Eric Horvitch, ASC, SASC
Eric Horvitch, ASC, SASC, the first South African director of photography to become a member of the ASC, died in his hometown of Johannesburg following heart surgery on August 10, 1998. The 77-year-old Horvitch had been a cameraman for 59 years and an ASC member since 1945. For many years, he was the only member of the Society to reside and work permanently on the African continent.
Born on May 3, 1922, Horvitch entered the field of moving pictures when he was 17, soon becoming foreman of Unifilms' lab and later establishing himself as a freelance cinematographer. He studied for six years at the University of Witwatersrand and the University of South Africa, earning Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Economics degrees in Administration.
"All productions I have directed and photographed have been on special order only for universities, clubs, et cetera, or tribal films on special order for various bodies," Horvitch explained 52 years ago when he became an ASC member. That was during the time of World War II, an era marked by a severe shortage of equipment and film stock; as a result, production activities were closely regulated. "At all times I have acted as more or less a one-man unit," Horvitch added. "It's only now that restrictions on film have been released that I am going to produce other types of productions. This shall be as soon as my new studio and laboratory equipment arrives from America."
Horvitch is recognized as having played a major role in the development of the South African film industry. In addition to his pioneering work as a cinematographer, he established Photo Agencies of Southern Africa, one of the nation's largest and most successful motion picture and photographic supply and service companies. In numerous instances he was the first to import and introduce the latest equipment and technological innovations to filmmakers throughout the region. Although photography was his life's work and Horvitch was seldom seen without a camera slung over his shoulder, he was also an ardent sportsman and assembled a notable collection of vintage firearms and ammunition.
A founding member of the South African Society of Cinematographers, for which he served as president for more than 30 years, Horvitch was also a member of the British Kinematographic Society and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. For many years he wrote extensively for the SMPTE Journal.
Horvitch is survived by his wife, Joan, and sons, Andrew and Martin.
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