Barry Casson is a distinguished cinematographer, director, and educator who currently serves as the Director of the Victoria Motion Picture School. Since co-founding the institution in 1989 as Vancouver Island’s first dedicated film school and production studio, Casson has remained a central figure in cinematic education. His current professional focus involves leading the school’s curriculum and conducting highly acclaimed industry workshops and speaking seminars throughout British Columbia and Alberta. Through these initiatives, he actively promotes the growth of the motion picture industry while maintaining a consistent practice as a working cinematographer and part-time instructor.
Casson’s career in the film and television sectors dates back to the early 1970s, beginning with a foundation in visual storytelling as a news photographer for several Vancouver Island publications. His formal technical training was completed at Columbia College in Hollywood, California, a background that paved the way for a nine-year tenure as a news cameraman for CHEK Television. During this period, Casson successfully transitioned into independent production, establishing his own company to produce, direct, and photograph a series of dramas and documentaries. These projects earned significant national exposure on CBC and garnered numerous industry awards for their technical and narrative quality.
A cornerstone of his filmography is the children’s outdoor survival drama, Lost in the Woods, a widely distributed production in Canada and the United States that continues to reach new audiences through modern re-releases. His more recent narrative work includes the follow-up drama, The Search. Beyond his filmography, Casson’s contributions to the craft were formally recognized in 2000 when he was granted full membership in the prestigious Canadian Society of Cinematographers. His ongoing work in corporate video and cinematography has continued to earn accolades and nominations from the society, solidifying his reputation for technical precision and excellence in the Canadian media landscape.