Mirage Enterprises

Background

Mirage Enterprises was the production company of producer/director Sydney Pollack, founded in 1985. In 2001, director Anthony Minghella became a partner in the company. With both Pollack and Minghella's deaths in 2008, the company was rendered dormant.

1st Logo (August 1-September 26, 1993)

Logo: On a black background, we see a grey lowercase "m" with a filmstrip pattern inside of it. Underneath, the name "MIRAGE ENTERPRISES" is seen.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Rare. It only appeared on the first season of Fallen Angels.

2nd Logo (October 8, 1995-December 12, 2008)

Logo: We see a live-action shot of clouds moving. After a few seconds it begins to fold, like a piece of paper, into a paper plane, against either a white or a gradient blue background. The word "MIRAGE" then slides in from below. Reflections of the letters can be seen as the word slides into place.

Variants:

On The Reader, the logo is black and white.
At the end of Random Hearts, the print logo is used.
On the second season of Fallen Angels, a prototype variant is used. The sky image is still and much brighter, as well as the airplane design, and the folding animation is done through a morph effect. The "MIRAGE" text fades in below, along with the reflections.

Technique: CGI with live-action footage of the clouds.

Music/Sounds: None or a soft organ theme.

Availability: Uncommon. Seen on Sliding Doors, Up at the Villa, The Reader, Cold Mountain, and The Quiet American, among others.