Meet Andrea Mona Bowman | Film/Television Hairstylist/Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Mona Bowman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea Mona, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m from a small city…North Lousiana called Shreveport Lousiana .

My background and upbringing impacted who I am tremendously.
My character from being raise in the Baptist church az a young woman with my grandmother. Gave me structure and Faith.

I was told by my mom I was a very determined and energetic child. That knew what I wanted and spoke what I felt.
She knew she just would have to nurture me to help me understand who I was gonna become a strong Black woman.

My mother was a school teacher 30+ so u know the structure and detail was a must in our home. You could never half do anything. Everything had to be completed and with your all put into it.

So my natural gift with my hands and creative brain it wasn’t hard for me to evolve in a business of creating.

I’m a Hairstylist/Hair Designer for television and film.

I fell into hair tring to help a cousin from a bad haircut she received. I was in the 7th grade. My heart was broken because she was cring so hard about her hair and all I wanted to do is help. I was always drawing and painting…even making pottery at that point in art class. So when she showed me the photo of what she wanted, I could see what needed to be done to get the look she desired.

I got some house scissor and lifted and angled and proceeded to shape and got a curling iron and styled it. JUST THE WAY SHE WANTED IT.
IT TURNED OUT GREAT… My family was in Ahhhhhhh. Because I didn’t have any formal training but I knew I could see it I could achieve it
Thats what my mom always taught me.

And that hair cut opened up me being ask to cut someone else hair…and another one…and then I became the neighbor Hairstylist for those that couldn’t afford to go to a licensed Hairstylist and I just did it for fun and to make people feel good.

My love for people came from my mom and her drive to educate low income and high risk kids in my neighborhood.
She was always a giving, loving to each of her students, no matter what.

And it was passed on to me.
So when I started my career in hairstyling by upbringing gave me the personality the love and passion to bring out each clients natural beauty…inside and out.

My first love was acting and performing (dance , plays, etc) was in me as well as a kid. I
t was a love that I pursued but life happened at 17 and I had to bury that dream. I always wanted to go after it but becoming a mother all responsibility is for your child.

So I took my gift of hair and placed all my heart in it to be the best I could be at it.
My love for film and TV merged together with hair. I was always creating.

I would do vintage waves and other trendy hairstyles on my clients cuz it made me think I was apart of a production. So I was given a nickname by clients…Mrs Hollywood. Because I was one of the first in my city to do long extentions and I gave that free flowing polished look. I always laughed because I was told by many (You need to do hair in tv and film)

And I would always reassure my clients they was super stars as well.

So I was good. Till hurricane Katrina came and pushed the film productions to North Lousiana in my city.

One day a Kevin Costner film was filming next door to the salon I was working in (BLESSED HANDS SALON) And I went outside and ask who did hair and the Production assistant pointed her out. I went and introduced myself and she was a very nice and polite lady and she said …You do hair?.. I said yes.. she said today is our last day but if I was to come back I will be in touch.
I was so excited… ny clients was also.
Then a co worker came and said…
You won’t do that…they wont call you back. Your not from LA.
And at that moment…. I knew then I was GONNA DO HAIR IN TV AND FILM.
I told her…WATCH ME DO IT

I went home and prayed and I was content in whatever I had to do for training I was gonna do it. and I did.

I was always about education because of my mom being a teacher
Her motto was .. whatever u do u learn and train and be the most knowledgeable and execute whats needed (put in th work) and watch the results u will get

And to this day I still apply that.
And I believe that it would happen.

8mons later I was called to my Pastor house on Easter Sunday. He had a guest at his house that his sister in law had invited over.

His sister in law had been an extra on a film and the guy (Mr Ken Walker) was from LA and had no family so she insisted he come for dinner with our church family.
Mr Ken was talking to my Pastor and mentioned that he was over the Hair Department and needed some good local Hairstylist.
My Pastor (Rev Joe R Gant) told him he needed to meet Me. I was one of the best Hairstylist in the city and I did alot of people at my church and in the ark-la-tex.

I go over to meet Mr Ken and we talked for 15min.
He stop me while I’m talking about hair.
He asks ne
Have u ever had a situation when u know someone is the one.
I told him yes… only a couple of time but I know the feeling
He says to me…YOU ARE THE ONE IM LOOKING FOR TO HELP ME on this film.

He says: its a chance of a lifetime.

I gave him my info and he told me he would be in touch.
AND LOW AND BEHOLD HE DID CONTACT ME FOR WORK ON THE FILM.

Hired me for a fulltime postion on the film (The Great Debaters) . But he knew i didn’t have any experience so He pulled me in on the show that My Pastor’s sister in law was an extra background actor on, so I could get some experience it was called (Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins)…

It worked great because I learned everyday I was at work.
That kind of training built me to be tge Hair Designer I am today.
Learning to apply and execute with little or no time made me strong
And that comes from the structure and foundation my mother and my grandmother gave me to be successful in anything I DO.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a TV/Film Hairstylist/Hair Designer

I do hair and design looks for major film and television productions.
I have 15years in the film and TV industry., but been a professional Hairstylist for over 20years. I did 20 years flat in the salon.

Az a film and TV Hairstylist your duties are to follow the look of the shows hair dept head (Hair Designer) of the Director or showrunner. To make sure that the looks are period appropriate or scene appropriate.

Az a film and television Hair Designer your are responsible for developing all the looks of each character. Making sure they looks are Period appropriate and scene appropriate.

U work hand and hand with the directors/ Show runner/Producers making sure that the Character is developed and look is making the story some to life.
You have to read the script and research based on the what it says…Develop the Characters.

