The Jim Henson Company: Difference between revisions

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{{PageCredits|description=DisneyInternationalFan, Nicholas Aczel, BenIsRandom, Jeffrey Gray and AlmightyKingPrawn|capture=Eric S., snelfu, DaffyDuckScrewball, SomerHimpson and others|edits=mr3urious, CopernicusLogos23, Muzzarino, SomerHimpson, WileE2005, Unnepad, Blue2000, Michael Kenchington, AlmightyKingPrawn, CLGCreator Returns! and Gilby1385}}
{{PageCredits|description=DisneyInternationalFan, Nicholas Aczel, BenIsRandom, Jeffrey Gray and AlmightyKingPrawn|capture=Eric S., snelfu, DaffyDuckScrewball, SomerHimpson and others|edits=mr3urious, CopernicusLogos23, Muzzarino, SomerHimpson, WileE2005, Unnepad, Blue2000, Michael Kenchington, AlmightyKingPrawn, CLGCreator Returns!, Gilby1385, and MaxEsco03}}


===Background===
===Background===
'''The Jim Henson Company''' was formed on November 20, 1958 as '''Muppets, Inc.''' by '''[[w:Jim Henson|Jim Henson]]''' and his wife Jane, three years after Henson's first show, ''Sam and Friends'', premiered. Until the premiere of ''Sesame Street'' in 1969, the company mainly did work for commercials. In 1976, Muppets, Inc. was renamed '''Henson Associates'''., and it became '''Jim Henson Productions''' in 1987.
After '''Jim Henson''' died on May 16, 1990, [[Jim Henson Productions]] was left under the control of Henson's children, Brian, Lisa, Cheryl, Heather and John, who gave it its current name, '''The Jim Henson Company''', in 1997.


In 1989, the company planned to merge with [[The Walt Disney Company]], but during negotiations, Henson died on May 16, 1990. Therefore, the deal collapsed and the company remained independent and now under control of Henson's children, Brian, Lisa, Cheryl, Heather and John, who gave it its current name in 1997.
In 2000, the company was sold to German company [[Sport1 Medien AG|EM.TV and Merchandising AG]], but by the end of that year, EM.TV's stock collapsed, and the company was sold back to the Henson family in 2003. As of 2023, Brian is the company's chairman, Lisa is CEO, and Cheryl and Heather are Board of Directors members. John Henson was also a BOD member until his death in 2014.

In 2000, the company was sold to German company [[Sport1 Medien AG|EM.TV and Merchandising AG]], but by the end of that year EM.TV's stock collapsed, and the company was sold back to the Henson family in 2003. As of 2023, Brian is the company's chairman, Lisa is CEO, and Cheryl and Heather are Board of Directors members. John Henson was also a BOD member until his death in 2014.


{{ImageTOC
{{ImageTOC
Line 13: Line 11:
|Ee02174be1ddf6ea07d613bc06f311b9.jpg|3rd Logo (April 27, 2005)
|Ee02174be1ddf6ea07d613bc06f311b9.jpg|3rd Logo (April 27, 2005)
|KyieoQC_H83RUZ1DXmfhnQ34293.jpg|4th Logo (September 30, 2005; November 21, 2015; August 30, 2019-)
|KyieoQC_H83RUZ1DXmfhnQ34293.jpg|4th Logo (September 30, 2005; November 21, 2015; August 30, 2019-)
|JimPuppetUp.jpeg|5th Logo (November 20, 2006-201?)
|JimPuppetUp.jpeg|5th Logo (November 20, 2006-2010s)
|2a6adc96bf95718375454e569db8ab8f.png|6th Logo (June 20, 2008-)
|2a6adc96bf95718375454e569db8ab8f.png|6th Logo (June 20, 2008-)
|TheJimHensonCompany2022.jpg|7th Logo (January 20, 2022-)
|TheJimHensonCompany2022.jpg|7th Logo (January 20, 2022-)
}}
}}

===1st Logo (August 18, 2000-March 10, 2003)===
===1st Logo (August 18, 2000-March 10, 2003)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
[[File:Thejimhensoncompany2001logo.jpg|300px|center]]
Thejimhensoncompany2001logo.jpg
The Jim Henson Company (2002) (From - 4x3 prints of the 4th and final season of Farscape).png
</gallery>


'''Logo:''' On a black background, a series of flying computer-like lasers and streaks write the green words:
'''Visuals:''' On a black background, a series of flying computer-like lasers and streaks write the green words, "THE JIM HENSON COMPANY" with the word "THE" in superscript format.


