Stapleton has served as director of photography on numerous independent and studio films, including Stephen Frears' My Beautiful Laundrette, Prick Up Your Ears, Sammie and Rosie Get Laid, The Grifters, Hero, The Snapper, The Van and The Hi-Lo Country Julien Temples The Secret Policemans Other Ball, Absolute Beginners and Earth Girls Are Easy, which earned Stapleton an Independent Sprit Nomination, Michael Hoffmans Restless Natives, Restoration, One Fine Day and A Midsummer Nights Dream, Susan Seidelmans Cookie and She-Devil; Robert Altmans Kansas City, David Hares The Designated Mourner, Nicholas Hytners The Object of My Affection, Lasse Hallströms The Cider House Rules and Jez Butterworths Birthday Girl.