Draft:Showcase Cinemas

Background

Showcase Cinemas is the primary brand used by cinema chain National Amusements for its operations in the US, Argentina and the UK.

Note:

• Before 2008, Showcase Cinemas as well as Multiplex Cinemas, Cinema De Lux and KinoStar used the standard NA openings.

1st Opening (1980-1980s)

Opening: On a dark blue space background, a red "S" flies toward the centre of the screen and position itself right-side up. A yellow "S" follows the red letter and positions itself sideways atop the red one. The completed shape the flies to the top of the screen as the word "Showcase" flies down to fill the centre. The word "Cinemas" then flies down and positions itself below "Showcase". The text then rotates from front to back-accompanied by a blue flash of light-to reveal the text "Feature Presentation". The completed sequence holds for a few seconds before cutting out.

Variants: Three shorter versions start when the double-S symbol has been formed. The rotating Showcase Cinemas text reveals either "Coming Attractions", "Coming Soon", or "Now Showing".

Technique: CGI, commissioned by Pike Productions and animated by Mathematical Applications Group, Inc.

Music/Sounds: A majestic french horn fanfare.

Availability: Extinct in theatres.

2nd Opening (1980s)

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Opening: Against a black background, a series of blue lights draw a red "R" which promptly explodes as a yellow "R" slides out to take its place. Following the "R" are a pair of trailing outlines reading "Redstone". When the words meet up with the "R", they flash against the letter before turning red and filling in. We then see a series of fireworks fly underneath the "R" to spell out "Showcase Cinemas" (in white). A blue flash appears behind the logo, and then multicoloured fireworks appear and explode against the background. While this happens, a light wipes in from the left and changes the bottom text to "Feature Presentation". The word "Redstone" flashes once, followed by the gold "R", then "Redstone" again followed by the "Feature Presentation" text. The fireworks disappear as the logo briefly holds before fading out.

Technique: Cel animation by Pike Productions in Boston.

Music/Sounds: A loud bombastic rock and roll fanfare composed by Derek Austin titled "Heavy Vinyl" from the JW music library.

Availability: Extinct in theatres.

3rd Opening (2008-2010s)

Opening: Against a black background, the words "and now our feature presentation" (in green) fade in, alongside a series of line shapes. A series of grey sparks fly onto the screen, and hold themselves in a streaking motion until the word "Showcase" floats toward the left of the screen above a green bar (which had been forming behind the lines). The lines disappear and are replaced by a smaller set of green lines which similarly streak across the bar. This continues until the logo fades out.

Variant: A variant with the words "Coming Attractions" exists.

Technique: 2D animation.

Music/Sounds: A light rock fanfare, ending with a soft percussion fanfare.

Availability: Extinct in theatres.

4th Opening (2011-)

Opening: Unknown

Technique: Unknown

Music/Sounds: Unknown

Availability: the northeast United States; currently in use at Showcase Cinemas.

5th Opening (Coca-Cola 3D) (2017-)

Opening: On a white background is "Welcome to Showcase Cinemas". Several pieces of popcorn cover the screen. The popcorn falls down and ice cubes cover the screen. The screen is then drenched in Coca-Cola. A Coca-Cola branded straw drinks it all away, revealing a Showcase Cinema popcorn bag and two Coca-Cola cups. "Enjoy The Show" and Showcase Cinemas and Coca-Cola logos below it appear.

Variant: An alternate Showcase Cinema de Lux-branded version was produced.

Technique: CGI by Mirada. This is slightly modified from a pre-show video originally produced for Carmike Cinemas in 2012.

Music/Sounds: Unknown

Availability: See the 14th opening.

6th Opening (Late 2010s-)

Opening: Unknown

Technique: CGI.

Music/Sounds: Unknown

Availability: See the 14th opening.

7th Opening (Summer 2021)

Opening: Unknown

Technique: Computer graphics.

Music/Sounds: Unknown

Availability: Extinct.