About Me

Howdy! I’m Mason Slider, a filmmaker and photographer based in Bozeman, Montana. I’m a recent graduate of Montana State University with a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Lens-Based Media, and I’m beyond excited to kick off my career in filmmaking and storytelling.

Growing up, movies and film were a cornerstone of our household. In fact, my father even built a dedicated theater room for our almost daily movie nights. However, my interest in film didn’t spark until later in high school. Throughout elementary and middle school, I was deeply into acting. It allowed me to explore different worlds and become different people, all without leaving my room. It wasn’t until my junior year that I started to feel a stronger pull toward the filmmaking process itself rather than focusing on acting. The true moment I fell in love with filmmaking came when I began watching the behind-the-scenes footage of The Lord of the Rings. Peter Jackson’s passion and dedication to creating the world of Middle-earth for the big screen is both intoxicating and awe-inspiring. I dream of leading a project with that same level of passion and love—something that will stand the test of time.


Me and my brother after our middle school production of Peter Pan. I was Captain Hook and he… was an ear of corn.

Oh, just the best story ever! Thank you J.R.R. Tolkien

My love for photography also came later in life. Unlike my brother Aidan, who attended photography workshops in middle school, I didn’t truly appreciate the beauty of photography until I took an introductory darkroom class at MSU. Initially, I saw the class as just a way to practice composition for filmmaking. However, I quickly fell in love with the methodical process of capturing a single moment and turning it into art. There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing a picture you’ve carefully captured on film slowly develop by hand and magically appear on the page.


Two of my favorite pictures from my first photo final.

This is my brother, Aidan.

During my time as an undergraduate at MSU, I dedicated myself to becoming the best filmmaker and photographer I could be. Over the course of four years, I worked on nearly 30 student films, taking on roles ranging from PA and extra to directing my own senior film. Without a doubt, some of my most valuable and rewarding experiences happened on set. When I wasn’t on set or working on photo projects and school assignments, I worked at the school’s equipment checkout. This job gave me the chance to work with a wide range of film equipment, allowing me to familiarize myself with each piece while also immersing myself in the details of the photo checkout at night. Additionally, I founded the SFP Student Exec Board, a club that curated events, workshops, and screenings to enhance the collegiate experience for film and photo students. This role really helped hone my organizational and practical skills, especially when it came to fundraising for events, renting venues, and hosting screenings and workshops.


  • Fall 2020-Helping Hand-Grip

    Fall 2020-Help Needed-Grip

    Fall 2020-312-Talent

    Fall 2020-The Haunted Hard Drive-Talent

    Spring 2021-The Fan Attic-Grip/ 2nd AC

    Spring 2021-Lurker-Talent/ Key Grip

    Spring 2021-Mounds-Talent/ Sound

    Fall 2021-ReAnimated-Talent/ Key Grip

    Fall 2021-Dead Girl-Key Grip

    Fall 2021-Death in a Diner-Talent/ Grip

    Fall 2021-Two Beers-Gaffer

    Fall 2021-Bumpers-Assistant Editor

    Fall 2021-This be the Verse-Grip

    Fall 2021-Touch-Grip

    Spring 2022-In Your Arms-Talent/ Key Grip

    Spring 2022-Snow Covered Forest-Talent

    Spring 2022-Malawi Gold-Gaffer

    Summer 2022-What's Kept in the Dark-Director/ Writer

    Fall 2022-Haystacks-Grip

    Fall 2022-Torn-Assistant Director

    Fall 2022-End of my Rope-Producer/ Assistant Director

    Fall 2022-Undergrowth-Gaffer

    Fall 2022-That's My TV-Grip

    Fall 2022-Montana Green (PBS)-Director

    Fall 2022-Reel Montana (PBS)-Technical Director

    Spring 2023-The Argo-Director of Photography

    Spring 2023-Give Me Thunder-Talent/ Day Player

    Summer 2023-Into the Blu-Director/ Writer

    Fall 2023-Non-Disclosure-Director

    Fall 2023-Earth, With You-Assistant Director

    Fall 2023-CowGirls-Gaffer

    Fall 2023-Left me Cold-Director

    Spring 2024-Antlers in the Snow-Assistant Director

    Summer 2024-Ballad of the Dead and Dying-Director/ Writer

    Summer 2024-Pickleball-Director/ Writer

    Summer 2024-Westbrook-Associate Producer

    Summer 2024-American Ronin-Coproducer/Assistant Director

    • Arri Alexa Certified  

    • Adobe Suite                 

    • Final Draft                 

    • Ra4 Chemical Mixing

    • Sprint Developer Mixing

    • C-41 Chemical Mixing

    • Analog Film Processing

    • Grip and Electric

    • Jib and Dolly Operator

    • Live Television               

    • Production  Scheduling                      

    • Production Budgeting  

    • Assistant Directing            

    • Photo Studio Work           

    • Project Planning           

    • Event Planning                  

Over the last three years, I’ve had the opportunity to direct six films of my own, thanks to Kris Flink, Kirk Nordstrum, and the 48-Hour Film Project. To sum up the competition in its simplest form: you’re given a prompt and just 48 hours to write, film, and edit a short film. In 2022, Kris and Kirk brought the competition to Montana, and from there, my incredible team and I created five films for the 48-Hour competitions: What’s Kept in the Dark, Into the Blu, Left Me Cold, The Ballad of the Dead and the Dying, and Pickleball: An Inspiring Story About a Father, a Son, and Two Vaguely Gay Men. These projects were incredibly challenging and intense to make, but it was so rewarding to submit the film on Sunday and share with friends and family what we accomplished over the weekend. It was an unforgettable experience.

We didn’t just go to Filmapalooza once…

We went Twice!!!

I currently still live in Bozeman, as dedicated to my craft as ever. I recently bought a printer and am in the process of setting up my own home darkroom. My goal is to start printing my own photography books and dive into a new series soon. Thanks to Kris Flink and the 48-Hour Film Project, I’ve had the opportunity to gain valuable film experience in Seattle, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with filmmakers there on future projects. In the meantime, I’ll keep doing what I love—writing scripts, taking photos, and creating art.