Tom Stern

Acclaimed cinematographer Tom Stern began his feature film career as a gaffer and best boy on a string of well-regarded independent features, including Sam Fuller's "White Dog" (1982). The film brought him in contact with cinematographer Bruce Surtees, who hired him as gaffer and chief lighting technician on most of Eastwood's features from the early 1980s through the early 2000s. After striking out on his own for projects like "American Beauty" (1999), he re-teamed with Eastwood as cinematographer on such critical and box office hits as "Million Dollar Baby" (2004), "Flags of Our Fathers" (2006), "The Changeling" (2008) and "Gran Torino" (2008). The level of artistry he brought to his craft, which was paid proper tribute by an Oscar nomination in 2008, made him among the finest directors of photography working in the industry.