The lived experiences of writer-director Elegance Bratton are brought to the screen in The Inspection, which follows the character Ellis French (played by Jeremy Pope), a gay Black man who joins the Marines during the don't ask, don't tell era in the early 2000s. One of the things that drew me to Elegance's script and that I love about filmmaking, says cinematographer Lachlan Milne ASC, ACS, NZCS, is that this is a world I knew nothing about personally, so the movie was an opportunity to learn at the same time as create.
The feature had its premiere at last year's Toronto International Film Festival has garnered critical acclaim for Bratton's deft direction and Milne's observational camerawork. The filmmakers partnered with Panavision New Orleans and employed a package that included PVintage spherical optics and Panavised Alexa Mini cameras. Panavision had the opportunity to catch up with Milne and ask about his methods for crafting an honest look to suit the story.
Panavision: How would you describe the look of the film?
Lachlan Milne, ASC, ACS, NZCS: We spoke at length about what kind of film we wanted this to be. For this style of deeply personal subject matter, I find it really important to not get in the way. I like to light as little as possible, and I try and rely on practical sources that I can have in the frame or light from outside the room. We wanted this to feel observed and honest rather than influenced albeit for a few specific dream-sequence moments.
Elegance and I are both fans of minimal coverage, too, so we blocked ensemble scenes so we could shoot them wider. That also meant the actors could step on each other's lines, which I feel helps keep the scene like a real-time event. We shot spherical 2.39:1, which I love especially when you have a big cast. It lends itself so well to group scenes, plus you have the benefits of faster lenses with closer focus. When you're on a quick shooting schedule, that really helps.
Were there any particular visual references you looked at for inspiration?
Milne: We talked about a number of films during preproduction, but the largest influence for Elegance was Claire Denis' 1999 film Beau Travail about the French Foreign Legion. Full Metal Jacket obviously came up, An Officer and a Gentleman, Jarhead, Forrest Gump, Goodfellas, even films like Jaws and The Abyss.
What brought you to Panavision for this project?
Milne: I've done a lot with Panavision over the years, and you've always been so supportive. Even when I was a camera assistant in Sydney, I could turn up anytime and ask to load a mag or lace up a camera I hadn't used before.
We shot the film in Jackson, Mississippi, which didn't have the camera support we needed at the time, but Panavision New Orleans was just over a 3-hour's drive away. You also have the glorious PVintage lenses that I absolutely love.
What optical characteristics did you see in those lenses that made them the right match for The Inpection?
Milne: I think the PVintage lenses are my favorites because their combination of lens speed, close focus, focal lengths and compact size best suits how I work. I always operate A camera on movies and sometimes pull my own focus on handheld work, so I like a simple setup as much as possible. We had two cameras on The Inspection, with Ben Spaner doing a great job on B cam and Steadicam. I think the 29mm is the best lens I've ever used writer-director Lee Isaac Chung and I shot about 80 percent of Minari on that lens. The field of view is perfect, especially when you frame for a 2.39:1 letterbox.
How did The Inspection differ from other projects in your career?
Milne: The Inspection taught me a lot on a personal level. I had such a fantastic working relationship with Elegance, which has turned into a great friendship. We both love tennis, so we play together when were in the same town. Minari was also deeply personal, but in a very different way for Isaac than The Inspection was for Elegance, who's had some unbelievable tragedy throughout his life, and the fact that he made this film in the first place is a huge achievement. It was a kind of therapy or healing process for him, I think. That taught me a lot about perseverance, optimism and patience. Thematically, it's a film about toxic masculinity transitioning into a brotherhood and ultimately a form of acceptance. I'd never done a project like that before, and I love projects that teach me. The best projects are the ones that better you as a filmmaker and as a human.
What inspired you to become a cinematographer and what keeps you inspired today?
Milne: I knew pretty early on that I wanted to be a cinematographer, and the remarkable thing is that I never changed my mind. My dad was a director when I was growing up in Adelaide, South Australia, so I kind of absorbed the industry via osmosis a bit. The thing that struck me was how interesting and fun the people were. I think collaborating with smart, creative people is the best part of filmmaking. I always tell a director that I'll be as collaborative as they want me to be with them. I love it when we get excited about the same things, or when one of us suggests something totally different for a particular scene that makes it better. I really enjoy talking through what a script is about thematically and finding a way to use the camera to say that. Filmmaking isn't a mathematical equation. Its infinite in choices, and I love that.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
08/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
08/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
08/01/2026
Maxon's new release of Cinebench features performance enhancements and adds support for the latest Nvidia and AMD GPUs as well as Apple Silicon.
