In Human, the five-part series from BBC Studios Science Unit and PBS Nova, paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi journeys across continents to explore how Homo sapiens emerged as the sole surviving hominin species. From dramatic reconstructions to scientifically precise 3D models, the series relies on visual effects to tell a story that spans hundreds of thousands of years, most of which left no written record.
Tasked with creating historically accurate visuals for the docu-series, Lux Aeterna partnered closely with the BBC and photogrammetry specialists Sample & Hold to ensure the reconstructions met both creative and scientific authenticity. The result was 60 meticulously crafted shots across five hour-long episodes that reimagine our ancient ancestors without resorting to prosthetics or overly stylised effects.
Embedding VFX at the conceptual stage
This wasn’t Lux Aeterna’s first time working with the BBC on human evolution. The team previously contributed to Secrets of the Neanderthals, a co-production with Netflix. But this time, the remit was broader, and the approach was different.
“From the earliest stages, Lux Aeterna was involved in shaping the visual language of the show,” says Emma Kolasinska, executive producer at Lux Aeterna. “The BBC had been planning this series for over a year before shooting started, which meant we had the opportunity to problem-solve collaboratively rather than retrofit VFX in post.”
One of the biggest challenges was how to depict early humans convincingly on screen. For Secrets of the Neanderthals, the production had relied on full-body prosthetics, which, though effective, proved costly and logistically challenging for location shoots. For Human, the BBC was looking for a more sustainable and scalable alternative.
“We explored everything from facial tracking to digital makeup,” recalls Lux Aeterna’s compositing supervisor, Tav Flett. “But the technical complexity and cost of those solutions ended up being just as high as prosthetics. That’s when we proposed a photogrammetry-led approach.”
Photogrammetry as a production tool
Working in close collaboration with London-based photogrammetry specialists Sample & Hold, Lux Aeterna devised a pipeline that combined ultra-high-resolution body scans with iterative model refinements guided by BBC scientists. The goal was simple in theory: to create four historically accurate avatars, representing Jebel Irhoud (an archaeological site in Morocco known for the discovery of some of the oldest known fossils of Homo sapiens), Homo Floresiensis, and Homo Erectus, based on scientific data and real-world actors.
Casting was a critical first step. The production team sought performers whose physiology closely matched the early human archetypes. These actors were then scanned in full at Sample & Hold’s studio under strict conditions to ensure both accuracy and sensitivity.
The raw scans captured photorealistic surface detail and geometry, but they were just the starting point. Lux Aeterna then undertook a detailed model refinement process using skeletal data and research provided by BBC scientists. Bone lengths, joint placements, facial proportions, every detail was checked against anthropological records to create characters that could withstand scientific scrutiny.
“This wasn’t about stylised VFX,” says Flett. “The models had to be millimetre-accurate. We went back and forth with the BBC’s scientific advisors to make sure every ridge and contour aligned with fossil evidence.”
Augmenting reality without actors on set
The photogrammetry models were central to two of the episodes, “they served as a visualisation of what these early humans would have looked like as individuals,” Timmy Willmott, CG Supervisor, says. “Developed closely with science professionals to ensure their accuracy, they helped to reveal the similarities and differences to modern humans”.
As well as actor-led performances, digi-doubles were composited onto footage, helping the BBC avoid the logistical challenge of transporting actors to remote archaeological sites.
In addition to the photorealistic avatars, Lux Aeterna created CG elements that extended beyond human reconstructions. A woolly mammoth, composited into frame from green screen plates, makes an appearance in one sequence. Other additions included set extensions, 2D clean-up, and digitally added props, all designed to support the show’s documentary aesthetic without distracting from the factual content.
Creating context: maps and timelines
Another crucial strand of Lux Aeterna’s work was the creation of animated maps and timelines that visualised the migration, development, and disappearance of human species across millennia. These were not speculative graphics, they were built using datasets provided by BBC researchers and scientific consultants.
“Migration, early farming, the development of writing, and even the disappearance of land bridges, these were key narrative beats,” says Steve Burrell, Compositing Director. “We had to find a way to represent them visually, while remaining sensitive to complex variables like rising sea levels and shifting climates.”
One particular challenge was illustrating changing coastlines and submerged landmasses in a way that was both scientifically accurate and visually clear. Lux Aeterna created bespoke transitions and overlays to enable viewers to track these changes over time, while keeping the visual language consistent with the series’ grounded, cinematic style.
A model for future documentaries?
With its hybrid use of photogrammetry, scientific consultation, and minimalist compositing, Human delivers a robust model for factually rigorous historical reconstruction in television. It proves that high-end VFX doesn’t have to be cost-prohibitive or indulgent, it can be a precise and measured tool to support storytelling in science-based documentaries.
The series premiered at Sheffield DocFest, and its behind-the-scenes breakdowns were highlighted across BBC Earth, giving audiences a look into the craft and care that went into each visual decision.
For Lux Aeterna, Human demonstrates the studio’s commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration and technological innovation, bringing scientific accuracy and creative storytelling into perfect alignment.
“The whole point was to bring our ancestors to life in a way that was visually compelling, but also respectful of the science,” Hifle reflects. “We weren’t just creating shots. We were creating understanding.”
All episodes of Human are available on BBC iPlayer and the series began airing on PBS NOVA on 17th September.
