After working as director Mark Rydell's assistant on The Rose (1979), Primus has increased his behind-the-camera activities; in 1992, he directed his first theatrical feature, the "inside" Hollywood comedy/drama Mistress.
Barry Primus taught acting and directing classes at the American Film Institute, The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, the UCLA campus, and at The Workshop in Maine. He created and moderates the video podcast Inner Object which interviews actors about their craft.