Concept and creative process
The classic 1970s documentary series ‘The Ascent of Man’ examined the social and intellectual evolution of the human race. The Leonardo da Vinci study of a baby foetus is used as an icon for the series in the opening title. It is first encountered cut-out and gently revolving in a white void as the camera slowly zooms in. The foetus is then surrounded by the open womb for the final part of the zoom, before a mix through to the white void again and the programme title and credits. It is a simple, memorable and powerful image.