Mason (director)


Mason, also known as Sam No, is an American pornographic film director.

Early life

Mason was born in Los Angeles, California and spent some time in Seattle, Washington during her youth. She earned a degree in political science prior to working in the adult film industry. She was also a Hollywood Star as a child appearing in Little House on the Prairie.

Career

Mason met Rodney Moore at a convention and began working for him as a camera operator and film editor. She later worked for Andre Madness, who put her in touch with Elegant Angel. She worked as a director for Elegant Angel until February 2003 when she left the company due to changes in management. In April of that year, she signed an exclusive directing contract with the studio Platinum X. Her first film for Platinum X, Mason’s Sexual Disorder, was released on October 14, 2003. In February 2005, she was released from her contract with Platinum X for not filming enough movies. The following month, she signed a one-year exclusive 12-picture directing deal with Hustler Video. She only directed one film for Hustler before leaving in June 2005 because the company's creative vision was heading in a different direction than previously planned. In September 2007, she began directing for Elegant Angel again. In July 2013, she became an exclusive director for OpenLife Entertainment. The following month, OpenLife Entertainment launched two studios, EroticaX and HardX, both helmed by Mason. In November 2015, O.L. Entertainment launched Dark X, an interracial pornography studio which is also helmed by Mason. In 2015, Mason became the first woman to win the AVN Award for Director of the Year.

Awards and nominations

YearCeremonyResultCategoryWork
2003AFW AwardDirectrix of the Year
2003AVN AwardBest Director – Non-FeatureLady Fellatio in the Doghouse
2003AVN AwardBest Oral Sex Scene – Video Lady Fellatio 2: Desperately Seeking Semen
2003AVN AwardBest Group Sex Scene – Video Lady Fellatio 2: Desperately Seeking Semen
2003XRCO AwardDirector of the Year
2004AVN AwardBest Director – Non FeatureMason's Dirty Trixxx 2
2005AVN AwardBest Director – Non-FeatureMason's Sexual Disorder
2006AVN AwardBest Director – Non-FeatureRiot Sluts 2
2008AVN AwardBest Director, Non-Feature Brianna Love Is Buttwoman
2009AVN AwardBest Director – Non-FeatureSlave Dolls 3
2010AVN AwardBest Director, Non-FeatureTori Black Is Pretty Filthy
2010AVN AwardBest VideographyTori Black Is Pretty Filthy
2010AVN AwardDirector of the Year
2010XBIZ AwardDirector of the Year — Body of Work
2010XRCO AwardBest Director
2011AVN AwardBest Director – Non-FeatureButtwoman vs. Slutwoman
2011AVN AwardDirector of the Year
2011XBIZ AwardDirector of the Year - Body of Work
2011XRCO AwardBest Director - Non-Features
2012AVN AwardBest Cinematography Portrait of a Call Girl
2012AVN AwardBest Director – Non FeatureAsa Akira Is Insatiable 2
2012AVN AwardDirector of the Year
2012Urban X AwardBest Director: GonzoAsa Akira Is Insatiable 2
2012XBIZ AwardBest Cinematography Portrait of a Call Girl
2012XRCO AwardBest Director – Non-Features
2013AVN AwardBest Cinematography Wasteland
2013AVN AwardBest Director – Non-FeatureDani Daniels Dare
2013AVN AwardDirector of the Year
2013XBIZ AwardDirector of the Year - Body of Work
2013XBIZ AwardDirector of the Year - Non-Feature ReleaseLexi
2013XBIZ AwardBest Cinematography Wasteland
2013XCritic.com Fans Choice AwardBest Director: Non-FeatureJada Stevens Is Buttwoman
2013XRCO AwardBest Director
2014AVN AwardBest Cinematography Eternal Passion
2014AVN AwardBest Director – Non-FeatureAnikka
2014AVN AwardDirector of the Year
2014NightMoves AwardBest Director — Non-Feature
2014TLARaw AwardBest Director
2014XBIZ AwardDirector of the Year - Non-Feature ReleaseAnikka
2014XRCO AwardBest Director
2015AVN AwardBest CinematographyAllie
2015AVN AwardBest Director – Non-FeatureAllie
2015AVN AwardDirector of the Year
2015XBIZ AwardDirector of the Year - Body of Work
2015XBIZ AwardDirector of the Year - Non-Feature ReleaseAllie
2015XRCO AwardBest Director