Cinematographer Tommy Maddox-Upshaw made a deliberate choice to abandon anamorphic lenses for "Starfleet Academy," Paramount's fresh spinoff that launches the next generation of Star Trek storytelling. The decision represents a significant visual departure for the franchise, one Maddox-Upshaw discussed at IndieWire's Craft Roundtables.
Anamorphic lenses, favored for their distinctive bokeh and cinematic wide-screen aesthetic, have defined much of Star Trek's recent visual identity. But Maddox-Upshaw determined that "Starfleet Academy" needed its own identity to succeed as a coming-of-age drama set in the Star Trek universe. The shift away from anamorphic glass signals a conscious effort to differentiate this series from its predecessors, particularly the Kurtzman-era shows like "Discovery," "Picard," and "Strange New Worlds."
The choice reflects broader industry trends where spinoffs carve out distinct visual languages to appeal to specific audiences. "Starfleet Academy" targets younger viewers with aspirational storytelling centered on new cadets, making a cleaner, more accessible visual approach logical. The new cinematographic strategy supports this positioning without the heavy, letterboxed aesthetic that anamorphic work demands.
Maddox-Upshaw's approach prioritizes clarity and immediacy, tools essential for character-driven narrative. By shedding the anamorphic signature, the cinematographer creates space for intimacy and detail that younger audiences expect from prestige television. The Academy campus becomes a character itself, rendered with texture and specificity rather than retro-cinematic flourish.
This technical pivot matters for Paramount+, which faces intense streaming competition. "Star Trek" has built devoted fanbases across multiple shows, but "Starfleet