York Entertainment

Background

York Entertainment was a home video distributor that was founded in 1990 by Tanya York, which was based in North Hollywood, California. The company specialized in releasing low budget films. In 1997, it partnered with Maverick Entertainment Group to release home video titles, which lasted until 2002. The company was sold to Loose Cannon Films in 2004.

1st Logo (1992-1996)

Visuals: On a black background, a purple/blue spark draws the word "York" in a blue cursive font. Once it's finished, a thin light blue line slides in from the right of the screen and stops below the word. Then the words "HOME·VIDEO" in a purple blue font slide in below the line.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: A laser sound, accompanied by a four note bell synth theme. On the third note, the laser sound stops and a rain-stick synth is heard as the line slides into place. On the fourth note, the rain-stick stops, and a pound note is heard as the words slide in below the line.

Availability: Appears on VHS prints of Return to Frogtown, the uncut version of Trapped (AKA The Killing Jar) and Almost Hollywood, possibly among other titles.

2nd Logo (1996-1999)

Visuals: On a black background, the "York" logotype moves across, it is in a glassy 3D style. We follow the word's curvature as the logo zooms back and the background becomes blue/black gradient. A line is below the right half of "York", and the words "HOME VIDEO" flip into view below the line.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Some warbling and droning synth sounds and a synth chime/choir fanfare.

Availability: Appeared on the VHS releases of Perfect Assassins, Spoiler, Johnny 2.0 and Sleeping Dogs.

3rd Logo (December 22, 1998-2004)

Visuals: On a black background, there is a spark writing the word "York" in gold cursive font in the same way as in previous logos, but more like the first logo. The text leaves stardust, forming "ENTERTAINMENT" in a tall font below. When the word "York" has done writing, a scarlet square with a gold border, containing a naked female silhouette with fairy wings, swinging her wand with stardust swirling from the tip of her wand, zooms in, making the words "York" and "ENTERTAINMENT" zooming out a bit and moving to the top and bottom, respectively. It then fades to a screen displaying the company's URL, as a line is drawn beneath it.

Variants:

On Act of War, the box is black leaving just the border.
Sometimes, the URL portion is not present.
There is also a still variant, used earlier on.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: A harp flourish, followed by a five note theme and a cymbal crash. For the main version, a voice-over says "For the latest entertainment news, check us out at www.yorkentertainment.com." Other times, it's silent.

Availability: Seen on later titles from the company, such as Raw Nerve, Basketweave and Storm Tracker, among many others. It appeared first on Act of War.