Robert Masters hard at play on lunch break from filming the sport's superstars in his favorite staging area, Sprecklesville.
Robert Masters
Born in London England, Robert Masters spent his formative years on the island of Malta. It was there in 1977 where he had his first taste of windsurfing.
"It was a disaster. I borrowed the local yachting champion's stock Windsurfer and promptly destroyed his sail when I ripped it in half on a large nail protruding from a dock that I crashed into. Fortunately a local sailmaker saved the day and fixed it for me. He even enlarged the sail window which seemed like a good idea!"
When Robert moved to the USA in 1978, he immersed himself into the world of sound, teaching himself about audio engineering. After working at several Los Angeles recording facilities including a stint at Emmylou Harris's Enactron Studios, Robert transitioned from music production to video and film, eventually launching his own production company in 1984. It was also then that he fell in love with windsurfing on Lake Tahoe and along with his partner Mary Jo, decided to produce the world's first "documentary yearbook" about the sport. Of the project, Robert says "We'd fallen in love with windsurfing and had eagerly purchased all of the home videos that were currently on the market. One thing that we didn't find was a documentary about windsurfing, a show that covered wave sailing, racing, slalom, speedsailing and the innovative technologies behind the sport. Although we had no experience producing long-form documentaries, we said to each other what the heck, let's create one ourselves.”
Born in London England, Robert Masters spent his formative years on the island of Malta. It was there in 1977 where he had his first taste of windsurfing.
"It was a disaster. I borrowed the local yachting champion's stock Windsurfer and promptly destroyed his sail when I ripped it in half on a large nail protruding from a dock that I crashed into. Fortunately a local sailmaker saved the day and fixed it for me. He even enlarged the sail window which seemed like a good idea!"
When Robert moved to the USA in 1978, he immersed himself into the world of sound, teaching himself about audio engineering. After working at several Los Angeles recording facilities including a stint at Emmylou Harris's Enactron Studios, Robert transitioned from music production to video and film, eventually launching his own production company in 1984. It was also then that he fell in love with windsurfing on Lake Tahoe and along with his partner Mary Jo, decided to produce the world's first "documentary yearbook" about the sport. Of the project, Robert says "We'd fallen in love with windsurfing and had eagerly purchased all of the home videos that were currently on the market. One thing that we didn't find was a documentary about windsurfing, a show that covered wave sailing, racing, slalom, speedsailing and the innovative technologies behind the sport. Although we had no experience producing long-form documentaries, we said to each other what the heck, let's create one ourselves.”
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Robert and Mary Jo have worked with Neil Pryde, Gaastra, Seatrend, HiFly and others in the sport of windsurfing, producing and directing numerous short films including the globally popular "Rigmarole", "Instant Replay" and "Heart & Soul".
Not just three pretty faces. Cort Larned with Mary Jo and Robert en route to edit "Power Jibe" at their Los Angeles post-production studio.
Spending down time with the wave sailing GOAT, Mark Angulo.
3 young wise men. Robert sandwiched by Windsurfing hall of Famers Fred Haywood and Barry Spanier.
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"Power Jibe", was co-produced with fellow WHOF recipient Cort Larned. Robert’s films have been seen by millions of people around the world and and his footage has been used by clients including Baywatch Productions, ABC Sports, National Geographic, Coors (for two Super Bowl commercials), Ferraro, TWI, ESPN and Eurosport.
Of his time producing windsurf films and videos, Robert is extremely grateful to the many people who have assisted him along the way. "I've been truly blessed to be surrounded by a group of very talented people - sailors, boat drivers, helicopter pilots, in-water cameramen, graphics artists, musicians, writers, corporate sponsors and marketing wizards - who have helped turn our ideas into reality. |
Behind every great man... needless to say the awards would not come without a great woman ahead of him – Mary Jo Masters. Now full-time Maui residents and upcountry fruit growers,
Robert and Mary Jo can occasionally be spotted
cruising at their favorite North Shore sailing spot. Robert says, "And by my side at every step of the way has been my partner, my best friend and soul mate, my wife,
Mary Jo, who has co-produced and overseen every aspect of all of our productions."
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In addition to awards at USA Film Festivals, New York Film Festivals and Worldfests, Robert and Mary Jo have earned recognition from their peers: one Emmy Award for editing and three additional nominations for Emmy’s in other categories.
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