Channel: BBC / PBS
Client: BBC Studios
Date: New Years Day 2024
Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster
One hundred and fifty million years ago, the oceans were ruled by a formidable predator: the pliosaur, the Tyrannosaurus rex of the seas. Today, a remarkably intact skull has been discovered in the cliffs of the Jurassic Coast, and Sir David Attenborough joins two of the UK’s most intrepid fossil hunters, Steve Etches and Chris Moore, on a perilous expedition to excavate it twelve metres above the waves. For Sir David, an avid fossil collector since childhood, this represents a discovery unlike any other.
Holey & Moley were commissioned to develop and style this landmark BBC and PBS documentary, crafting an evocative graphic identity that threaded seamlessly through every on‑screen element. From the title sequence to explanatory graphics, animated maps, text integrations, composites, and 3D sequences, we ensured the visual language conveyed both scientific authority and cinematic drama. Our design approach was carefully calibrated to align with BBC One’s blue‑chip branding while accommodating PBS’s co‑production requirements, creating a transatlantic visual identity that felt cohesive and distinctive.
Collaboration was at the heart of the project. Working alongside the talented VFX team at Bandito, we integrated our motion graphics with their stunning 3D visualisations of the pliosaur, blending real-world landscapes with digital creatures in a way that felt authentic, immersive, and thrilling. Every graphic and sequence was designed to support the storytelling, helping viewers experience the awe, scale, and scientific significance of this extraordinary find.
The BBC special premiered on New Year’s Day in prime time, bringing audiences into the heart of a once-in-a-lifetime discovery. For Holey & Moley, this project exemplifies our approach to creative collaboration: combining rigorous craft, innovative visual storytelling, and thoughtful design to elevate landmark documentaries. We look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of what motion graphics can contribute to natural history storytelling.
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