Viacom Productions: Difference between revisions

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'''Logo:''' Just an in-credit text variant where it says "In association with CBS Films Inc." or "For CBS Films, Inc.".

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File:Viacom Pinball (1972, Odyssey airing).png

File:ViacomPic.png

File:ViacomP.png|Black and white variant

File:Viacom Enterprises (In-credit, 1972, Whats My Line) 1.png|In-credit variant

'''Logo:''' The word "'''{{small|V}}i{{small|ACOM}}'''" in white, a group of letters at a time (in an ascending number: "'''{{small|V}}'''" (1), "'''i{{small|A}}'''" (2) and "'''{{small|COM}}'''" (3)), slide in from the right, with the background changing color as each one stops. As the screen fades to {{Font color|purple|purple}}, the letter "'''{{small|V}}'''" slides in. Then "'''i{{small|A}}'''" slides in, changing the background to {{Font color|green|green}}. Then "'''{{small|COM}}'''" slides in, changing the background to {{Font color|darkred|red}}. When the word "'''{{small|V}}i{{small|ACOM}}'''" is formed, the camera quickly pans outward and the words "'''{{small|A}}'''" and "'''p{{small|RESENTAT}}i{{small|ON}}'''" are seen to the left and right of the word "'''{{small|V}}i{{small|ACOM}}'''", over a {{Font color|blue|blue}} background.

* Other sources would have this logo completely out of sync with the sound effects.

* There is a dark color variant, possibly due to film deterioration.

* In-credit text such as "A Viacom (Enterprises) Presentation (or "Production")" or "In Association With Viacom Enterprises" would be shown on ''The $25,000 Pyramid'' and Goodson-Todman game shows, among other co-produced series and TV movies. This continued on into the '80s on shows like ''Family Feud''.

'''Music/Sounds:''' 4 synthesized ascending pinball-like chimes. The first 3 bring up the letters to "'''{{small|V}}i{{small|ACOM}}'''", and the last, which plays over the zoom-out, has a zap-like "WHOOSH" that blends in with the last bell, combined with a synth chord and gurgling/telephone-like sounds.

<div style='text-align: center;'><u>'''Filmed and Videotaped Variants'''</u></div>

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Viacom Enterprises (1976, Ultra Dark B&W).jpg|Ultra dark black and white version

Viacom Enterprises (1976, Dark B&W).jpg|Dark black and white version

Viacom V0D (Filmed, B-W, 1970's) (Decades airing).png|Filmed version in black and white

Viacom Enterprises (Earlier color variant, Filmed, 1977).png|Early color version of the filmed variant

Viacom Enterprises V of Moon.png|"V of Moon" version

Viacom V0D (Filmed, 1970's).png|Filmed version in color

Viacom V0D (Videotaped, Color).png|Videotaped version in color

Viacom Enterprises 1978-1986 Videotaped B&W.png|Videotaped version in black and white

Viacom Enterprises (1978, Orange Videotaped).jpg|Orange videotaped version

Viacom Enterprises (lime) (1978).png|Lime version

Viacom (Turquoise).jpg|Turquoise version

Viacom (Hot Pink).png|Pink version

<div style='text-align: center;'><u>'''Network Variants'''</u></div>

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Viacom V0D (Original Network Variant, 1984).png|Normal version

Viacom V of Doom (Network Version) with Copyright Notice.png|With copyright notice

Viacom Productions (1984, Mirrored).jpg|With a mirrored "V"

<div style='text-align: center;'><u>'''In-Credit Variants'''</u></div>

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Viacom Enterprises (In-credit, 1985, Family Feud) 1.png|''Family Feud'' (1985)

'''Logo:''' On a {{Font color|deepskyblue|sky blue}} (or {{font color|mediumpurple|lavender}}) background, the text "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''A Viacom Presentation'''</span>" in a Palatino-like typeface zooms-in from the center of the screen at a very fast pace, then stops abruptly (on the filmed variant) when it gets near to the screen. Then, a fancy-cut, {{Font color|navy|navy blue}} "{{Font color|navy|'''V'''}}" (a downward trapezoid with a curved line in the near center) comes from the center and moves gradually closer and closer to the screen. When it gets to the point where the "'''V'''" takes up nearly the entire screen, the screen suddenly cuts to black or fades to black (depending on the version of the logo), with the "'''V'''" presumably still moving ever closer.

