Jared Lee Masters is a multifaceted American creative force, exceling as a filmmaker, actor, and author. His journey in the entertainment industry began in 2011 with the release of Climb It, Tarzan!, a groundbreaking film featuring an all-female cast, a rarity in cinematic history.
Throughout his career, Masters has written and directed over a dozen feature films, including Slink (2013) and Ballet of Blood (2015),showcasing his versatility and talent. He has also made appearances in various films and television shows, such as Ugly Betty and Saturday Night Live, further demonstrating his range as a performer.
Born in Georgia, Masters' early life was marked by frequent relocations due to his father's military service, which took the family to various cities across the United States and Germany. He was initially homeschooled by his mother before attending public and private schools in Richmond, Virginia.
Masters' interest in filmmaking emerged at the age of 14, when he began directing and editing skateboarding videos and selling them to his schoolmates. At 15, he taught himself classical piano and later composed music for some of his films. This early exposure to music and filmmaking laid the foundation for his future creative endeavors.
Masters joined the Screen Actors Guild in 2007 and relocated to New York City, where he studied acting and landed minor roles in major films and television shows. During his time in New York, he directed his first short film, 'The Umbrella,' as well as the documentary 'Meet the Freaks at Dreamland.'
In 2010, Masters moved to Venice Beach, California, and went on to create his first full-length feature film, Climb It, Tarzan! (2011),followed by 8 Reels of Sewage (2012),both of which are period films set in the 1960s.
Masters' work has garnered numerous accolades, including two EOTM Award nominations for Slink: Best Director in a Horror Film and Best Scream Film. He won the 2013 EOTM Award for Best Horror Film for Slink, and his film Teachers' Day was an Official Selection of the 2014 Shockfest and Mockfest Film Festivals, earning a nomination for the Zelig Award, the highest honor from Mockfest.
Some of the distinctive elements that characterize Masters' filmmaking style include retro themes, female empowerment, explorations of society's underbelly, and homages to 80's slasher films and B movies of the 1960s. His films often feature carnival and circus themes, adding an air of whimsy and excitement to his storytelling.
Throughout his career, Masters has consistently pushed the boundaries of the film industry, creating unique and captivating stories that showcase his talent as a filmmaker, actor, and author.
