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.

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 female to win the AVN Award for Director of the Year.

Awards and nominations

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