Air Programs International

(September 27, 1968-1975?)

Logo: We start out with a white background. Then, a rapidly spinning black vortex comes from the left and stops in the middle, rapidly spinning clockwise as it does so. After a few more seconds, the vortex zooms back and shifts to the right while spinning. As it does so, the letters "a p i" in purple (the letters themselves resemble Futura) began zooming from all sides of the screen until coming together. The camera zooms out and in and out as this happens. The vortex begins to spin next to the "i" until it comes to a complete stop, which makes the "i" overlap one of the tips of the vortex. the words "TELEVISION PRODUCTION" appears on the bottom of the text and vortex, set in Microgramma.

Variants:

In the very ending of Arthur! and the Square Knights of the Round Table closing credits, after King Arthur falls off the stage, the camera zooms-in to the (white) background of the stage, and the logo begins.
Some projects superimposed the print logo with an in-credit notice.
A B&W variant exists.

Technique: Traditional cel animation.

Music/Sounds: A whooshing synth note when the vortex comes, followed by a sped-up/+12 pitch version of a classic Hanna-Barbera descending synth sound, and 3 loud synth dings when the letters come, ending with a timpani drum solo.

Availability: Appeared on The Story of the First Christmas as API Television Productions, and on Heidi (1978 TV series) as A.P.I. Television Productions. The Active Home Video release of Arthur! and the Square Knights of the Round Table (also in original TV airings) might have it. The in-credit notices should be intact on such projects.