* A network television version exists from 1979 until 1985, consisting of the black "'''V'''" with the white text "{{font|Times New Roman|'''Viacom'''}}" underneath, with a {{font color|#2e8b57|sea green}}/{{font color|#00008b|dark blue}} background.

** Usually, the black "'''V'''" and the name "{{font|Times New Roman|'''Viacom'''}}" zoom-in together and stop smoothly once it has come to a huge size.

** Sometimes, the "'''V'''" slides-in from the left with "{{font|Times New Roman|'''Viacom'''}}" sliding-in from the right.

** A variation of the network version features a copyright stamp for "Viacom International" appearing at the bottom once the "'''V'''" stopped to zoom almost completely.

* Videotaped variants have the words "{{font|Times New Roman|'''A'''}}" and "{{font|Times New Roman|'''Viacom'''}}" spaced farther apart, and the animation is more smooth. This was used from 1978 to 1986. Color variants include monochrome, {{font color|slateblue|purple}} background with {{font color|navy|dark blue}} "'''V'''", and faint {{font color|mediumpurple|purple}} with {{font color|turquoise|blue}} "'''V'''", among others.

* An extremely rare videotaped variant featuring a {{font color|gold|yellow}} "{{font color|gold|'''V'''}}" was used on some syndicated prints of ''The Honeymooners'', appearing in a giant moon over a cityscape where the credits appear. This is a result of a chroma-key mistake. This variation was given the nickname "V of Moon".

* There is also a rare videotaped variant with a {{font color|lightgreen|jungle green}} background and a {{font color|green|Charleston green}} "{{font color|green|'''V'''}}".

* An extremely rare {{font color|turquoise|turquoise}} variant with an {{font color|navy|ultramarine blue}} "'''V'''" was used in 1984. The "'''V'''" stops moving before we fade to black.

* A videotaped variant of this logo has an {{font color|#ffd900|orange}} background and a {{font color|navy|midnight blue}} "'''V'''" seen on 1978 episodes of ''You Don't Say!''. There is also a warp speed version of this.

* There is an uncommon "warp-speed" videotaped variation that has a much sped up logo and music. This was used along side co-distributor idents and was seen from 1979-1986.

* A variant where the "'''V'''" is {{font color|darkred|dark red}} on a {{font color|pink|pink}} background appeared on the 1985 syndicated series ''The Star Games''. It also appeared on a 1994 rerun of an episode of ''The Andy Griffith Show''.

* In-credit text would either say "A Viacom (Enterprises) Presentation", "In Association with Viacom Enterprises", "Distributed by Viacom Enterprises", or "Produced in association with Viacom Enterprises." This appeared on ''The $25,000 Pyramid'', syndicated versions of Goodson-Todman game shows, and some TV and theatrical movies.  

*'''''Filmed and Videotaped Variants'':''' The text zooming in from screen center and the "V" logo zooming in.

*'''''Network Variants'':''' Usually the logo zooming in from the screen center. Sometimes, it's the "V" and the "Viacom" text sliding in from the opposite sides. For the mirrored "V" logo, the logo flipping in. For the still logo, obviously none.

'''Availability:''' Uncommon, bordering on rare, but it has become a bit easier to find in the past few years. Most shows that had this ID have been updated with either the "V of Steel" or "Wigga Wigga", Paramount Domestic Television, CBS Paramount Domestic/Network Television, or CBS Television Distribution. However, newer variants might be seen on local stations that show older Viacom shows, such as ''The Honeymooners'', ''I Love Lucy'', ''The Andy Griffith Show'', ''Rawhide'', ''Hogan's Heroes'', ''The Twilight Zone'', and ''Gomer Pyle: U.S.M.C.'' All variants of the "V of Doom" (with the exception of the "V of Pinball" until evidence is found) can be seen on VHS tapes of ''The Andy Griffith Show'' released by various video outlets such as Premier Promotions and sometimes (though mostly the videotaped variant) by UAV Corporation.

