Experiencing Interruptions?

First Cut Is The Cheapest

Ocean, a proud hair salon owner, is abashed when Rupert, an unkempt slacker, creates a stink over her flawed pricing system.

  • Melanie Kaklamanis
    Director
    Don't Pick Up, Queen of Spades
  • Melanie Kaklamanis
    Writer
    Don't Pick Up, Queen of Spades
  • Melanie Kaklamanis
    Producer
    Don't Pick Up, Queen of Spades
  • Mackenzie Warner
    Producer
    Don't Pick Up
  • Stephen Morgan
    Producer
    Don't Pick Up
  • Johnny Gingell
    Producer
    Queen of Spades
  • Rachel Michetti
    Key Cast
    "Ocean"
    Juliette in "What We Don't Say"
  • Austin Kovacs Dellow
    Key Cast
    "Rupert"
  • Amanda Wong
    Key Cast
    "Keeley"
    Alice in "Don't Pick Up"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 37 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 1, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    4,877 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16.9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Alternative Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    October 1, 2024
    World Premiere
    Best Film Finalist/Best Actress Winner
Director Biography - Melanie Kaklamanis

Melanie Kaklamanis is an award winning comedy writer/director. Her comedy short film "Don't Pick Up" won Best International Film at the Portland Comedy Film Festival and her comedy short "Queen of Spades" won Best Comedy in the super short category at the Alternative Film Festival. "First Cut Is The Cheapest" is her third short film. Melanie also has several screenplays in development and recently produced a black and white silent comedy short film that is currently in post-production.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

As with most of my ideas, the inspiration behind this film came during a moment of distress.

I was looking for a hair salon in a new neighborhood when I noticed several salons with signs advertising men's cuts at lower starting rates than women's cuts. As someone whose notoriously cheap when it comes to getting my hair cut, I found these signs frustrating. I cursed to myself, "Why do they always assume a man's hair is easier to cut? Why should I pay more if I only want a trim?"

All of a sudden the anger I was feeling drained away as a light bulb went off in my head, and the idea of this short film was born.