Howard Giles

Left: Howard Giles on the set of Historyonics - 1066

Howard directs Historical Film Services, which is the TV and film division of EventPlan Limited (of which he is Managing Director). He is an extremely experienced historical reconstructor and co-ordinator, a skill developed in the 80s when Head of Special Events for English Heritage, (1984-2000). He has personally directed hundreds of major recreations, many involving filming.

Howard appeared in Ticket to the Past, a highly yet informative video describing how to organise events. His innovations have included multi-period events such as History in Action, with close personal involvement in the development and creative direction of displays. Ideas brought to fruition included recreating a full Roman legionary Century of 80 men for the first time in 1500 years, and aircraft “attacking” ground troops in World War Two battles. Howard created many of EH’s more interesting events, noted for an imaginative use of ground, exciting scripts and authentic participants. And of course, he can do this for TV and film too.

By 2000 Howard felt that he had achieved all he could within English Heritage, so in September 2000 he resigned in order to form EventPlan (which later led to Historical Film Services), with the aim of offering his and associates’ skills more widely. He was immediately headhunted to organise and personally direct all major sequences for the ambitious Battle of Orgreave for Channel 4,  which was followed by numerous other projects. He recently found himself acting as a "Centurion in command" of over 100 Romans for a major 3 day shoot - "leading from the front" in costume being the most effective way of co-ordinating the action.

As a military historian, Howard offers his expertise as a historical consultant and advisor. He also enjoys scripting, narrating, presenting historical talks and commentaries. Howard lives with his partner Barbara in a converted C17th stone barn overlooking the green in the picturesque village of Seagrave, Leicestershire, which he finds a very convenient for work projects, being centrally-based.

Updated 5 April 2008