Logo Research Homework:
DreamWorks:
DreamWorks was founded in 1994 by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen. The logo was originally supposed to be a man on the moon with a fishing rod, created with the help of CGI. However, Visual Effects Supervisor Dennis Muren thought that a hand-painted logo might look better, and commissioned Robert Hunt to do so. In addition to the requested logo, Hunt provided an alternative version of a young boy on a crescent moon with a fishing rod, modelled after his son. In the end, Spielberg liked this version better, and it became the official DreamWorks logo. The final motion version was then created in conjunction with ILM, and was accompanied by a score written by John Williams.
Over the years, the DreamWorks logo underwent several changes, adopting the image of the boy on the moon in the mid 2000s, which is still present in more recent iterations.
Paramount:
Paramount Pictures was founded in 1912 by Adolph Zukor and brothers Charles and Daniel Froham. The "Majestic Mountain" logo was doodled by WW Hodkinson during a meeting with Zukor, based off of the Ben Lomond Mountain in Utah. However, the mountain in the logo is actually based off of the peak of a Peruvian mountain.
Paramount Pictures was founded in 1912 by Adolph Zukor and brothers Charles and Daniel Froham. The "Majestic Mountain" logo was doodled by WW Hodkinson during a meeting with Zukor, based off of the Ben Lomond Mountain in Utah. However, the mountain in the logo is actually based off of the peak of a Peruvian mountain.
It is interesting to note that the logo originally contained 24 stars, representing the 24 famous actors which were signed to the company, including names such as Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper. However, it is interesting to note that the modern day logo only contains 22.
1914-1952:
The original black and white logo
1952 - 1954:
The chief matte painter Jon Domela painted this matte version of the logo.
1954 - 1967:
Only two years after the introduction of the previous logo, it was changed to accommodate the widescreen. This version of the logo contains a lot more detail than the previous iterations.
1968 - 1975:
This version of the logo is a lot lighter, and now contains the Gulf-Western Company byline. In addition to this, the main title reads 'Paramount', dropping the word 'Pictures'.
1975 - 1986:
There is a shift in the style of the logo, moving away from the realistic looking mountain to the blue logo which is seen above.
The logo returns to the well-established mountain peak, and is now CGI generated, with the stars flying towards it.
2002 - 2011:
This time the logo starts in the clouds, and then moves down to the mountain peak, with the stars flying towards it once more.
Universal:
In 1909, Carl Laemmle founded the Independent Moving Pictures Company, and then, in 1912, he signed with two other studios, which resulted in the formation of Universal Motion Picture Manufacturing Company in 1914. Throughout the years, the logo went through various changes, but always featured a globe.
In 1909, Carl Laemmle founded the Independent Moving Pictures Company, and then, in 1912, he signed with two other studios, which resulted in the formation of Universal Motion Picture Manufacturing Company in 1914. Throughout the years, the logo went through various changes, but always featured a globe.
1914 - 1919:
1920 - 1922:
A different approach is taken, making the logo appear almost like an advert. In this version, the ring around the globe is now tilted, and various fonts are used.
1923 - 1926:
This is the first version in which the globe looks like Earth. This moving logo depicts a plane flying around the planet, leaving a smoke ring around it, which comes to read as 'Universal Pictures'.
1927 - 1936:
The globe is more prominent in this slightly updated version of the logo, and now reads 'A Universal Picture'.
1936 - 1946:
This logo has a 3D element to it, making the globe and text stand out even more. The globe is surrounded by stars, and stars to look more like the current version of the logo.
1946 - 1963:
1963 - 1990:
This is the first version of the logo to be in colour, and is very blue centred. The text is in bold, gold letters, making it stand out against its background.
1990 - 1997:
1997 - 2012:
This is the first CGI version of the logo, where light emerges from the globe and slowly reveals the continents. The iconic white and gold lettering makes it first appearance.
2012 - Present:
This is the most recent iteration of the logo, created to celebrate the studio's 100th anniversary.
MGM:
MGM was founded when Marcus Leowe purchased Metro Pictures Corporation, Goldwyn Pictures, and Louis B. Mayer Pictures, expanding his existing business. The iconic lion which features in the logo is called Leo, and has been played by various lions over the years.
1916 - 1924:
The original logo, designed by Howard Dietz in 1916, featuring Slats the lion. It is very similar to the current logo.
1924 - 1928:
In this black and white iteration of the logo, the company steered away from using an actual lion, instead opting for this statuesque look.
There was more than one lion featured in this time period. This one is very similar to the first version, containing the real lion. However, this logo is in black and white, and now contains the three names that make up the initials of MGM, the abbreviation for the company.
1928 - 1956:
1927 - 1932:
Around the same time, MGM had a different version of their logo, specifically for colour pictures. The lion which featured in this version was called Telly.
1932 - 1934:
This was yet another version which was used in colour films, featuring Coffee the lion. This time, it was actually in colour, as previously it was in black and white.
1934 - 1956:
The logo is rather similar to the previous ones, however, it now has the gold details which are associated with MGM. This one features Tanner the lion.
1956 - 1958:
In this version, MGM attempted something new, however, it wasn't very popular and only featured in two films.
1957 - Present:
The current logo. Minor changes were made over the years, but the lion remained the same.
United Artists:
United Artists was founded in 1919 by Charlie Chaplain, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith, aspiring to give more freedom and control to the creative types. The studio produced several hits, but was eventually sold to MGM a few years after the Heaven's Gate flop. Over the years, the company has had an assortment of logos, playing around with different ideas.
1919 - 1967:
The original black and white logo, with the studio name in a hexagonal shape. The colours sometimes varied, depending on the occasion.
1967 - 1986:
This version of the logo is very colourful, and very different from the original.
1969 - 1975:
The logo has reverted back to less bright colours, and there is now the appearance of a 'T' formed from blue lines.
1975 - 1976:
This logo is vastly different from the previous one, but contains similar colours. Only this time, the letters are a gold colour, making them stand out on the screen.
1975 - 1982:
A different variation on a previous logo.
1982 - 1987:
In this iteration of the logo, there a shift to a simpler design, with a blue line that turns into the letters UA, and text which appears at the bottom reading 'United Artists'.
1987 - 1994:
A similar logo to the previous one, but with the addition of certain details.
1994 - 2000:
This logo is quite different, with the reappearance of the gold text, against a marble background.
2000 - 2001:
A return the initials, but this time with the text 'An MGM Company', to show that is was purchased by them.
2001 - Present:
The same logo as before, however, it has incorporated details from another design.