Stefanie Terzo

Words By Bec Doyle | January 27 2022

The Art of Hair : Salon to the Screen

For many creatives in the hair and makeup industry wanting to further their career, working in the illustrious film and TV industry can seem impossible. You train, land a job in a salon and wonder how to achieve that next step, styling the actors and celebrities you admire on the screen. For professional Hairstylist Stefanie Terzo her story began not unlike many budding stylists. She went to Cosmetology school and worked in a salon in her hometown of Toronto, Canada. After a chance encounter working on a music video, the Director encouraged her to pursue a career in film and TV. Once establishing herself in Toronto, Stefanie took the leap, relocating to L.A., the entertainment capital of the world. She packed up her car, traveled across the continent, and hasn’t looked back! Although she admits, it’s not always glamorous. It requires had work, long hours and the ability to withstand some extreme working conditions. But if you ask Stefanie, it is totally worth it! Working as a freelance Hairstylist, her professional journey has led her to the most exciting sets, working in both the US and Canada. Holding positions as Key Stylist and Head of Department on numerous productions including Orphan Black, Shadow Hunters, V Wars, In The Dark and Locke & Key. Stefanie has worked with some of the most accomplished and respected actors in the industry today, and she’s just getting started. I asked Stefanie all about her start in the industry, career highlights, what’s ahead in 2022 and more…

Stefanie Terzo

How did you get started in the industry?

I started my journey at a young age sweeping floors and washing hair in a salon. Right out of high school I went to cosmetology school, became licensed and started to grow my career. One day I helped out a friend of a friend, who was a music video director, on the set of his latest video. We got to chatting on set and he asked if I’d ever thought about making a career out of this. My response was, “How many music videos could I possibly shoot, for me to make a living?” He then responded, “Well.. I mean in Film and Television.” I thought about that, and when I went home that night I went online and did some searching around the internet, contacted the union hair local in my area, and well.. here I am over a decade later!

Why freelance as opposed to being agency represented?

I freelance as opposed to being agency represented mostly for the fact I have been fortunate enough in my career to not have needed representation. I have worked consistently for the past number of years building my credits, contacts and a name for myself. I have been very blessed to have had the opportunity to work across the United States, Canada and Europe. I am not against ever having representation, it has just not been something I’ve needed to acquire up to this point in my career.

What is a deciding factor in the productions you choose to work on?

There are multiple factors I consider when choosing the projects I work on, but the most important to me is the project itself: I will read the script and decide if it is a project I feel good being a part of. During this time I will also do a light breakdown of what my job would entail. For example, the time period of the project takes place (past, present, future); What sort of styles are necessary and appropriate; wigs and hair pieces that may be needed; and other things like such, pertaining to the script. I want to feel a connection to the project and know that I will be provided with the tools I need from the production company, combined with my skills and talents, to successfully achieve what the project requires to do my job perfectly and proudly have my name attached to it.

You just wrapped on "Resurrection", starring Rebecca Hall, what were some highlights and challenges on the project?

I just recently wrapped on a Film called Resurrection Starring Rebecca Hall. I can’t get too into the story as it has not been released yet, but having said that, it is premiering at SunDance Film Festival in February and that in itself is a highlight and very exciting! The project was one I am proud to have been a part of. The crew was just amazing and fun and quickly became a family. We could not have asked for a better lead than Rebecca Hall. She set such a great tone for the show and was so easy to work with. The biggest challenge we faced was the weather! We filmed primarily in Albany, NY, and it rained a lot. So that was a bit of an adventure at times. Haha!

Stefanie Terzo styling Luke Baines on Shadow Hunters

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job, aside from the job itself and doing what I love, hair and making movies, is the change! Every few months or so, I have a new job and get to meet new people and create and bring new characters to life! It is truly magical, fun and amazing to collaborate with other creatives and bring an idea that was written on a piece of paper, into existence. It is truly a glorious feeling, no matter how simple or complex the character is.

What are some of your career highlights and why?

One of my biggest career highlights was working on a Freeform series called Shadowhunters. Shadowhunters was an adaptation from a series of books called “The Mortal Instruments” that I read when I was 20 and loved. So please, just try to imagine how excited I was when I was given the opportunity to be the Key Hairstylist on the second and third seasons of the show, and bring some of my most favorite characters to life!! Also, it’s a fantasy based story, so that in itself is so much fun as you get to let your creativity run wild!

What does a normal day on set look like for you?

A typical day on set for me generally starts about 30 minutes before the actor arrives. During this time, I set up my station and double check my continuity is correct for the scenes we are shooting that day. The actor(s) arrive, I get them ready, and then we head to set to film. We will shoot for an average of 6 hours, then we will break for a half hour to an hour lunch. After lunch I would touch up the actor(s) and then we would film for another 6-7 hours on average. Once done filming for the day, we then go back and de-process the actor(s), take out any hair pieces or pins that have been put in the hair. Then we clean up and get to go home! It’s safe to say a day on set averages 15-16 hours.

Stefanie Terzo styling Alberto Rosende on Shadow Hunters

What advice would you give to hair stylists wanting to break into the film and tv industry?

Don’t get caught. Breaking and entering is a criminal offense punishable by jail time. Kidding! Kinda. Anywho! Advice I’d give to hairstylists wanting to join the film and tv world: This lifestyle is not for everyone. The days are long, it’s hard work, you’re on your feet and out in the elements. You have to be ok with this. It’s not for everyone, and that’s ok! Now, if it is the lifestyle for you, train, grow and keep learning. Continue improving your skills and gaining new ones. Take classes and get as much knowledge under your belt about everything hair related. If you learn even just one new thing out of every class you take, it’s worth it. You never know what you might be faced with in this industry and a strong foundation key.

When do you feel you are most creative?

I’m most creative at night. Is that the right answer? Hahahaha. When I’m working on a project, creating looks and mood boards, or whether I’m drawing or coloring with charcoal or playing music on my ukulele, the night is when I come to life and feel inspired. For whatever reason, it brings me to a place where I’m able to not only think outside the box, but tear the walls down and push the creative limits. Reining it in is easy once you know how far you can go.

Is sustainability important to you? And what are some ways you implement sustainable practices in your work?

Sustainability is very important to me. Ways I practice sustainability is bringing and filling up my own reusable water bottles and will purchase them for my team. I use my own reusable mug, plate and silverware for coffee and food, instead of disposables. I try to use products that come in glass bottles instead of plastic, or companies that support the environment, such as Kevin Murphy who is teamed up with oceanwasteplastices.com to give back. Also technology is so advanced that being able to read scripts and receive paperwork digitally vs. hard paper copies saves thousands of sheets of paper on set. That itself is truly significant.

What’s ahead for you in 2022?

2022 is very exciting! Although I can’t talk about it in detail, I will be working on a film/ biopic about the life of a famous musician that I grew up listening to in the house as a child, and I can’t wait!! I can tell you that there are many wigs and hair pieces involved and you’re going to want to see this one!

Follow Stefanie @stefanieterzo

Stefanie Terzo styling Alberto Rosende on Shadow Hunters