Abstract

the final Public and Popular History seminar event this term will see a multi-media talk by Taylor Downing, award-winning independent producer (Flahsback TV), entitled “The Dynamics of TV history”, in which he will discuss the challenges of making history on TV, today, Tuesday, at 5pm, in the Bateman Auditorium in Gonville and Caius. Taylor Downing, a graduate of Christ College, is the Managing Director and Head of History at Flashback Television, which he co-founded in 1982. He is one of the UK’s most influential history film makers, and has made well over 200 documentaries on a wide range of subjects over the last thirty years, ranging from landmark history series to social affairs drama-docs. In terms of public perception, many consider him “Mr WWII ”, and indeed he has produced or directed numerous documentaries such as “Auschwitz: The Forgotten Evidence” (for Channel 4 & History Channel UK), “D-Day: The Lost Evidence” (History Channel US), or “Hitler’s Brides” (Channel 4). But he also signs responsible for a wide range of other documentaries, such as “Two Schools in Nablus” (co-produced between Al-Jazeera International and Teachers TV), “1983 – The Brink of Apocalypse” (winner of the Grierson Award for Best Historical Documentary, 2008); and “50 Things you need to know about British history” (7×1 hrs for History Channel UK and Daily Telegraph). At at time when government and funding bodies place a great emphasis on ‘public impact’, this is a good opportunity to engage with those who produce historical narratives for a mass audience. For more information about Flashback TV and Taylor Downing, please check out: http://www.fbtvonline.co.uk/index.php?page=taylor-downing