Technicolor

Background

Technicolor is a famous series of color motion picture processes that has been around since 1916. Technicolor has been known for the color of classic movies and shorts from studios like MGM and Disney.

In October 1988, the company behind the technology was acquired by British media company Carlton Communications for $780 million. In December 2000, Carlton sold the company to French conglomerate Thomson for $2.1 billion, who renamed themselves to Technicolor SA in 2010, and later as Vantiva SA in 2022.

1st Logo (June 30, 1998-2006)

Logo: On a black background, 3D rainbow "petals" (gold, orange, red, purple, blue, and green), which resemble a film reel's holes, slowly spin and zoom in toward us. When the "petals" fill the entire screen, they turn 2D on a white background and zoom out, then lean to the left with a shadow that resembles a rainbow film reel. "TECHNICOLOR®" and "COLOR MATTERS" fade in underneath the petals.

Variant: On some releases, we first see a white background with the text "Manufactured by" and then cut to the 2D film reel zooming out.

Technique: The film reel zooming in and out and leaning to the left, the text fading in.

Music/Sounds: First, a choir harmonizes throughout, then we start hearing a slowly ascending clicking sound (the famous Korg M1 preset "Universe", perhaps representing the spinning of the film reel), which soon begin to descend in tone. When the film reel zooms out, a gentle 8-note piano tune plays.

Music/Sounds Variants:

The "Manufactured by" variant has a short version that begins when the reel sound descends.
The Technicolor Creative Services notice is silent.

Availability: The long version can be seen on the library edition VHS of Amistad; that release is extremely difficult to find, and it's unknown if it appeared on other releases. The short "Manufactured by" version appears at the end of the Star Wars - Episode I - The Phantom Menace VHS (standard and widescreen).

2nd Logo (2006-2010)

Logo: We start with colorful thunderclouds and a rainbow circle. Blue tint occurs to reveal we're in the blue portion of the Technicolor film reel, which starts spinning around from left to right. A rainbow flash occurs once it's in place and "TECHNICOLOR" in the same font as the previous logo appears with a shine from the left. A light ray creates the film reel's sides and shadow, "by THOMSON" (generic and corporate font respectively) appears under "TECHNICOLOR" and the logo shines from the right.

Technique: Everything. Quite colorful.

Music/Sounds: A mellow fanfare starting with a droning synth, accompanied by thunderstorms, a choir, a spinning sound and a shimmer at the end.

Availability: TBA.

3rd Logo (2010-2015)

Logo: We see clouds, and as we zoom in, colored rectangles slide from the back, then some lines come in as the rectangles zoom out. As that happens, the logo suddenly twists in as the text "technicolor" zooms in, followed by "3D".

Technique: Amazing CGI by Tigar Hare Studios.

Music/Sounds: A calming synth fanfare that rises and ends with a long note.

Availability: Rare. Seen on Technicolor 3D releases.

4th Logo (December 1, 2015-)

Logo: On a black background, we see a horizontal role of cans (with the oval-shaped stickers that reads "technicolor" on them) that tip over and spill their paint of multiple colors. "technicolor" appears over the colors. The whole thing zooms out throughout.

Technique: The paint cans spilling paint, the fading text and the zoom-out.

Music/Sounds: The end theme of the show, or a majestic theme tune.

Availability: Current. First seen on The Deep (2015 animated Australian/Canadian TV show).