VALE – Barry Woodhouse ACS

02/08/1938 – 03/02/2025

by Brent Crockett ACS

It’s with great sadness that I inform all members of the ACS of the Passing of my dear friend and colleague Barry Woodhouse ACS. Barry slipped away peacefully on Monday February 3rd surrounded by his family. I have known Baz for most of my career as a cinematographer. He was not only a dear friend but a mentor and gave me a lot of opportunities throughout my career.

Barry began his career in the communications and media industries in 1956. He started work in film laboratories processing film for the Olympic games for Television Networks.

In 1960 he started a career as a Cinematographer in Television. Over a period of 18 years he filmed news events, current affairs, and documentaries for both HSV-7 and ATV-10. During this time Barry travelled extensively throughout Australia and South East Asia. On two occasions he covered the Vietnam War for HSV-7.

In 1978 Barry joined the State Electricity Commission Public Relations Department. Over a period of 15 years he filmed and Produced Corporate videos and films on the subjects of internal communications and electrical health and safety. And it was Barry who gave me my first freelance Job as a cinematographer working on a Corporate project for the SEC. It was the start of a working relationship and friendship that would span more than 35 years. Barry was always supportive of young up and coming Cinematographers, In fact it was a young John Bowring ACS that Barry had also helped kick start his career when he was shooting news for channel 0 , now Channel 10.

Still involved with the Cinematography and Production of Television Commercials on Electrical Safety. One of the most memorable was a series of Commercials for the Electricity company called the “Look up and Live” campaign which Barry directed and I shot.

Barry has won many awards for Cinematography and various Productions during his career, from organisations such as the Public Relations Institute, the International Television Association of Australia and the Australian Cinematographers Society have all recognised Barry’s work. In 1982 he was honoured to receive his Accreditation of the Australian Cinematographers Society, and in 2012 Barry was inducted into the ACS Hall of Fame.

Having also been presented life membership to the ACS and a member since the early 1960’s, Barry served as Victoria Branch President for many years. His passion for the craft and a desire to support and encourage young Cinematographers was a testament to the person Barry was. Always giving of his time and knowledge.

 

In 1998 he stepped away from Active film-making and purchased crewing agency Picture People with his wife Mitzi. It was something he found so rewarding and an extension of what he had been doing in the past – Helping Crew find work. Barry and Mitzi were a great team and Picture People became a leading supplier of crew in Victoria.

In June 2014 Barry and Mitzi retired and closed the doors on Picture People. But they continued to be in touch with Colleagues and often attended ACS Awards and events. When Mitzi passed away in 2021 during COVID Barry had lost his soul mate and it took its toll on his health, but he would still often get out and about for a meal, or a movie and he was always up for a chat.

 

I know you’ll now be up there somewhere with Mitzi, and I’m sure she’ll have everything organised for you. You’ll be missed by all that knew you and the many in our industry who you crossed paths with and had a big impact on their career journeys. Rest in Peace Baz – Barry is survived by his daughter Caroline and grandsons Bradley and Jack.

 

Brent Crockett ACS

 

Barry received his ACS Accreditation on April 5th, 1986
He was made a Life member of the Society on October 17th, 1992
He received the ACS Contribution award on May 30th, 2009
Barry was inducted in the ACS Hall of Fame on May 26th, 2012