Stefan Czapsky, A.S.C. (born 15 December 1950) is an American cinematographer.
Born in Oldenburg, West Germany to Ukrainian parents, his family emigrated to the United States while he was still an infant and settled in Cleveland.
Graduating from Case Western Reserve University with a BFA in the humanities and an emphasis on film history and criticism, Czapsky moved to New York City, where he attended a film studies graduate program at Columbia University and began working in the film production business in positions such as assistant cameraman, gaffer, and key grip, for productions like After Hours, Matewan, and Q.
His first feature film, On the Edge, was praised by Roger Ebert, who noted, "The movie creates a real sense of place: These arenâÂÂt Hollywood locations but rooms where human voices sound at home."
The independent success secured Czapsky a cinematographer role alongside Robert Chappell for Erroll Morrisâ The Thin Blue Line and Robert BiermanâÂÂs VampireâÂÂs Kiss.
Czapsky's more notable work has been with expressionist director Tim Burton, starting with Edward Scissorhands, which was praised for its ethereal atmosphere; then Batman Returns, which was shot on a Panavision Panaflex Gold II in 35mm; and Ed Wood, which would prove to be their most critically successful.
Batman Returns star Danny DeVito teamed up with Czapsky to work on the 1996 film Matilda.
From 2016, Czapsky shifted his work towards television, shooting episodes of Shades of Blue, Quantico, and God Friended Me.
Film
Documentary film
Television