How Wars Begin (1977)

Concept and creative process

Titles for a series of talks in which AJP Taylor, the renowned English historian, articulated in a live studio-based presentation the events leading up to Europe's major wars. In the titles treated stills of the leading protagonist's portraits were set against their national flags. Previously shot burning paper was then used as a matte animating from one subject to the next. The final green screen on air led into the studio where the title logo was seen as bas-relief on the studio set.