Maxon is t...
08/01/2026
Zixi, the industry leader in IP-based video transport and orchestration, today announced the appointment of Heather Mellish as Vice President, Global Sales.
In...
08/01/2026
Pebble, the leading automation, content management and integrated channel specialist, has provided a complete update of its installation at Canal Sur in Spain. ...
08/01/2026
iWedia, a global leader in software solutions for connected TV devices, proudly announces the success of its collaboration with Panasonic on the Z95B OLED TV, o...
08/01/2026
Secuoya Chile, a leading provider of television content creation and supporting services, has invested in Ikegami UHK-X600 and UHL-X40 broadcast cameras as the ...
08/01/2026
Kiloview, a global leader in AV-over-IP solutions, will showcase its latest innovations at ISE 2026, highlighting the continued evolution of its complete, light...
08/01/2026
iWedia, a global leader in software solutions for connected TV devices, and Realtek, a leading global SoC design house, today announced the next phase of their ...
08/01/2026
CJP Broadcast has completed a new pitch-side media installation for Cinderford RFC, creating a flexible production setup that supports match coverage, coaching ...
08/01/2026
PlayBox Neo further drives momentum in Playout, Streaming, Media Management and Delivery
"With a brand new year at PlayBox Neo already off to a flying start, I...
08/01/2026
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Presents Second Annual Commercial Dance BFA Conce...
07/01/2026
SVG Summit 2025: All General Sessions Now Available to Watch on SVG PLAYThe SVG Summit celebrated its 20th edition with a loaded agendaBy Brandon Costa, Directo...
07/01/2026
NBCU's Brings Rinkside Live' and Courtside Live' Features to Peaco...
07/01/2026
Spotify is launching a week-long celebration spotlighting creators at the center...
07/01/2026
We know people use Spotify not just to listen, but to share the songs, podcasts, and audiobooks they love with their friends and family. When we launched Messag...
07/01/2026
This week, all eyes are on the podcast industry as the Golden Globes recognizes ...
07/01/2026
Podcasts are stepping onto a new stage this week as the Golden Globes recognize the medium for the first time. To mark this milestone moment, we're hosting ...
07/01/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in collaboration with a distributor, is commissioning new micro-budget fiction feature films and invites eligible...
07/01/2026
NASA's Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft launches on the Artemis I flight test, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, from Launch Complex 39B at ...
07/01/2026
For the first time ever, new C' variants allow international users to interoperate with U.S. personnel via NSA-certified cryptography....
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
07/01/2026
Abu Dhabi, UAE 7, January 2026 - Abu Dhabi Police and Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), ...
07/01/2026
Back to All News
The Trailer of Paparazzi King: The 5-Episode Docuseries Coming...
07/01/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Supports Warner Bros. Discovery Board's Commitment...
07/01/2026
Back to All News
What Next? Netflix Reveals Series, Films and Games Coming in 2026
Entertainment
07 January 2026
Global
Link copied to clipboard
Download ...
07/01/2026
AI has transformed retail and consumer packaged goods (CPG) operations, enhancin...
06/01/2026
Peacock Bringing Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos to Live Sports ContentPeacock is the first streamer to embrace Dolbys full suite of advanced picture/sound innovat...
06/01/2026
SVG Europe Audio: Listening to the sounds of powder and ice at Milano Cortina wi...
06/01/2026
Quintar Meta Spatial SDK Integration Promises Next-Level XR ExperiencesBy Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 - 9:41 am
Print This...
The lived experiences of writer-director Elegance Bratton are brought to the screen in The Inspection, which follows the character Ellis French (played by Jeremy Pope), a gay Black man who joins the Marines during the don't ask, don't tell era in the early 2000s. One of the things that drew me to Elegance's script and that I love about filmmaking, says cinematographer Lachlan Milne ASC, ACS, NZCS, is that this is a world I knew nothing about personally, so the movie was an opportunity to learn at the same time as create. 