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* '''Opening:''' On a black background, we see the "'''V'''" rotating to the center in a {{font color|red|r}}{{font color|orange|a}}{{font color|gold|i}}{{font color|green|n}}{{font color|blue|b}}{{font color|magenta|o}}{{font color|purple|w}} streak. Then, the {{font color|red|r}}{{font color|orange|a}}{{font color|gold|i}}{{font color|green|n}}{{font color|blue|b}}{{font color|magenta|o}}{{font color|purple|w}} streak lines out of the logo. After that, the "'''V'''" flashes to {{Font color|deepskyblue|bright cerulean}} and the word "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">{{Font color|deepskyblue|'''Viacom'''}}</span>" in the same color flashes in with the word "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">{{Font color|deepskyblue|presents}}</span>" below. As the opening theme comes up, we zoom up to the left corner of the "'''V'''" step-by-step until it engulfs the screen with blue.

* '''Closing:''' At the end of the reel, we see the "{{Font color|deepskyblue|'''V'''}}" with the word "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">{{Font color|deepskyblue|'''Viacom'''}}</span>" in {{Font color|deepskyblue|blue}} and the word "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">{{font color|deepskyblue|from}}</span>" above the "'''V'''" and they all zoom in towards the viewer.

'''FX/SFX:''' The rotating of the "'''V'''" to the center, the colors lining out of the logo, the flash of "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">{{Font color|deepskyblue|presents}}</span>" and the "'''V'''", the zoom-in to the corner of the "'''V'''" in step with the opening theme. The quick zoom-in to center with a flash at the end of the reel.

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'''Logo:''' We start off in outer space. The words "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''''Special'''''</span>" and "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''''Delivery'''''</span>" streaks through the sun that is in the background leaving a {{font color|red|r}}{{font color|orange|a}}{{font color|gold|i}}{{font color|green|n}}{{font color|blue|b}}{{font color|magenta|o}}{{font color|purple|w}} trail. Then on a {{font color|blue|blue}}/black gradient background, the two words fly to a ring with wings. "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''''From'' Viacom'''</span>" with "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''Viacom'''</span>" bigger, are also in this logo above the familiar "'''V'''" from the 2nd logo. The logo then constantly shines throughout the logo, with it occasionally flashing. At the end, a firework flash effect emerges from the logo.

* A extended version also exists, where "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''''From'' Viacom'''</span>" is added to the streaking words, followed by the border being formed. It rotates and drops down as a rainbow-trailing outline, before retracting and fading to the gold version, flashing once. The rest is unchanged.

'''Music/Sounds:''' After the drum roll at the start, a majestic 13-note fanfare plays, with the last note held out. The last half plays for the short version, while its extended for the long version.

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File:Viaconn (1986).png

File:VofClamOrange.png|Orange variant

'''Logo:''' On a black background, we see a still image of the Viacom "'''V'''" logo in {{Font color|deepskyblue|blue}}. Below that is the "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''Viacom'''</span>" name in white.

'''Variant:''' On ''Really Weird Tales'', the "'''V'''" and name are smaller and colored {{Font color|orange|orange}}.

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File:Vopening.png|Opening

File:5eba5ad2e1df9abd0bacbc10e7c3ca7b.png|Closing

* '''Opening:''' Against a space background with twinkling stars, a metallic steel outline of the Viacom "'''V'''" and "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''Viacom'''</span>" in its familiar Palatino-like font zoom back with a metallic steel trail effect. The trail effect finishes as the "'''V'''" turns solid and metallic textured and "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''Viacom'''</span>" turns solid {{font color|gray|gray}}. The logo shines in a similar manner as the "Special Delivery" logo before flying downwards and offscreen.

