Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian D. Mason.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I am a proud Jamerican! My family is from Jamaica, and I grew up in Long Island, NY and went to High School and college in Boston. I was always an athlete that loved the arts, but it wasn’t until I took an acting class in Curry College and left the football team that I was able to expand on my interest in acting. Sometimes you really have to close one door to open a new one. I found that the same passion I had for digging deep and making the big play in sports carried over into acting in a way I didn’t expect. Through my own emotional and creative expression, I could inspire, affect and entertain. I fell in love with theater.
I went on to receive a scholarship to attend the MFA Graduate program for acting at Roosevelt University in Chicago. I did not complete it, but from there I fell in love with film which I found was a different branch of the art I loved. I stayed busy building my resume, learning and growing with student and independent films. When I felt ready, it was time to move to a place that I had never been before, LA.
In that time period, even though I had been doing many independent projects, I was struggling financially, and I was not really on a clear path to reaching the next level with acting… I needed to figure out how to give myself a real chance at success.
When things were beginning to feel their lowest in Chicago, my agent called me with an audition for Honda. Once I got those sides, I practiced more than I ever had for a role. I auditioned, and a few days later my agent called to tell me I booked it! I knew this money and momentum would help me move to LA.
That same week, a former coworker of mine who moved to LA, offered me her couch to crash on and the next week I was in my car and drove to LA. This was my first time in LA, and upon arrival, I knew my life would never be the same. I had finally found the place for a “Jamerican Blactor” like me; Perfect weather, relaxed vibes and I could smell opportunity in the air!
I immediately started going to Expressions Unlimited, an acting class in Sherman Oaks and it became my first home in LA. Through their Thursday showcases, I met Doug Cosgro. He saw something in me and offered to represent me. I booked the very first audition he sent me on, which was a show on TLC called “Sex Sent Me To The ER.” That was my first audition in LA! I have been with his management company, Acuity Artists, ever since. Shot out to Sasha Nazar and Jason Hilton, I am in great hands with my team!
I could tell stories of my time in stand up comedy or each role I booked and connection I made because each one is interesting and special but honestly I think what is even more important to take away from my story is that I really am somebody who has decided to be ALL IN while in pursuit of my dreams. As I get older, I further understand the sacrifices required to be ALL IN But when I’m on set, or when I finish writing a script, or when I have a moment of losing myself in character… I know that a temporary sacrifice is worth it.
I am now in my fifth year in LA LA land, and I can finally see the seeds that I’ve planted begin to grow. I don’t know how to explain it but when you believe in something so intensely; When you believe that you can do something, somehow it will manifest into reality. Dreams and reality don’t have to have dividing lines. Those lines can be blurred. All I know is that throughout the highs and lows, one thing remains true; I am enjoying my journey.
Please tell us about your art.
I am an actor and a writer. In life, I am very in tune with what it means to be me. Passion and I are good friends. When I’m acting, I find comfort in revealing my characters vulnerabilities, and I equally love covering up those vulnerabilities with another layer. I want the viewer to feel connected when they see me perform. Maybe even discover something about themselves in the process. With writing, I equally tap into my emotions and combine it with my sense of comedy. “Dramedy” is my favorite genre. I want your heart to break and your knees to hurt from slapping them while laughing.
The current web series, Commune, that I am a Co-writer, Co-Producer, and Actor on is about eight people decide to live under one roof and follow the old saying “it takes a village.” When a new member joins their home, those values are thrown out the window, and their definition of a community is put to the test.
Check it out!
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
Right now, the ball is in the artists’ court more than ever before. Sure, as actors we still need to audition and hope for a room of people to “choose” us. However, we are at a point with the industry where content is coming from all angles. The emergence of New Media has opened up opportunities for people to tell stories that there was previously no market for. This means that artists have the ability to take initiative and create their own content. That crazy idea you had that one time could make an interesting Netflix/Amazon/Hulu show; Write it. The industry seems more ready than ever to discover YOU.
Financially, it is still hard to pursue a career in the arts. Especially in Los Angeles. We need to stay active with our craft, so this means our jobs need to be flexible. Flexible jobs struggle to give financial stability, so in a place that is so expensive, you find a lot of struggling artists. Staying the course, under these circumstances seems to be one of the biggest challenges. Tale as old as time, “Artist and the Dream”…
Is it possible for cities to help artists thrive? Maybe LA can have an artist discount with proof of ID? That’d be nice!
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My website www.BrianDMason.com features clips from my previous roles, and I also feature videos from the web series the I was recently a co-writer/Producer/Actor on, “Commune.” You can also watch that web series on YouTube under “Commune the series” or www.communetheseries.com.
In addition, have a role in a Netflix film called “Never Heard,” written by Tamera Hill and Directed by Josh Webber.
More projects coming soon!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BrianDMason.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bdmase/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bmase123
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BdMase
- Other: www.Communetheseries.com
Image Credit:
Vivien Killilea
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