This document analyzes the codes and conventions of 10 major film studio logos: Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks, Universal Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Summit Entertainment, and Miramax Films. It discusses symbolic elements in each logo such as colors, imagery, and composition and what they imply about the institution's power, prestige, and target audiences. Common symbols analyzed include shields, statues, mountains, stars, and animals.

1. I will be analysing the codes and conventions on some film
institutions.
The film institutions I will be analysing:
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Warner Bros. Entertainment
20th Century Fox
Paramount Pictures
Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Columbia Pictures
DreamWorks
Universal Studios
Pixar Animation Studios
Summit Entertainment
Miramax Films

2. Warner Bros. Entertainment
The gold on the logo implies that the
institution is powerful and wealthy.
This goes well with the design of the
logo as the shield shows that they
are dominant within the industry.
The bright blue sky in the
background connotes that they are
above everyone and they have high
standards.

3. th
20
Century Fox
The 20th Century Fox is placed on a statue
which shows that the company is
powerful and it implies that the company
is legendary as statues are usually
associated with people that have earned
their legendary status through
achievement and hard work.
Furthermore, the low angle shot gives the
effect that the statue is bigger in size
which makes it look more important.
The dark sky in the background makes the
institution seem elegant and classy. This is
because the contrast of colour are easy on
the eye for the audience to look at.
Also, the lighting implies that they have a
celebrity and important status as they are
usually associated with events like movie
premiers.

4. Paramount Pictures
The mountain suggests that they are at
the top of the industry and it implies that
they are fulfilling their potential as they
are producing to the highest quality.
The stars represent a sense of
achievement as stars are usually
associated with positive aspects and
achievement.
The blue, white and purple colours signify
happiness, dreams and heaven which can
give the target audience an insight into
the films the institution could produce.

5. Metro Goldwyn Mayer
The lion signifies power as the lion is
known as the king of the jungle. Also, the
lion represents danger which can give the
target audience an insight into the films
they could produce.
The gold colour shows that they are
wealthy and powerful as this implies that
they are a successful institution.
Furthermore, there is golden film strips at
the bottom of the logo and this connotes
that the company is prestigious and shows
that the company has been established a
long time ago as film strips are associated
with old cameras.

6. Columbia Pictures
The statue of liberty implies that Columbia Pictures are
popular and situated in America. This is because the
statue of liberty is a historical landmark in the country.
Also, the statue is holding a bright light that is shining on
the name of the institution which gets the audience
attention to the name which is very memorable and
iconographic. It shows the importance and that they are
at the top looking down at the rest of the competition.
The clouds in the background also signify that they are at
the top and it shows they are god like as they are near the
heavens.

7. DreamWorks
The logo has a lot of depth to it which makes it
cosy and comfortable to look at. The clouds
signify dreams and sleep as the colours are
very dark. It also matches the name of the
institution.
Furthermore, this can show the audience what
type of genre they specialise in and what type
of films they could make.
The moon connotes that they are up above the
rest and there is a little boy sitting on the edge
of the moon which implies that institution is
targeted at a young audience. The little boy
has a fishing rod which is aiming down
through the clouds which shows that the films
will be made out of the target audiences
dreams and imagination.

8. Universal Studios
The black background with stars is usually
associated with space which implies that
they are out of the world. The long shot
of the globe also suggest that they are
out of this world. This shows that they
are very powerful and are well known all
around the world.
The gold out line to their name makes
them look wealthy and powerful as the
colour gold signifies wealth.

9. Pixar Animation Studios
The ‘I’ in Pixar has been replaced by a lamp this
shows that the company is very imaginative
and creative. This implies that they are makers
of children's films as this attracts the younger
audience as it is child like.
The simple and minimalistic background
signifies that they are trying to keep the
attention on the lamp as it is a key aspects of
the institution.
It says ‘Animation studios’ which implies that
the lamp could be animated as this is shown
before the opening of films which explains
why they want to keep the attention on the
lamp as it is iconographic to the audience.

10. Summit Entertainment
The mountain implies that they are
at the top and the films they
produce are of the highest
standard. The black background
keeps the viewers attention on the
mountain top which makes it seem
like they want everyone to
remember that they are at the top.

11. Miramax Films
The bold font of Miramax grabs the viewers
attention and implies that they are a bold and
confident institution. The contrast of size and
thickness between the words ‘Miramax’ and
‘Films’ shows that they want to keep the
attention of the viewers to the main part of
the institutions name.