* '''Closing:''' Against a city skyline with a {{font color|purple|purple}} night sky with most of the building's lights switched on and twinkling stars (a colorized version of the city from the opening credits of ''The Honeymooners''), the metallic textured "'''V'''" forms out of light particles. The word "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''Viacom'''</span>" forms in the same manner as before. The logo shines once completed.

'''Music/Sounds/Voice-over:''' The closing theme of the show. Promotional reels featured a voice over (pronouncing the name as "Vee-a-Com".)

'''Editor's Note:''' The Scanimate-like 3D effects on the logo are admirable, even if the results can look unconvincing. It's also a precursor to the next logo below.

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File:ViacomSteel.png.png

File:ViacomSteelB&W.png|Black and white version

'''Logo:''' We start out with a screen, divided half black/{{font color|purple|purple}} gradient on top and half {{font color|silver|silver}} on the bottom with a bright light flare shining between. The {{font color|silver|silver}} part then rotates counter-clockwise (a la [[20th Century Fox Home Entertainment#CBS/Fox Video|CBS/Fox Video]]), revealing it is a steel version of the "'''V'''" logo as the background changes to a black/{{font color|blue|blue}}/{{font color|purple|purple}} gradient. The word "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''Viacom'''</span>" flies in from the upper-left of the screen and places itself under the "'''V'''", and the "'''V'''" shines.

* VHS tapes containing this logo and select TV broadcasts have the "'''V'''" shining three times.

* There is also a variant where the "'''V'''" shines four times. It has been seen on episodes of ''Rawhide'', ''Perry Mason'', ''Matlock'' (seasons 1-4), ''Hogan's Heroes'', ''The Adventures of the Little Koala'', ''Finders Keepers'' (Toffler version), ''Easy Street'' (1986 series), and the 1986 revival of ''Split Second''. There is also a warp speed version of this, as well as a rare ultra warp speed variant.

* There is a variant where the "'''V'''" doesn't shine at all. It was only seen on ''We Love Lucy''; the 30-minute re-edit of ''The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour''.

* On Fox's ''Family Double Dare'', the logo fades in after the Nickelodeon logo with the "'''V'''" is already in place, then the "'''V'''" shines two times before fading out.

* There is a variant where both the "'''V'''" and the word "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''Viacom'''</span>" appear to be in higher contrast, making the logo look shinier than before.

* One version had a {{font color|navy|midnight blue}} screen with text saying "DISTRIBUTED BY", and then after a second, it cut to the "'''V'''" in the middle of its animation, with the full music playing throughout.

* Another version cuts to when the "'''V'''" turns. This is unofficially known as the "in-progress" variant.

'''Music/Sounds/Voice-over Variants:'''

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File:ViacomWiggaWigga1990.png|Original version (1990-1998)

File:Viacom (1996) - Filmed Variant.png|Filmed version

File:Viacom Wigga Wigga B&W.png|Black and white version of the original version

File:ViacomProductions1998.jpg|Productions version (1998-1999)

File:Viacom Productions Exclusive Distributor.jpg|Version of the Productions version with the byline "Viacom Productions Inc. Exclusive Distributor"

{{YouTube|id4=is64X039Bow|id6=TXeAhL_b6jk|id7=-mSBSfxoGrY|id8=ojyvozkrTOY|id9=vZXO-MZwhFg|id10=eJex4_CJ64w|id11=MGytiLQuOao|id13=Dzw0RdrFzlo}}

'''Logo:''' On a shaded {{font color|blue|blue}} background, a {{font color|silver|silver}} "'''V'''" flies from the bottom left and then backwards. As it does so, a zig-zag line comes out of it to form the other letters in the name (it shines as it does this), with the "'''A'''" and "'''M'''" still taking the form of zig-zags, forming the word, "'''VIACOM'''". The completed logo, which kind of looks like "\/|/\'''CO'''/\/\", shines.

'''Trivia:''' Many people think the announcer is mispronouncing the name Viacom. It is indeed long "i", like in "pr<u>i</u>ze", although the original pronunciation of the name pre-1986 was indeed with a short "i", like in "p<u>i</u>zza", hence the pronunciation "vee-a-com". Oddly, the post-1986 pronunciation was used by the announcer on the Magnetic Video logo several years before it became the official pronunciation.

