Oliver Stapleton, a renowned cinematographer, has had the privilege of collaborating with numerous acclaimed filmmakers to bring some of the most iconic stories in both UK and Hollywood to life. With a career spanning over three decades, his impressive body of work includes a diverse range of films, from the 1984 film "My Beautiful Laundrette" to the 2018 film "Dear Mr Vidal" directed by Michael Hoffman.
Stapleton's collaborations with esteemed directors such as Lasse Hallström and Stephen Frears have solidified his reputation as a cinematic force to be reckoned with. His first collaboration with Hallström was the 1999 film "The Cider House Rules," and they have since worked together on a total of five films. His partnership with Frears has resulted in seven films, starting with "My Beautiful Laundrette." Additionally, Stapleton has worked with Michael Hoffman on five films, including the two-time Academy Award-winning epic "Restoration" in 1995.
Throughout his illustrious career, Stapleton has had the pleasure of working with an impressive array of talented actors, including Meryl Streep, Anjelica Huston, Annette Benning, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jennifer Aniston, Daniel Day-Lewis, Gary Oldman, Dustin Hoffman, John Travolta, Joaquin Phoenix, and many more.
Stapleton's extensive experience in the industry has allowed him to touch upon various genres, from the musical "Absolute Beginners" in 1986 to the 1988 sci-fi comedy "Earth Girls Are Easy," which earned him an Independent Spirit Award nomination. He has also worked on films such as Guillermo Del Toro's "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" in 2010.
Starting his career in documentary filmmaking and music videos, Stapleton won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography for his work with the band A-Ha on the iconic video "Take On Me." He has also had the opportunity to work with numerous renowned musicians, including David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Eddie Grant, and The Human League.
Stapleton's approach to cinematography is centered around treating every film as if it is his first, and working closely with the director to uncover the most appropriate style for the movie. He has conducted numerous masterclasses at Camerimage in Poland and is co-head of Cinematography at the National Film and Television School in the UK.
