Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Howard.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Gosh, where do I begin? Well, my full name is Melanie Amber Victoria Howard, but everybody calls me Mel. I was born in New York City at New York University hospital, and my career focus is in the Film and TV industry, although I worked in the fashion world for over 17 years.
I’m a daughter of two Syracuse University alumni who moved from the north to the south when I was four. I dove into the arts at the age of three when I began my love of ballet. It was then that I stepped onto a stage to perform for the first time, and I fell in love!
It was no coincidence as I am a granddaughter of a multi-medium visual artist, and a seamstress, and a niece of many performing arts aunts and uncles. Two of which have worked on and off-Broadway for more than 30 years.
Throughout middle and high school, I attended some of my hometown’s most prestigious arts schools, some of which were considered Magnet Schools for the Arts, and auditions were required for my admission. I studied theater, sculpting, photography, painting, metalwork, musical theater and ballet. By the time I was a senior in high school, I was earning honors (AP) credit as a stage manager in our multi-production Theater Department.
For college, I attended Virginia Tech. I dabbled in stage production and theater, as I completed my major in Marketing and Fashion Buying. I enjoyed this season of my learning, not only for its instructive development and creative design, such as; sewing and design, but also on the technical side of fashion. We not only learned how to how to run a successful fashion business, but we were taught everything about what clothing is made of, all the way down to the fibers. We learned how to create websites using the most up-to-date software, create pattern designs using CAD, we even used torches to burn materials to learn about processes and finished used in first-responder gear. My senior year, I spent a semester as a teacher’s aid to pass along knowledge that I had gained from my experience in the industry as an intern in New York at DKNY (Donna Karan) the summer after my junior year. This was one of two summers that I spent working and interning in New York City and immersing myself in the industry.
I was able to move through, in and around a career path that occupied my life through college at Virginia Tech, to internships in NY (DKNY, Cole Haan), to life in Atlanta. I was a top saleswoman who loved my work life outside of the traditional office setting. But as life so has it, destiny came knocking, I answered, and a major transition in my career path took place.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?” Any advice for other women, particularly young women who are just starting their journey?
Ha ha ha! Unfortunately, no. In no way has my journey been a smooth road. I’ve learned to laugh at the obstacles, though. I’ve had many roadblocks and a lot of building blocks, too. Each stepping stone on my path has led me to exactly where I am today. And it’s now that I can see more clearly the certainty of my future. I’ve learned to recognize where I belong, and that no matter how harsh they may seem, endings only bring new beginnings.
Some of the struggles along the way? I believe my biggest struggle was what I like to call “left-right brain syndrome”. I have a deep interest in analytical and creative endeavors. So, it was hard for me to establish where my truest happiness lies. For me, that took a while. For example, I always imagined myself in an office setting, 9-5 job/ lifestyle, with a salary, and 401-k, until I found myself working for a steel manufacturing company doing million dollar purchase orders in their procurement department (if you don’t know what that is, don’t worry it’s not that interesting). I was desperately unhappy. When I left the company, the H.R. manager said, “You are a creative. Go do something creative.” I knew he was right.
The best advice I can give to someone else is only the advice that I would give to myself. And if this is to someone else just starting on their journey, a woman, perhaps, I would say that she should study herself – learn herself from inside and out. Find where the determination inside herself lies. I believe that that’s when true magic within oneself really begins to blossom.
Secondly, I would remind her to have faith! Whether it’s faith in herself, faith in God, or faith in the process. Just have faith that everything will work out in the way that it’s supposed to. This self- trust, yields an abundance of positivity from within that money cannot buy. In fast-paced industries like Film and Television there is a lot that is uncertain and you have to remain patient, especially in the face of adversity.
We’d love to learn more about your work. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a brand, organization or service provider? What sets you apart from others?
It all started off when I told a co-worker that I wanted to get into acting again. Within a week, I was on my first film set. When one door closes, another one opens. Literally. That job ended one day, and the next, I opened my front door and a film crew setting up a base camp in my apartment complex, 20ft from my front door.
Now you see, had that day followed my 9-5 norm, I wouldn’t have been home to meet this film crew that was filling up our parking with trucks and equipment.
April of this year will make three years that I have been working in the TV and Film industry. I have made some amazing friends and even better, I’ve learned and grown, a lot. I’ve worked on set as a stand-in, actress, photo-double, fit model, extra (Background Artist), precision driver, costumer, in craft services (crafty), and in catering. On approximately 75 different productions. Some of which include: The Walking Dead, Stranger Things, The Avengers: Infinity War, and various Tyler Perry productions. I’m also very proud to have been cast the lead role in a project that’s in the editing process. I can’t say much about it yet, but excited to share it soon!.
What sets me apart from others? The knowledge and experiences I’ve learned on set and my hard work ethic are what I think set me apart from others. It’s very easy to let this industry whisk you away and fly you off into the clouds, but it’s important (for me) to remain grounded! It can be hard going to set one day and being in charge of an entire department and then going to set and be told what to do. The hours are long, the “homework” extensive, and if you’re not cut out for it, you can easily blur the lines and ultimately doom your own destiny. However, if you have an end goal in mind you can fight through it with professionalism and stride.
My end goal is artistic creation. It just so happens that being in front of the camera and audience is an eternal happy and content place for me. I love to perform and tell stories.
I have learned from very valuable experiences and gained discipline throughout my life and it is in this that I can see more certainty in my future. It’s all coming together, nicely.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
This is an amazing question! Throughout my life, I have witnessed many women face barriers in leadership roles. Primarily in obtaining them. I have also been one of these women. However, most of these obstacles were the result of unjust treatment. Much has progressed over the years, hallelujah, but I think that the biggest barriers to female leadership in my industry, or in general, are our narratives about female leadership as a whole. I believe that on all fronts, the dialogue, or lack there of, about inequality, race, religion, or gender is skewed, further damaging perspectives because too many of the accountable outlets we entrust to engage in discussions and provide current learning are not doing so. I think that we as people need to realize that these barriers were constructed by our predecessors, but that doesn’t mean they need to exist.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/MelanieAmber.v
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/MelanieAmberVH/?ref=bookmarks
Image Credit:
DeAndre Lemans
Kam Casey-Holloway
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
