Viacom Productions: Difference between revisions

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Viacom Productions (view source)

Revision as of 18:48, 20 April 2023

21 bytes added ,  20 April 2023
→‎1st Logo (June 4, 1971-June 1976)
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===Background===
===Background===
'''Viacom Enterprises''' was the television distribution division of the CBS Television Network, formed in 1952 as '''CBS Television Film Sales''', later renamed to '''CBS Films''' in 1958, '''CBS Enterprises, Inc.''' in 1968, then to Viacom in 1970. In 1971, it was spun-off because it was against the FCC regulations for a television network to distribute its programs under its own name. Subsequently, Viacom formed "Viacom Productions" to produce first-run television series airing on the major television networks.
'''Viacom Enterprises''' was the television distribution division of the CBS Television Network, formed in 1952 as '''CBS Television Film Sales''', later renamed to '''CBS Films''' in 1958, '''CBS Enterprises, Inc.''' in 1968, then to Viacom in 1970. In 1971, it was spun-off to comply with FCC regulations prohibiting television networks from distributing their programs unde their own names. Subsequently, Viacom formed "Viacom Productions" to produce first-run television series airing on the major television networks.


The company was popular during the 1970s and 1980s, originally distributing CBS-produced shows such as ''I Love Lucy'' and ''The Andy Griffith Show''. In later years, they've distributed shows from numerous other production companies, including [[MTM Enterprises]], [[Filmways Television]], [[The Carsey-Werner Company|Carsey/Werner]], [[Lorimar Television]], [[Rankin-Bass]], and [[Hanna-Barbera Cartoons|Hanna-Barbera]] (the latter mostly internationally). They also distributed several [[Four Star International|Four Star]] shows, and early [[Nelvana Enterprises|Nelvana]] TV specials, as well as most movie releases from Romulus Films, [[Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions|Hallmark Hall of Fame]], [[Tomorrow Entertainment]], [[New World Pictures]] (until 1984), [[Orion Pictures]], [[New Line Cinema]], [[Cannon Films]], and the [[Terrytoons]] library, among others, until they formed their own syndication companies. In 1976, Viacom and its production division formed "Viacom International, Inc." as their new parent company for distributing programs overseas.
The company was popular during the 1970s and 1980s, originally distributing CBS-produced shows such as ''I Love Lucy'' and ''The Andy Griffith Show''. In later years, they've distributed shows from numerous other production companies, including [[MTM Enterprises]], [[Filmways Television]], [[The Carsey-Werner Company|Carsey/Werner]], [[Lorimar Television]], [[Rankin-Bass]], and [[Hanna-Barbera Cartoons|Hanna-Barbera]] (the latter mostly internationally). They also distributed several [[Four Star International|Four Star]] shows, and early [[Nelvana Enterprises|Nelvana]] TV specials, as well as most movie releases from Romulus Films, [[Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions|Hallmark Hall of Fame]], [[Tomorrow Entertainment]], [[New World Pictures]] (until 1984), [[Orion Pictures]], [[New Line Cinema]], [[Cannon Films]], and the [[Terrytoons]] library, among others, until they formed their own syndication companies. In 1976, Viacom and its production division formed "Viacom International, Inc." as their new parent company for distributing programs overseas.
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'''Technique:''' Camera-controlled/cel animation.
'''Technique:''' Camera-controlled/cel animation.


'''Music/Sounds:''' 4 synthesised ascending pinball-like chimes. The first 3 play as each part of "'''{{small|V}}i{{small|ACOM}}'''" slides in, 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.
'''Music/Sounds:''' Four synthesised ascending pinball-like chimes. The first 3 play as each part of "'''{{small|V}}i{{small|ACOM}}'''" slides in, 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.


