Viacom Productions: Difference between revisions

'''Visuals:''' On a purple background, the letter "'''{{small|V}}'''" slides in from the right of the screen, settling in the left-hand side. Then the text "'''i{{small|A}}'''" slides in, settling beside the "'''{{Small|V}}'''". When this happens, the color of the background changes to green. Then, the text "'''{{small|COM}}'''" slides in, settling beside "'''{{Small|VIA}}'''" and changing the background to {{color|darkred|red}}. This forms the word "'''{{small|V}}i{{small|ACOM}}'''". Finally, the word zooms out as the words "'''{{small|A}}'''" and "'''p{{small|RESENTAT}}i{{small|ON}}'''" fade in to the left and right of it, respectively, revealing the text in its entirety as the background changes to blue.

'''Visuals:''' On a sky blue (or lavender) background, the text "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''A Viacom Presentation'''}}" 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 the screen. Then, a stylized navy blue "{{color|navy|'''V'''}}" (a downward trapezoid with a curved line in the near center) appears from the center. At first it is small, but the "'''V'''" starts to move gradually closer and closer towards the screen, almost to the point where it takes up nearly the entire frame. The logo then suddenly cuts to black or fades to black (depending on the version of the logo).

** The logo has seen several different <u>color variants</u> appear. Color variants include monochrome, {{color|slateblue|purple}} background with {{color|navy|dark blue}} "'''V'''", and faint {{color|mediumpurple|purple}} background with {{color|turquoise|blue}} "'''V'''", among others.

** A videotaped variant featuring a yellow "{{color|gold|'''V'''}}" was used on <u>some syndicated prints of ''The Honeymooners''</u>, appearing in a giant moon over a city skyline where the credits appear. This is a result of a chroma-key mistake. This variation was given the nickname "V of Moon". A corrected version of this was seen on a WPIX airing.

** There is also a variant with a <u>{{color|lawngreen|jungle green}} background</u> and a <u>{{color|green|Charleston green}} "{{color|green|'''V'''}}"</u>.

** There is a rumored <u>purple</u> variant where the background is lavender and the {{color|darkviolet|'''V'''}} is purple.

** A {{color|turquoise|turquoise}} variant with an {{color|navy|ultramarine blue}} "{{color|navy|'''V'''}}" was used in <u>1984</u>. The "{{color|navy|'''V'''}}" stops moving before the screen fades to black.

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

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

** A videotaped variant with a {{color|lime|lime}} background also exists, which was found on <u>an episode of ''The Andy Griffith Show'' on TBS Superstation in 1992</u> and on the <u>Perry Mason S8 episode "The Case of the Wrongful Writ" on a March 13, 1991 TBS Superstation broadcast</u>.

** A high pitched, slightly sped up version of the videotaped variant also exists, which was spotted on the <u>''Cannon'' episode "He Who Digs a Grave (Part 2)" on Me-TV</u>. As of May 2019, this variant is still intact.

* '''Opening:''' On a black background, a "'''V'''" rotates towards the center of the screen in a {{color|red|r}}{{color|orange|a}}{{color|#FFD900|i}}{{color|limegreen|n}}{{color|blue|b}}{{color|magenta|o}}{{color|darkviolet|w}} trail. Then, the {{color|red|r}}{{color|orange|a}}{{color|#FFD900|i}}{{color|limegreen|n}}{{color|blue|b}}{{color|magenta|o}}{{color|darkviolet|w}} trail moves behind the logo, and the "'''V'''" flashes to {{color|deepskyblue|bright cerulean}} and the word "{{Font|Times New Roman|{{color|deepskyblue|'''Viacom'''}}}}" in the same color flashes in with the word "{{Font|Times New Roman|{{color|deepskyblue|presents}}}}" below. As the opening theme starts, the camera slowly zooms up to the left corner of the "{{color|deepskyblue|'''V'''}}" until it engulfs the screen with blue.

* '''Closing:''' At the end of the reel, a "{{color|deepskyblue|'''V'''}}" is seen with the word "{{Font|Times New Roman|{{color|deepskyblue|'''Viacom'''}}}}" in blue and the word "{{Font|Times New Roman|{{color|deepskyblue|from}}}}" above the "{{color|deepskyblue|'''V'''}}", and they all zoom in towards the viewer.

'''Visuals:''' The logo starts in outer space. The words "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''''Special'''''}}" and "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''''Delivery'''''}}" streak through the sun in the background, leaving a {{color|red|r}}{{color|orange|a}}{{color|#FFD900|i}}{{color|limegreen|n}}{{color|blue|b}}{{color|magenta|o}}{{color|darkviolet|w}} trail. Then on a blue/black gradient background, the two words fly towards a stylized gold ring with wings and the familiar "'''V'''" from the 2nd logo on its base. "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''''From'' Viacom'''}}" with "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''Viacom'''}}", bigger and set in its corporate font, also fly towards the ring, settling inside it. The logo then constantly shines, occasionally flashing. At the end, a firework flash effect emerges from the logo.

'''Visuals:''' On a black background is a still image of the Viacom "{{color|deepskyblue|'''V'''}}" logo in blue, and the name "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''Viacom'''}}" in white below.

