The Essential List: Ben Stephens
Ben Stephens is an award winning, London-based editor represented by Final Cut. Ben’s diverse portfolio work includes acclaimed commercials and music videos, as well as short film and narrative projects.
Lifestyle
● Place of birth: A five minute walk from Final Cut, London
● Hometown: London
● Staycation: Norfolk, where I grew up
● Vacation: Naxos, Greece
● Pets: Cats, Margo and Jerry
● Place of work: EB2, Final Cut, London
● Place of workout: Cycling through London
● Mode of transport: Vespa PX125
● Bonus travel essential: Crash helmet
Culture
● Artists: Hepworth, Hockney, Rego, Kusama, Bernini
● Musician: John Coltrane / Stereolab / Fugazi / Andrew Weatherall / Cocteau Twins / Love
● Commercials / music video director: Jonathan Glazer / Michel Gondry
● Film director: David Lean/ Lynch
● Photographer: Yevonde Middleton / Cartier-Bresson
● Film: The Apartment - Billy Wilder
● Series: Shōgun
● Commercial: Polaroid - Resignation - Michel Gondry
● Music video: El Guincho - Bombay - Canada (above)
● Video game: Sega NHL '94
● Board game: Exploding Kittens
● Book: The Magus, John Fowles
● Graphic novel: Tintin & The Broken Ear. Bandes dessinées are storyboards!
● Podcast: Team Deakins
● Newspaper (off or online): The Pink Un. On the Ball City!
● Magazine: Noble Rot
● Bonus culture essential: National Portrait Gallery
Food and Drink
● Breakfast: Poached egg on toast
● Restaurant: The Eagle, Farringdon
● Cheap bite: Shawarma at Taza, Queensway
● Working lunch: Whatever the room is ordering, but that should be Kêu
● Favourite dish: Cassoulet
● Signature dish: Greek lemon chicken and potatoes. Easy, comforting and evocative
● Snack: Perello Goral Picante olives
● Guilty pleasure: Bacon sandwich, white bread, red sauce
● Bar: Bar Termini
● Booze: Martini
● Not booze: Yorkshire Gold
● Bonus food: Capers
● Bonus beverage: Guinness
Kit
● Phone: Old iPhone, not sure which number
● Computer: Battered MacBook Pro
● TV: Sony Bravia
● Headphones: Sony WH
● Camera: Olympus OM2n/Contax T2. But really 80% iPhone
● Soundsystem: Technics 1210, Stanton 500
● Pen / pencil: Pilot V7 / Palomino Blackwing
● Where you document an idea: Apple Notes
● Casual clothing: Orslow
● Smart clothing: Orslow
● Footwear: Adidas Rod Laver
● Watch: Bell & Ross Hydromax
● Collection: Records. Many, many records
● App: IMDB
● Website: Sounds of the Universe / Rough Trade / Discogs
● Favourite social media feed: BBC Archive
● Work program: Avid Media Composer
● Digital work tool: Spotify
● Analogue work tool: Yellow A4 legal pad and pen
● Morning grooming essential: Kiehl’s Ultra Face Cream is doing the heavy lifting these days
● Bonus kit essential: Multiple pockets
