2. Logos and institutions
In the PowerPoint I will research production company logos and different institutions and show
the progression of how this research will eventually lead to the creation of my logo and
production company.
In order to create a successful production company and logo, I hope for my logo to be:
-Memorable
-Simple but effective
-Timeless
-Appropriate
3. Universal
Universal is a conglomerate company which has dominated the film production company for decades. The huge
amounts of money they have mean that they can spend more than anyone else on producing a film, this usually
means that the film will be better.
Universal studios have different departments and can be split in to different sub divisions, such as Universal
pictures which involves the production of the films. The biggest franchise from Universal pictures is the Fast and
Furious franchise which has produced £1,001,829,118.
The company logo which involves the world is suitable and links perfectly with the company name. The world
suggests that the company makes texts for a universal audience all over the world, the vastness of the earth is a
powerful image and is representative of universal’s great success. The logo is very simple however very
recognisable to any one of any age, gender, ethnicity. From research it is clear that universal have adapted their
logo several times, however stuck to the basic concept. The world suggests that the audience of the company is a
worldwide audience.
Over the years, Universal have changed their logo several times in order to modernise it, however from the image
above it is clear that all logos are easily identifiable that they belong to Universal.
4. 20th century fox
20th Century Fox is also another American conglomerate and does not just focus on films, they also produce TV
shows such as 24 and The Simpsons. Two of 20th century fox’s biggest franchises are Ice Age and Die Hard. The Ice
age franchise has a total gross of $729,613,574.
The 20th Century Fox logo is also incredibly simple but suitable for use by a film production company, it is clear
that film production is the area that the company specialises in just from looking at the logo. The large flashlights
illuminate the company name and can easily be related to Hollywood (bright lights/film). The bold 3D structure
for the company name can not be missed and is right in your face, thus making the logo easily recognisable. The
bright lights and large title connotes that the company are at the top of their game and dominate their industry,
this gives them a positive impression. Everyone would have watched at least one film produced by 20th Century
Fox, and it would have most likely been impressive, therefore placing the logo on another production and
notifying the audience 20th century fox had something to do with the film will persuade and encourage people to
watch the film as they have trust in them due to previous experience, that they will impress the audience. I plan
to also make my logo simple and easily identifiable, in hope that people will be more encouraged to watch my
films in the future.
5. Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures is one of the biggest film company’s in the industry- It is one of the ‘Big six’.
Columbia Pictures was founded on January 10th, 1924 in California.
The fact the logo contains the statue of liberty up in the clouds suggests that Columbia pictures are
on the top of their game and the leaders. The image almost suggests that they are Gods, just as God
would watch over from up above. The easily identifiable statue of liberty figure carries a strong
American message, also indicating that America are the leaders when it comes to film production.
The bright light, making ‘Columbia’ uneasy to see has connotations of intensity and strength. The light
also carries biblical imagery, as if it is the Northern star, of which everyone follows for guidance.
The heavy use of gold suggests wealth, indicating to the audience that the productions will be the
best of the best. Kings and Queens wear gold, as well as being leaders, highlighting that Columbia
pictures are the leaders in film.
Columbia Pictures are most well known for films, The amazing Spiderman, Smurfs, 21 Jump Street.
6. DreamWorks
The DreamWorks logo has childish connotations and is suitable for the animated kids films that
it typically produces. The young boy sitting on the moon fishing is a fictional image and in
keeping with their productions, surreal. The logo is different and more appeals to a younger
audience within the age range of 4-12 years old. The shadow of the boy on the moon and the
lack of detail indicates that DreamWorks productions are aimed at a universal audience and not
just one group of people. DreamWorks are most well know for creating, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda
and Madagascar. The Shrek franchise is the biggest of DreamWorks and has a total gross of
$3,540,580,419 worldwide. Again, a pattern of simple and appropriate logos follows throughout.
From this it is clear that I need to follow this too when it comes to creating my logo and
production company, in order for it to be successful.
7. Walt Disney Pictures
Walt Disney pictures is an American film studios which was founded in 1928. Walt Disney
pictures are most well known for producing Pirates of the Caribbean. Pixar animations and
Disneytoon studios are their main distributors. Walt Disney pictures also bought Lucas film
which is famous for producing Star wars. The first Disney star wars was released in December
2015 and has already topped Titanic and Avatar in the box office.
The logo is extremely appropriate for the genre of film Disney typically produces and carries a
childish nature. The castle of which features connotes fantasy and fiction, the castle is also and
already well-known figure even without knowing the production company. The font and colour
scheme used makes everything seem fluid, thus appealing to more of a younger audience.
8. ‘Heyday films’- British example
I felt that it was also important to undertake some research into some smaller British production
companies as they would be more relevant and closely related to my production, being a small British
production company.
Heyday films was founded in 1997 by David Heyman. It’s head office is central London. It’s first feature film
production was ‘Ravenous’ in 1999. Being a small, independent production company, starting off was
difficult and all funding would come from David Heyman’s pocket; this made it impossible to compete with
big Hollywood Conglomerates, which had mega budgets. However with the improvement and increasing
accessibility of technology and software, Heyday films found it was easier to produce good quality
productions in order to gain attention and funding.
Thanks to the Harry Potter franchise, of which David’s connections in the USA gained him, he was able to
produce Harry Potter and earn Heyday films a lot of money. This money has then been invested in films
such as I Am Legend, which grossed $583.8 million.
This is an example of a successful British film production company and is evidence that due to improving
technology and ease of access, the American Conglomerates are not the leaders of the film industry any
more.
9. Warp films- British example
Just like many small independent British production companies, Warp films looks at producing
films which appeal to a niche audience; this is an example of a production company who
understand that they may be unable to compete fully with the big American conglomerates and
therefore look at concentrating on a specific type of audience.
They have produced some of the most distinctive British films within the last ten years, for
example, ‘This is England’. It is typical of Warp films to produce lots of films which feature the
British culture heavily. Warp films are very aware of their British culture and do not try to avoid
this, instead they embrace this. I will similarly look to do this, as I feel texts which look to be
successful by emulating American production companies can look tacky and unprofessional.
Warp films work on a small budget and was only set up in 2002, therefore still have a lot to
prove. Their success in such a short space of time, gives me great encouragement when
producing my texts.
10. From researching logos and institutions, I have realised that the majority of logos feature the sky
and clouds. Size is also an important factor with either large, bold fonts and vast landscapes
featuring; I feel that implies the size of the company and their dominance within the film
industry.
I hope to produce a logo following similar patterns of the ones I have studied as they have
proven to be most successful.