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

* '''Opening:''' Against a space background with twinkling stars, a metallic steel outline of the Viacom "'''V'''" and "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''Viacom'''}}" 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 and "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''Viacom'''}}" turns solid {{color|grey}}. The logo shines in a similar manner as the "Special Delivery" logo before flying downwards and offscreen.

* '''Closing:''' Against a city skyline with a 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 "{{color|grey|'''V'''}}" forms out of light particles. The word "{{Font|Times New Roman|{{color|grey|'''Viacom'''}}}}" forms in the same manner as in the opening variant. The logo shines once completed.

'''Visuals:''' The logo starts out with a screen that's divided in two, with a black/purple gradient on top and silver on the bottom, with a bright light flare shining between. The 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 "{{color|silver|'''V'''}}" logo as the background changes to a black/blue/purple gradient. The word "{{Font|Times New Roman|{{color|silver|'''Viacom'''}}}}" flies in from the upper-left of the screen and settles underneath the "{{color|silver|'''V'''}}", with it reflecting the text. The finished logo shines.

* <u>VHS releases containing this logo</u> and <u>select TV broadcasts</u> have the "{{color|silver|'''V'''}}" shining three times.

* A variant where the <u>"{{color|silver|'''V'''}}" shines four times</u> also exists, which was 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 an ultra warp speed variant.

* A variant where the "{{color|silver|'''V'''}}" <u>doesn't shine</u> at all also exists, which was only seen on ''We Love Lucy''; the 30-minute re-edit of ''The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour''.

* On <u>Fox's ''Family Double Dare''</u>, the logo fades in after the Nickelodeon logo with the "{{color|silver|'''V'''}}" already in place, then the "{{color|silver|'''V'''}}" shines two times before fading out.

* A variant where both the "{{color|silver|'''V'''}}" and the word "{{Font|Times New Roman|{{color|silver|'''Viacom'''}}}}" appear to be in <u>higher contrast</u> exists, making the logo look shinier than normally.

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

* Another version cuts to when the "{{color|silver|'''V'''}}" starts rotating. This is unofficially known as the <u>"in-progress" variant</u>.

'''Audio:''' A series of pindrop-like synth notes and a high synth drone, later joined by a descending synth chord, and a "glittery" noise for when the "'''{{Color|grey|V}}'''" shines. The entire theme is slightly warped.

* <u>Some episodes of ''Gunsmoke'', ''Matlock'' (seasons 1-4)</u>, and <u>one episode of ''Hogan's Heroes'' (seen in Australia)</u> have the 1990 "Wigga-Wigga" music playing over this. A <u>Russian print of the ''Father Dowling Mysteries'' S1 episode "The What Do You Call a Call Girl Mystery" </u> also features this over the warp-speed variant, which continues into the 2007 [[CBS Television Distribution]] logo.

'''Visuals:''' On a shaded blue background, a {{color|silver|silver}} "{{color|silver|'''V'''}}" flies in from the bottom, and moves towards the left. As it does so, a zig-zag line comes out of it to form the other letters in the word "{{color|silver|'''VIACOM'''}}". The logo is seen shining throughout. The individual letters separate from the zig-zag line, with the "{{color|silver|'''A'''}}" and "{{color|silver|'''M'''}}" still having the form of zig-zags. The completed logo then shines.

* There is a text variation on this logo for Viacom Productions. It has the "{{color|silver|'''VIACOM'''}}" text already formed, but a line slides in from the right and forms "{{color|silver|'''PRODUCTIONS'''}}" in the Futura Extra Bold font, after which the "{{color|silver|'''C'''}}" and the "{{color|silver|'''O'''}}" in "{{color|silver|'''VIACOM'''}}" shine. This shorter variation was seen on network TV productions from <u>1998-2000</u>. There was another variant of this in which the text doesn't shine at all, used on ''<u>Diagnosis: Murder</u>''.

* A black & white version of this exists on some prints of <u>older B&W shows</u> (though most feature the color version).

'''Technique:''' 2D motion-controlled animation. This logo was animated by Atlantic Motion Pictures.

'''Visuals:''' On a smoky blue background, the letters of "{{color|royalblue|'''VIACOM'''}}" in a clear glass font are stacked on top of each other, with the "'''{{color|royalblue|V}}'''" in front and the "'''{{color|royalblue|M}}'''" in back. The letters then shrink and spread out to form the word as normally read. The background is revealed to have the letters of the word rapidly fading and blurring in and out. After "{{color|royalblue|'''VIACOM'''}}" settles in, the text "{{color|royalblue|'''PRODUCTIONS'''}}" in Futura Extra Bold appears from the mist and moves up to settle below the text. The byline "{{color|royalblue|{{Font|Times New Roman|'''''a Paramount company'''''}}}}" (in the [[Paramount Pictures]] logo's font) fades in below that, along with a line above that separates the two.

* Starting in <u>2002</u>, the logo is slightly enhanced. The word "{{color|royalblue|'''VIACOM'''}}" is made bolder and, when the letters are stacked, look brighter. In addition, the background is darker and has more contrast.