Why ‘Starfleet Academy’ Needed to Ditch Anamorphic Lenses to Take Off — Watch

Cinematographer Tommy Maddox-Upshaw made a deliberate visual break with Star Trek tradition for the new "Starfleet Academy" series, abandoning the anamorphic lens aesthetic that has defined the franchise's recent visual language. The choice marked a significant departure from the cinematic look that characterized "Star Trek: Discovery," "Picard," and "Strange New Worlds."

Anamorphic lenses, prized for their distinctive stretched bokeh and lens flares, created an intentionally theatrical quality across those shows. For "Starfleet Academy," Maddox-Upshaw shifted toward spherical lenses instead, a decision that fundamentally reshaped the show's visual identity. The new approach emphasized clarity and a cleaner aesthetic, better suited to a series focused on younger cadets at the Federation's premier military institution.

The cinematographer explained his reasoning at IndieWire's Craft Roundtables, walking viewers through the technical and creative considerations behind the shift. By moving away from anamorphic's signature look, the production gained flexibility in framing and a sharper focus on character moments. The change also allowed for a fresher visual language that could distinguish "Starfleet Academy" as its own entity within the expanding Star Trek universe, rather than feeling like an extension of existing shows.

This decision reflects broader trends in television cinematography, where shows increasingly develop distinct visual signatures rather than adhering to franchise-wide aesthetics. The move separates "Starfleet Academy" visually from its predecessors while maintaining the Star Trek universe's production values.

The shift demonstrates how technical choices in cinematography shape viewer perception and establish a show's identity. For a series introducing new characters and a new setting within an established franchise, the visual grammar matters as much as the narrative. Maddox-Upshaw's choice to ditch anamorphic lenses became essential to launching "Starfleet Academy" as a distinct chapter in the Star Trek saga.