
Person
Steven Poster
Camera · Born 1944-03-01 · Chicago, Illinois, USA
Biography
Steven Barry Poster, A.S.C, I.C.G. (born 1 March 1944) is an American cinematographer and photographer who is the former President of the International Cinematographers Guild. He is best known for his collaborations with Richard Kelly, including the director's 2001 cult classic Donnie Darko. Poster began his career as a creative assistant at 'The Film Group,' a commercial film production company based in Chicago, Illinois. After being promoted to director of photography due to his skill at lighting, he met Herschell Gordon Lewis and worked with him in various crew positions on a total of three films. Poster founded a production company with director Michael Mann and served as the cinematographer on numerous industrial and education films. He served as the second-unit director of photography on Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Poster joined the American Society of Cinematographers in 1987, relocating to Hollywood in the process. He shot the iconic music video to Madonna's "Like a Prayer", as well as commercials directed by Ridley Scott and Kinka Usher. In 1988, he was nominated for the ASC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatrical Releases for his work on Someone to Watch Over Me. Poster served as the President of the ASC between 2002-2003. In 2006, he received an Emmy nomination for Mrs. Harris. That same year, he was elected as the National President of the International Cinematographers Guild, a position he held until 2019. Source: Article "Steven Poster" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Known for

Blade Runner
Additional Photography

Hemlock Grove
Director of Photography

Donnie Darko
Director of Photography

Flypaper
Director of Photography

Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Second Unit Director of Photography

The Box
Director of Photography

Daddy Day Care
Director of Photography

Rocky V
Director of Photography

Spread
Director of Photography

Stuart Little 2
Director of Photography
Filmography
- 2026Scared to DeathExecutive Producer
- 2022'Round Miles: A Miles Davis DocumentaryDirector of Photography
- 2021Who Is Bill Rebane?Self
- 2021It's a Madcap World: The Making of an Unfinished FilmHimself
- 2020For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del CloseDirector of Photography
- 2017Amityville: The AwakeningDirector of Photography
- 2016Deus ex Machina: The Philosophy of 'Donnie Darko'Self
- 2014Walking with Dinosaurs: Prehistoric Planet 3DCinematography
- 2013Hemlock GroveDirector of Photography
- 2011FlypaperDirector of Photography
- 2010Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty GaloreDirector of Photography
- 2009The BoxDirector of Photography
- 2009SpreadDirector of Photography
- 2009No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & VilmosSelf
- 2008USIDent TV: Surveilling the SouthlandSelf (as Steven B. Poster)
- 2007The Light That Burns: Remembering Jordan CronenwethSelf
- 2007Southland TalesDirector of Photography
- 2003Daddy Day CareDirector of Photography
- 2002Stuart Little 2Director of Photography
- 2001Donnie DarkoDirector of Photography
- 2000Mission to MarsSecond Unit Director of Photography
- 1999The Rage: Carrie 2Second Unit Director of Photography
- 1998Half a ChanceDirector of Photography
- 1998A Midwife's TaleDirector of Photography
- 1997Eye of GodThanks
- 1997RocketManDirector of Photography
- 1997Color of JusticeDirector of Photography
- 1996Once You Meet a StrangerDirector of Photography
- 1994Nunzio's Second CousinDirector of Photography
- 1994RoswellDirector of Photography
- 1993The Cemetery ClubDirector of Photography
- 1991Life StinksDirector of Photography
- 1990Rocky VDirector of Photography
- 1990Madonna: The Immaculate CollectionDirector of Photography
- 1990Shangri-La PlazaDirector of Photography
- 1990Disneyland's 35th Anniversary CelebrationDirector of Photography
- 1990Opportunity KnocksCinematography
- 1989Next of KinDirector of Photography
- 1988Big Top Pee-weeDirector of Photography
- 1988Aloha SummerDirector of Photography
- 1987Someone to Watch Over MeDirector of Photography
- 1987I'll Take ManhattanDirector of Photography
- 1986CourageDirector of Photography
- 1986The Boy Who Could FlyDirector of Photography
- 1986Blue CityDirector of Photography
- 1985The Heavenly KidDirector of Photography
- 1985The New KidsDirector of Photography
- 1984StarmanSecond Unit Director of Photography
- 1984The RiverSecond Unit Director of Photography
- 1983TestamentDirector of Photography
- 1983Strange BrewDirector of Photography
- 1983The Cradle Will FallDirector of Photography
- 1983Spring BreakDirector of Photography
- 1982Blade RunnerAdditional Photography
- 1982Mysterious TwoDirector of Photography
- 1981Coward of the CountyDirector of Photography
- 1981Dead & BuriedDirector of Photography
- 1980Blood BeachDirector of Photography
- 1980Gallagher: An Uncensored EveningCamera Operator
- 1979Beggarman, ThiefCinematography
- 1979Beggarman, ThiefCamera Operator
- 1979The Night RiderDirector of Photography
- 1978The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic TankDirector of Photography
- 1977Close Encounters of the Third KindSecond Unit Director of Photography
- 1965Monster a Go-Go!Additional Photography
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