# 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 woman to win the AVN Award for Director of the Year.

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Ceremony | Result | Category | Work |
| 2003 | AFW Award | Won | Directrix of the Year | — |
| 2003 | AVN Award | Nominated | Best Director – Non-Feature | Lady Fellatio in the Doghouse |
| 2003 | AVN Award | Nominated | Best Oral Sex Scene – Video (shared with Olivia Saint, Gino Greco & Kyle Stone) | Lady Fellatio 2: Desperately Seeking Semen |
| 2003 | AVN Award | Nominated | Best Group Sex Scene – Video (shared with Alexandra Quinn, Gino Greco & William H.) | Lady Fellatio 2: Desperately Seeking Semen |
| 2003 | XRCO Award | Nominated | Director of the Year | — |
| 2004 | AVN Award | Nominated | Best Director – Non Feature | Mason's Dirty Trixxx 2 |
| 2005 | AVN Award | Nominated | Best Director – Non-Feature | Mason's Sexual Disorder |
| 2006 | AVN Award | Nominated | Best Director – Non-Feature | Riot Sluts 2 |
| 2008 | AVN Award | Nominated | Best Director, Non-Feature (shared with William H.) | Brianna Love Is Buttwoman |
| 2009 | AVN Award | Nominated | Best Director – Non-Feature | Slave Dolls 3 |
| 2010 | AVN Award | Nominated | Best Director, Non-Feature | Tori Black Is Pretty Filthy |
| 2010 | AVN Award | Nominated | Best Videography | Tori Black Is Pretty Filthy |
| 2010 | AVN Award | Nominated | Director of the Year (Body of Work) | — |
| 2010 | XBIZ Award | Nominated | Director of the Year — Body of Work | — |
| 2010 | XRCO Award | Nominated | Best Director (Non-Features) | — |
| 2011 | AVN Award | Nominated | Best Director – Non-Feature | Buttwoman vs. Slutwoman |
| 2011 | AVN Award | Nominated | Director of the Year (Body of Work) | — |
| 2011 | XBIZ Award | Nominated | Director of the Year - Body of Work | — |
| 2011 | XRCO Award | Nominated | Best Director - Non-Features | — |
| 2012 | AVN Award | Nominated | Best Cinematography (shared with Carlos Dee & Alex Ladd) | Portrait of a Call Girl |
| 2012 | AVN Award | Won | Best Director – Non Feature | Asa Akira Is Insatiable 2 |
| 2012 | AVN Award | Nominated | Director of the Year (Body of Work) | — |
| 2012 | Urban X Award | Won | Best Director: Gonzo | Asa Akira Is Insatiable 2 |
| 2012 | XBIZ Award | Won | Best Cinematography (shared with Carlos Dee & Alex Ladd) | Portrait of a Call Girl |
| 2012 | XRCO Award | Nominated | Best Director – Non-Features | — |
| 2013 | AVN Award | Won | Best Cinematography (shared with Alex Ladd & Carlos D.) | Wasteland |
| 2013 | AVN Award | Nominated | Best Director – Non-Feature | Dani Daniels Dare |
| 2013 | AVN Award | Nominated | Director of the Year (Body of Work) | — |
| 2013 | XBIZ Award | Nominated | Director of the Year - Body of Work | — |
| 2013 | XBIZ Award | Won | Director of the Year - Non-Feature Release | Lexi |
| 2013 | XBIZ Award | Nominated | Best Cinematography (shared with Alex Ladd & Carlos Dee) | Wasteland |
| 2013 | XCritic.com Fans Choice Award | Won | Best Director: Non-Feature | Jada Stevens Is Buttwoman |
| 2013 | XRCO Award | Nominated | Best Director (Non-Features) | — |
| 2014 | AVN Award | Nominated | Best Cinematography (shared with Alex Ladd) | Eternal Passion |
| 2014 | AVN Award | Won | Best Director – Non-Feature | Anikka |
| 2014 | AVN Award | Nominated | Director of the Year | — |
| 2014 | NightMoves Award | Won | Best Director — Non-Feature (Editor's Choice) | — |
| 2014 | TLARaw Award | Won | Best Director | — |
| 2014 | XBIZ Award | Nominated | Director of the Year - Non-Feature Release | Anikka |
| 2014 | XRCO Award | Won | Best Director (Non-Features) | — |
| 2015 | AVN Award | Nominated | Best Cinematography | Allie |
| 2015 | AVN Award | Won | Best Director – Non-Feature | Allie |
| 2015 | AVN Award | Won | Director of the Year | — |
| 2015 | XBIZ Award | Nominated | Director of the Year - Body of Work | — |
| 2015 | XBIZ Award | Nominated | Director of the Year - Non-Feature Release | Allie |
| 2015 | XRCO Award | Won | Best Director (Non-Features) | — |