'''Music/Sounds Variants:'''
'''Music/Sounds Variants:'''
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'''Availability:''' Ultra rare, due to excessive plastering with later Viacom logos, [[Paramount Television (1967-2006)|Paramount Domestic Television]] logos, the [[CBS Studios|CBS Paramount Domestic/Network Television]] logos, and the [[CBS Media Ventures|CBS Television Distribution]] logos.
'''Availability:''' Ultra rare, due to excessive plastering with later Viacom logos, [[Paramount Television (1967-2006)|Paramount Domestic Television]] logos, the [[CBS Studios|CBS Paramount Domestic/Network Television]] logos, and the [[CBS Media Ventures|CBS Television Distribution]] logos.
* The colour version turned up on many season 11 & 12 episodes of ''My Three Sons'' on Odyssey Network/The Hallmark Channel back in the early 2000s. Many variations have also been spotted on these episodes when shown on Me-TV, as part of an unusual combo with CBS Television Distribution preceding it (with the exception of one episode, S12 E23, which first aired on August 2, 2018.) These sightings mark the first known time this Viacom logo has been seen on national American television since the Odyssey/Hallmark airings from the early 2000s.
* The colour version turned up on many season 11 and 12 episodes of ''My Three Sons'' on Odyssey Network/The Hallmark Channel back in the early 2000s. Many variations have also been spotted on these episodes when shown on Me-TV, as part of an unusual combo with CBS Television Distribution preceding it (with the exception of one episode, S12 E23, which first aired on August 2, 2018.) These sightings mark the first known time this Viacom logo has been seen on national American television since the Odyssey/Hallmark airings from the early 2000s.
* The dark variant was spotted on several color episodes of ''My Three Sons'' and the Magnetic Video VHS release of ''5 Terrytoon Cartoons Featuring Heckle and Jeckle''.
* The dark variant was spotted on several color episodes of ''My Three Sons'' and the Magnetic Video VHS release of ''5 Terrytoon Cartoons Featuring Heckle and Jeckle''.
* This logo also appears on earlier 16mm syndication dupes of shows/movies distributed by Viacom, mostly before 1976, which occasionally appear on eBay. Such shows include: ''My Three Sons'', ''Hogan's Heroes'', and ''The Beverly Hillbillies''.
* This logo also appears on earlier 16mm syndication dupes of shows/movies distributed by Viacom, mostly before 1976, which occasionally appear on eBay. Such shows include: ''My Three Sons'', ''Hogan's Heroes'', and ''The Beverly Hillbillies''.
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'''Variants:'''
'''Variants:'''
* 2 versions of this logo have been used throughout its life.
* Two versions of this logo have been used throughout its life.
** The original version of this logo was filmed, and was used from 1976 until 1985.
** The original version of this logo was filmed, and was used from 1976 until 1985.
** Videotaped variants have the words "{{font|Times New Roman|'''A'''}}" and "{{font|Times New Roman|'''Viacom'''}}" spaced farther apart, and the animation is much smoother. This was used from 1978 to 1986.
** Videotaped variants have the words "{{font|Times New Roman|'''A'''}}" and "{{font|Times New Roman|'''Viacom'''}}" spaced farther apart, and the animation is much smoother. This was used from 1978 to 1986.
* '''Filmed Variants:'''
* '''Filmed Variants:'''
** A black & white version of the filmed "'''V'''" was used in the earlier years.
** A black and white version of the filmed "'''V'''" was used in the earlier years.
** An early color variant of the filmed version exists, where the "'''V'''" is black, with a {{color|deepskyblue|light blue}} background. The more common version premiered by 1977.
** An early color variant of the filmed version exists, where the "'''V'''" is black, with a {{color|deepskyblue|light blue}} background. The more common version premiered by 1977.
** Some filmed variants feature the "'''V'''" actually stopping right before it cuts to black. This was largely common in its earlier years (especially in black & white variants).
** Some filmed variants feature the "'''V'''" actually stopping right before it cuts to black. This was largely common in its earlier years (especially in black & white variants).
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'''Music/Sounds:''' Here are the main music variants used on this logo:
'''Music/Sounds:''' Here are the main music variants used on this logo:
* Usually, the music used was a 5-note synthesized fanfare (composed on an ARP Odyssey synth), complete with a timpani drum roll playing throughout with a final, rather loud pound at the end. Even after the logo faded (or cut) to black, the timpani's echo could still be heard. It is different for both the filmed and videotaped variants, with the audio quality being clearer for the latter.
* Usually, the music used was a five-note synthesized fanfare (composed on an ARP Odyssey synth), complete with a timpani drum roll playing throughout with a final, rather loud pound at the end. Even after the logo faded (or cut) to black, the timpani's echo could still be heard. It is different for both the filmed and videotaped variants, with the audio quality being clearer for the latter.
* The very first version of this logo featured the "Pinball" music from the first logo and was used eventually until late 1978 (and was also often used when replacing the original "Pinball" logo, possibly a bad plastering error). This variant is known as the "V of Pinball".
* The very first version of this logo featured the "Pinball" music from the first logo and was used eventually until late 1978 (and was also often used when replacing the original "Pinball" logo, possibly a bad plastering error). This variant is known as the "V of Pinball".
* The very first version of the normal 1976 music had a slightly faster tempo/low-pitched version of the usual music, used on the same logo with the very dark blue/black "V" logo, and it was also used in tandem with the standard filmed variant in the mid- and late 1970s.
* The very first version of the normal 1976 music had a slightly faster tempo/low-pitched version of the usual music, used on the same logo with the very dark blue/black "V" logo, and it was also used in tandem with the standard filmed variant in the mid- and late 1970s.
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** 16mm prints of ''Fun in Acapulco'' also have this variation.
** 16mm prints of ''Fun in Acapulco'' also have this variation.


'''Legacy:''' This logo gained the reputation as one of the scariest logos of all time, earning the nickname "V of Doom". Nonetheless, it has been known to be a memorable one for those who grew up with this logo, and has been a fan favorite in the community.
'''Legacy:''' This logo gained a reputation as one of the scariest logos of all time due to its animation and music, earning the nickname "V of Doom". Nonetheless, it has been known to be a memorable one for those who grew up with this logo, and has been a fan favorite in the community.


===3rd Logo (1978-1985)===
===3rd Logo (1978-1985)===
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* A still version exists.
* A still version exists.


'''Technique:''' Usually in camera-controlled/cel animation, but for the still logo, obviously none.
'''Technique:''' Usually camera-controlled/cel animation, but for the still logo, obviously none.


'''Music/Sounds:''' Only the closing theme of the show or TV movie, or none.
'''Music/Sounds:''' Only the closing theme of the show or TV movie, or none.
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'''Variant:''' An extended version of the closing variant exists on the sales tape for ''The Lost Honeymooners'', where the logo shines multiple times after completing.  
'''Variant:''' An extended version of the closing variant exists on the sales tape for ''The Lost Honeymooners'', where the logo shines multiple times after completing.  


'''Technique:''' Early computer graphics.
'''Technique:''' CGI.


'''Music/Sounds:''' The closing theme of the show. Promotional reels featured a voice over saying "...Because Viacom (pronounced as "Vee-a-Com") presents, for the very first time in syndication...".
'''Music/Sounds:''' The closing theme of the show. Promotional reels featured a voice over saying "...Because Viacom (pronounced as "Vee-a-Com") presents, for the very first time in syndication...".
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