Actors Learn New Skills for Barbershop: The Next Cut

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Ice Cube and Cedric the Entertainer are reunited in “Barbershop: The Next Cut,” directed by Malcolm D. Lee. It’s been more than 10 years since our last appointment at Calvin’s Barbershop. Calvin (Cube) and his longtime crew, including Eddie (Cedric), are still there, but the shop has undergone some major changes. Most noticeably, the once male-dominated sanctuary is now co-ed. The ladies bring their own flavor, drama and gossip to the shop, challenging the guys at every turn.

But despite the good times, big laughs and camaraderie within the shop, the surrounding community has taken a turn for the worse, forcing Calvin and his friends to come together in an effort to not only save the shop, but their neighborhood.

With a script that seamlessly blends comedy with social commentary, the ensemble cast had to be on their toes during the shoot to make sure their characters came across as real…and really funny. To give the setting a sense of realism, director Lee added a special requirement to their preparatory homework for the film.

Not only did the key hairstylists on the movie prep the starring cast and ensure before-and-after looks of Calvin’s clientele, they also conducted on-site barber training essentials for the actors who had to convincingly wield clippers and razors on screen.

Says Regina Hall, “Malcolm wanted our styling techniques to be authentic, so we took tutorials. I already knew how to braid – I know some tricks of the trade from my own life – but I didn’t know how to hold the wrist when cutting hair. It has to be straight. There’s a way to hold the hand as you cut and section each piece. I wouldn’t say I now have the skills to test myself on anyone’s head, though. I think I’ll stick to flat-ironing.”

Reteaming with Lee after “Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins,” Hair Department Head Belinda Anderson led a team including key hair stylist Nikki Bell, barbers Brett Mayo and Tariq Ferguson, and stylist Vernice Samuels, who was primarily in charge of the on-site barber school.

Some of the cast appeared to take their lessons more seriously than others. As producer Robert Teitel observes, “A movie like this doesn’t work if you’re not having fun and creating this vibe. We had a great time and that’s part of the appeal, and it shows. The laughter on set was infectious and it just radiated around the room.”

Joking aside, instruction commenced for a week pre-production, with the actors truly invested in what they had to learn for their roles. Even returning stars took a refresher, perfecting the body language for a look of total ease and confidence at their chairs.

“One of the things I love about being an actor is that you get to learn different things,” says Common. “It was a real joy. I wanted him to teach me how to work a razor because I’ve been getting razor cuts for years. I’ve been bald for about 10 years, but I like my baldy freshly razor shaved and my beard tight. I feel better that way. A woman feels better when her hair is done. It’s just the nature of who we are.”

“People might not believe this but I learned how to do a weave in about 15 minutes,” says another gifted first-timer, Nicki Minaj. “I’m actually very proficient; I was literally sewing a weave on somebody’s braid.” Although, she concedes that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing: “I don’t want to act like I’m that good, because then people are going to ask me to do their weaves. No!”

Barbershop: The Next Cut opens in theaters April 15.