Concept and creative process
‘Life On Earth’ was the first of a series of epic productions from David Attenborough for the BBC. This series covered the history of nature and a re-enactment of 3,500 million years, covering all major events especially the evolution of life from multi-celled organisms. The producer required an opening title and other design contributions, from a DNA moving spiral to placing a dinosaur right next to David Attenborough on a mountain top.
The opening title was an idea from Charles McGhie, the senior designer, assisted at that time by Bob English. There is nothing more significant than the sun for the birth of the earth and the beginning of life. This opening title began with epic solar flares which were based on real footage. They were enhanced in post-production by offsetting 3 layers and adding chroma colours to give them a more dramatic presence. The final and most epic solar flare revealed planet earth. The sun’s eclipse of the earth then revealed the main title.