with others who share the same drive for films like this and the filmmaking process is such a privilege.

If We Can’t Reach the Goal

The money we raise will be vital in ensuring the film will be the best that it can be. Afterall, we don’t want to have to start selling our own hair to fuel this production; we only have so much.

How else could you help us?

Share the campaign, follow socials, and chat with your rich parents and friends about the project, pretty please.