Bill Mason (director)
Encyclopedia
Rowland Hill Berkeley Mason (9 November 1915 – 17 January 2002), known as Bill Mason, was an English
documentary film maker and scriptwriter.
, Birmingham
, England
and was educated at Gresham's School
, Holt
, between 1929 and 1934.
In the 1940s he moved to Hampstead Heath
, London
, with his wife and son Nick Mason
, who became the drummer of Pink Floyd
. A film-maker and amateur racing car driver, because of a lifelong passion for motor sports Bill Mason specialized in observing them as a maker of documentary films. His enthusiasm for the world of motoring was passed on to his son Nick, who wrote about them in his book Into the Red (2004). Mason's success was such that Nick was given an Aston Martin
sports car as a teenager.
As well as making films, Mason was also a scriptwriter.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
documentary film maker and scriptwriter.
Life
Mason was born in Kings NortonKings Norton
Kings Norton is an area of Birmingham, England. It is also a Birmingham City Council ward within the formal district of Northfield.-History:...
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and was educated at Gresham's School
Gresham's School
Gresham’s School is an independent coeducational boarding school in Holt in North Norfolk, England, a member of the HMC.The school was founded in 1555 by Sir John Gresham as a free grammar school for forty boys, following King Henry VIII's dissolution of the Augustinian priory at Beeston Regis...
, Holt
Holt, Norfolk
Holt is a market town and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The town is north of the city of Norwich, west of Cromer and east of King's Lynn. The town is on the route of the A148 King's Lynn to Cromer road. The nearest railway station is in the town of Sheringham where access to the...
, between 1929 and 1934.
In the 1940s he moved to Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is a large, ancient London park, covering . This grassy public space sits astride a sandy ridge, one of the highest points in London, running from Hampstead to Highgate, which rests on a band of London clay...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, with his wife and son Nick Mason
Nick Mason
Nicholas Berkeley "Nick" Mason is an English drummer and songwriter, best known for his work with Pink Floyd. He was the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1965...
, who became the drummer of Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
. A film-maker and amateur racing car driver, because of a lifelong passion for motor sports Bill Mason specialized in observing them as a maker of documentary films. His enthusiasm for the world of motoring was passed on to his son Nick, who wrote about them in his book Into the Red (2004). Mason's success was such that Nick was given an Aston Martin
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, based in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The company name is derived from the name of one of the company's founders, Lionel Martin, and from the Aston Hill speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire...
sports car as a teenager.
As well as making films, Mason was also a scriptwriter.
Filmography as director
- Le Mans 1952 (1952)
- Mille miglia (1953)
- History of the Motor Car (1972)
- Racing Mercedes - Part One (2001)
- Racing Mercedes - Part Two (2001)
- Racing Mercedes - Part Three (2001)