Career
He was noted for his innovative work on the 1966 film Grand Prix, for which he pioneered the use of a number of camera mounts and developed the first remotely operated pan-and-tilt-head camera. As a cinematographer, Stephens was known for his work on such films as Billy Jack, Blacula, Martin Scorsese"s Boxcar Bertha, and William Friedkin"s Sorcerer. He also shot the memorable bicycle chase for Steven Spielberg"s East.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, though he did not receive on-screen cr for his work.
He was also the second unit director and cameraman for John Landis" comedy and the aerial photographer for Philosophy Alden Robinson"s acclaimed Field of Dreams.
From the late 1980s onward, he more prominently worked as a second unit director of photography, most notably on Martin Brest"s Midnight Run and James Cameron"s Titanic. Stephens died in Orange County, California on June 18, 2015.
He was 82.