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 (1980-1983)

Visuals: 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" in Broadway, flies down to fill the centre. The word "CINEMAS", in the same font 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".
• Another version exists where the double-S is larger and centered and the text only says SHOWCASE. Then, a line flies in close to the screen which then flips up to reveal SNEAK PREVIEW and the double-S and SHOWCASE text fade out.

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

Audio: A majestic french horn fanfare.

2nd Opening (1983-1986)

• 

Visuals: 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 and in the same font as before) letter by letter. 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 text then flashes one by one as the fireworks disappear as the logo briefly holds before fading out.

Technique: Cel animation by Pike Productions in Boston.

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

3rd (known) Opening (2008-2010s)

Visuals: Against a black background, the green words "and now our feature presentation" 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 spaced-out text"S H O W C A S E" in Clarendon, 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.

Audio: A light rock fanfare, ending with a soft percussion fanfare.

4th Opening (2011-)

Visuals: On a blue background the text: and now our
feature presentation zooms and fades in. After a while a blast happens, causing the text to break apart. The Showcase logo then zooms and fades in the same manner. A few seconds later, another burst happens causing the logo to break in the same manner.

Variant: At Showcase Cinema de Lux locations, said logo replaces the regular logo and takes place on a purple background instead.

Technique: 2D graphics.

Audio: A synth theme.

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

Visuals: 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.

Audio: Unknown

6th Opening (Late 2010s-)

Visuals: Unknown

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Unknown

7th Opening (Summer 2021)

Visuals: Unknown

Technique: Computer graphics.

Audio: Unknown

Exit Policy (2010's-present)

Visuals:

• 2010's-present: The trailer begins with a view of a Showcase Cinema auditorium as the camera zooms in towards the exit. A green "EXIT" symbol zooms out to highlight the exit sign at the top. Then the camera pans across the theater towards the rear exit and text saying "Exits located at the front and rear of this auditorium" wipes in from the right. When it reaches that point, the text wipes away and the camera stops panning and zooms in towards the exit door and another green "EXIT" symbol zooms out to emphasize the exit sign at the top of the exit door.
• 2022-present: A picture of a modern Showcase Cinema de Lux appears with the Showcase Cinema de Lux logo on the screen. It then cuts to a side view of the auditorium, emphasizing the green exit signs at the side. It the cuts to a different smaller auditorium and then to that auditoriums side view to show the exit signs. It then cuts to a view of the emergency exit door, highlighting a sign reading: EMERGENCY
  EXIT ONLY
  THIS DOOR IS
  ALARMED before cutting back to the previous shot.

Technique: A series of still images.

Audio: Just an announcer saying one of these spiels:

• 2010's-present: "Ladies and gentlemen, in the unlikely event of an emergency, there are exits located at the front and rear of this auditorium. Please note that the exit areas located at the front of this auditorium to left or right of the screen are alarmed and should only be used in the event of an emergency. Thank you." There are 2 variants with a male announcer and female announcer.
• 2022-present: "Attention all cinemagoers, in the unlikely event of an emergency, there are exits located in the front and rear of this auditorium. Please note, the exits located at the front of the auditorium to the left or right of the screen are alarmed and should only be used in the event of an emergency. Thank you."