For period films or films that are based on a real person..the goal is the make sure its authentic in all hair designs.

In the film/TV industry having a great skill set of your craft ,to be hardworking ,to listen and execute what your told and to have a good and friendly personality.

I have allowed my work to speak for me over the years.
I train…I research…I keep an open mind and listen on every job that I am given the opportunity to do.

If im the Dept head….or just doing back ground artist in a fil the quality of work I bring is what is needed and ask for those characters.

Anything in life has its challenges I try to keep an open mind and understanding of what I have to do to achieve any goal I pursue.
So for me it about execution till the job is done and work thur the things that may come with it.

Long hours…out in intense elements working with people with bad attitudes or bad character…people that don’t respect the craft.. cant make alot of events with friens and family are some of the many things we have to factor while working

But when u count the cost of any job u will have to sacrifice to be the best and make the best of your time to earn a living.

I have many proud moments of profession I have.
I get to make characters (some real people some not)
I get to travel
I get to see the development of a film or show (I’m a big fan of TV and film before I started working in it..so im still intrigued)
I get to meet new people
I get to see my work on television or in a film
I have been Nominated for awards
(Emmy Nominated and Guild Nominated)
I get to train others
I get to mentor and inspire
These are some of many things I’m proud of in the profession I’m in.

I have learned sooooo many lessons and I share with any Hairstylist or make up artist that wants to pursue a career in Television and Film

1) TRAIN IN YOUR CRAFT … EDUCATE AND EXECUTE IT WITH GOOD TIME
Film and TV u have to be good at what u do…but it can’t take you all day to do
Time is money and a production is one that work on having things done in a high pace
So learn to be able to be creative but fast with it

2)LISTEN …FOLLOW DIRECTIONS
Don’t do things your not asked ot told to do
Follow the leadership guidelines
Its a reason why they tell u yo do something a certain way
Even if it dont make sense to you…JUST LISTEN… ITS SO MANY MOVING PARTS IN MAKING A FILM OR TV SHOW

3)COME TO WORK WITH THE ATTITUDE TO WORK
Be polite and have your best foot forward to interact with people .

My story is simple. I love to inspire people form small cities and walks of life yo know that it dont matter where your from. With Faith…hardwork…and training will take you where your hearts desire.
I’m a true example of it.
U will attract what u put out.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Atlanta… before covid I like to walk and hike
So any of the area parks and trails

Cascade springs Nature Preserve
Wolf creek multi use trail
Henry Mills Falls
Stone Mountain

If my friends and family would come to visit.
I would take them to eat…..eat and eat. And shopping.

I love food

I live off of camp creek so I would take them to
Gocha’s Breakfast Bar (my favorite )
Milk and Honey Restaurant on Cascade
Waffle House
Old Lady Gang
Arize Breakfast cafe
GutBusters
Juicy Crab
Bella’s
Envegan
Just to name a few places

Shopping
Any Mall
Lenox
Abhor

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to THANK GOD…because of my Faith in God… I AM WHO I AM.

My Mother (Mildred Bowman)
For all her life lessons taught in actions and not just words
In her teaching as a teacher the structure and drive to educate and put detail and hardwotk in all I do

My grandmother (Eura Dell Gillyard)
For her love of God and her laugh and hope. Her love for life and to laugh made me know how powerful joy is..and when u have it bring it and share with others

My children (Phil ,Chris,CamRon)
For the responsibility to be thier mother made me become.
Strong…open…loving…understanding…and giving
THEY MADE BE A BETTER ME SO I CAN SHOW THEM GROWTH AND LOVE

To MY CAREER :

Every Client i ever done…even when I wasn’t licensed…lol
You guys trusted me and gave me the hands on opportunity to sharpen and master my craft.

SHOUT OUT TO
MR KEN WALKER…. (R.I.P)

To have taken a chance on your gut.To give me the opportunity of a lifetime and I am forever grateful to God for using you to open that door for me in the TV and Film industry
Her I am almost 15years later. Im in the union and running major production Hair Department. Im helping other Hairstylists master thier craft, other to get days to get in the union. .
IM SOOOOO GRATEFUL TO U
LOVE ALWAYS

SHOUT OUT TO
MATIKI ANOFF (Make up Artist Tv/Film)

Thanks for seeing me work hard and wanting to place me in a postion that I could grow in the film and television industry.
You bringing me to the knowledge of and getting me an opportunity to get into the union. PRICELESS AND IM GRATEFUL TO U …FOR TRUSTING ME . To put your stamp of approval on my career.
Thanks for the opportunity and love.
God bless u..and I work hard to show you and Mr Ken that your opportunity was not in vain.

SHOUT OUT TO EVERY DEPT HEAD THAT HIRED ME
SO MANY…BUT I WILL NAME A FEW THAT WAS A CONSTANT AND MOTIVATED ME TO PURSUE HIGHER POSTIONS IN TV AND FILM

RITA PIRLLO
MARGEAUX FOX
CHARLOTTE PARKER
ANN MORGAN
ANDREA YOUNG
BRIAN BADIE
LAWRENCE DAVIS
ROBERT STEVENSON

AND SO MUCH LOVE TO MY MAKE UP MOM

MRS DEBI YOUNG

SHE IS A QUEEN TO ALL…IN LIFE AND ON SET
SHE IS A LIGHT I FOLLOW IN ALL HER LEADERSHIP AND PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE ON SET.

SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE MAJOR HAIRSTYLIST PLATFOTMS THAT I HAVE TRAINED UNDER AND PURCHASED BOOKS AND PRODUTS TO ACHIEVE A HIGHER LEVEL OF EDUCATION AND SKILL SET

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