*Several shows would have the name already formed during the later years, with the only animation being the shining of the letters.

*There is a text variation on this logo for Viacom Productions. It has the "'''VIACOM'''" text already formed, but a line slides in from the right and forms into "'''PRODUCTIONS'''" in Futura Extra Bold font, after which the "'''C'''" and the "'''O'''" in "'''VIACOM'''" shine. This shorter variation was seen on network TV productions from 1998-1999. There was another variant of this in which the text doesn't shine at all, used on ''Diagnosis: Murder''.

*On the 1998 TV movie ''Inferno'' and the 1999 TV movie ''The Apartment Complex'', the Productions variant has the text "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">''Viacom Productions, Inc. Exclusive Distributor''</span>" in two lines below.

* For the newly-formed Viacom International, the same logo is accompanied by different music. A synthesized whoosh is heard first, leading into a jingle played on a flute being heard as the line uncurls. As the logo finishes, a faint choir is heard in the background. Synthesized "shining" sounds can be heard throughout the entire logo. The LaFontaine voice-over is still heard.

*Some versions have no LaFontaine voice-over. The Viacom Productions logo is one of these, except the variant used on ''Diagnosis: Murder''. An extremely short version with no LaFontaine voice-over was seen for a brief time in 1996. This version would also have the Paramount Domestic Television logo play almost immediately afterwards.

*There is another variant with the "V of Doom" music now playing faintly instead on some episodes of ''The Twilight Zone'' on Syfy, ''Perry Mason'', and ''The Honeymooners'' both on Me-TV and last aired on WGN America. Sometimes, the short version plays with the normal music, but the "V of Doom" music can be heard again faintly in the background. This is sometimes called the "Ghost of the V of Doom".

'''Editor's Note:''' Another beloved logo by some for its good-looking CGI, music (especially on the International variant), and classic voice-over. This also marked a departure from the "V" logo that was used for the past fourteen years. The core design initially lasted for fifteen years, but even after the current Viacom debuted in 2006, some logos from Paramount have prolonged use of its font past its original lifespan; for example, the movie logo maintained it for their byline until at least 2010 (before ''Iron Man 2''), and the home entertainment logos retained this until the near-entirety of the 2010s, yet prior to the 2019 Blu-Ray/DVD release of ''Bumblebee'', which uses the normal 2011 Paramount logo.

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File:Viacom Productions Logo 1999.jpg|Normal version (1999-2002)

Viacom Zoomed Out Crop 16 9 in 4 3.jpg|Cropped 16:9 zoomed out with borders (in 4:3)

Viacom (2001).png|Cropped 16:9 zoomed out with borders (in 16:9)

Viacom 2002.png|Later version with bolder letters (2002-2004)

Viacom 2002 Stretched.png|Version of the 2002 variant stretched to 16:9

IAW Viacom Productions A Paramount Company.png|IAW version of the 2002 variant

Viacom Productions Logo 1999 Cropped Widescreen.png|Cropped 16:9 version of the 2002 variant

Viacom Productions Logo 2000s Widescreen.png|True 16:9 version of the 2002 variant

'''Logo:''' On a smoky {{font color|blue|blue}} background, we see the glass letters of "\/|/\'''CO'''/\/\" zooming out, being stacked in front of each other, then spreading out. The background is full of "Wigga-Wigga"-type "\/|/\'''CO'''/\/\" letters along with a {{font color|blue|blue}} smoke effect slowly clearing out. Underneath "\/|/\'''CO'''/\/\" is the text "'''PRODUCTIONS'''" in Futura Extra Bold font moving up ala the "Float In" animation of the Microsoft PowerPoint with a line and the byline "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''''a Paramount company'''''</span>" (in the text used for the [[Paramount Pictures]] logo) fading in below "\/|/\'''CO'''/\/\ '''PRODUCTIONS'''".