Derann

Background

Derann (a.k.a. Derann Film Services, Derann Audio Visual, or Derann Video) was a small electronics store formed back in 1964 by Derek and Anne Simmonds whose first names made up the company name "Derann". The company sold 8mm (Super 8) cutout films licensed from major movie companies. Starting in the late 1970s to the early 1980s, they began distributing films on videocassette carrying the Derann Audio Visual logo. Derann was known for being one of the major distributors of films not brought before the BBFC for classification, with several VHS titles such as Blood Lust, Brutes and Savages, and Cannibal labelled "video nasties," a colloquial term in the UK for violent films not approved by the BBFC. Derek Simmonds died in 2002, after which his son Adrian Simmonds took over the company. In September 2011, the company closed down after their stock film sales faded away along with ongoing financial issues.

Derann Film Services

Logo (1970s-1990s)

Visuals: On a smoky green background, there is a red filmstrip with DFS in red. Then, we get closer to the filmstrip before "DERANN" in white wipes itself on.

Technique: Camera-controlled and cel animation.

Audio: A loud, powerful bombastic fanfare.

Availability: This can be seen on early Super 8mm films and VHS tapes of titles like She-Devils of the SS and Black Velvet.

Derann Video/Derann Audio Visual

Logo (April 1980-1986)

Visuals: On a space background, the letter, "A" slides from the top left corner while "V" slides from the bottom right corner and place themselves in the centre. The word "DERANN" flashes in, slicing part of the letters. The logo zooms in. The letters then fade out, as it transitions to the blue outlined text "DERANN VIDEO". The space background fades to black. Then the words zoom in with trails.

Variant: Before the logo starts, a warning screen is seen in the same space background. After the warning screen fades out, the normal logo begins.

Technique: Cel animation.

Audio: Same as the Cinerama Releasing logo, except it's high-pitched, most likely due to PAL speedup.

Availability: Can be seen on many PAL VHS pre-cert prints of films (mostly horror). Otherwise, you can find some of these on eBay. This appeared on such titles as Ants! (1977), Stacey, Blood Beast from Outer Space, and The Redeemer: Son of Satan!.

External Links

Derann article on Wikipedia