'''Trivia:''' It's possible this logo was made to differentiate ''Farscape'' from the Henson company's more family-friendly works.
<p style="text-align:center;"><span style="color:rgb(0,255,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">THE </span><span style="color:rgb(0,255,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:24px;font-weight:normal;">JIM HENSON</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0,255,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">COMPANY</span></p>

with the word "<span style="color:rgb(0,255,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">THE</span>" in superscript format.


'''Technique:''' 2D computer animation.
'''Technique:''' 2D computer animation.


'''Music/Sounds:''' A phaser sound effect with a whooshing sound, or the end theme of the show or movie.
'''Audio:''' A phaser sound effect with a whooshing sound, or the end theme of the show or movie.


'''Availability:''' Seen on ''Farscape'', starting with the 15th episode of season 2, as well as ''Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story'' and ''The Fearing Mind''.
'''Availability:''' Seen on ''Farscape'', starting with the 15th episode of season 2, as well as ''Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story'' and ''The Fearing Mind''.

'''Legacy:''' It's possible this logo was made to differentiate ''Farscape'' from the Henson company's more family-friendly works.


===2nd Logo (October 17-18, 2004)===
===2nd Logo (October 17-18, 2004)===
[[File:149149a1cb62cffb21d238eb7ebd95a3.jpg|300px|center]]
[[File:149149a1cb62cffb21d238eb7ebd95a3.jpg|300px|center]]
{{MergeSection|5th Logo (April 26, 1991-April 28, 2006)|the 5th Jim Henson Productions logo|Same as the 1991 logo but in a different color}}


'''Logo:''' On a black background, the white Jim Henson Company logo fades in.
'''Visuals:''' On a black background, the white Jim Henson Company logo fades in.


'''Technique:''' None.
'''Technique:''' A still digital graphic.


'''Music/Sounds:''' The opening/ending theme of the show.
'''Audio:''' The opening/ending theme of the show.


'''Availability:''' Only seen on ''Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars''.
'''Availability:''' Only seen on ''Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars''.
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===3rd Logo (April 27, 2005)===
===3rd Logo (April 27, 2005)===
[[File:Ee02174be1ddf6ea07d613bc06f311b9.jpg|300px|center]]
[[File:Ee02174be1ddf6ea07d613bc06f311b9.jpg|300px|center]]
{{MergeSection|5th Logo (April 26, 1991-April 28, 2006)|the 5th Jim Henson Productions logo|Same as the 1991 logo but in a different color}}


'''Logo:''' Same as the last logo, except the logo is stretched out a bit, the logo cuts in, and the Jim Henson text and line are red.
'''Visuals:''' Same as the last logo, except the logo is stretched out a bit, the logo cuts in, and the Jim Henson text and line are red.


'''Technique:''' None.
'''Technique:''' A still digital graphic.


'''Music/Sounds:''' The end theme of the movie.
'''Audio:''' The end theme of the movie.


'''Availability:''' Seen only on ''The Muppets' Wizard of Oz''.
'''Availability:''' Seen only on ''The Muppets' Wizard of Oz''.
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{{YouTube|id=h0-OhvPVfaE}}
{{YouTube|id=h0-OhvPVfaE}}


'''Logo:''' On a black background, a Jim Henson logo in corporate font appears in a box. Below the bar are the words "THE JIM HENSON COMPANY". The whole logo is in gold. While slowly zooming in, the logo flashes with rainbow sparks and then turns blurry before fading out.
'''Visuals:''' On a black background, a Jim Henson logo in its corporate font appears in a box. Below the bar are the words "THE JIM HENSON COMPANY". The whole logo is in gold. While slowly zooming in, the logo flashes with rainbow sparks and then turns blurry before fading out.


'''Variants:'''
'''Variants:'''


* A shorter version exists, in which the logo is sped up a bit.
* A shorter version exists, in which the logo is sped up a bit.
* On some productions, like ''Earth to Ned'' and ''The Portable Door'', the logo appears without the box, and in a slightly darker gold color.
* On some productions, like ''Earth to Ned,'' ''The Portable Door'', and some later prints of ''Farscape'' the logo appears without the box, and in a slightly darker gold color.
* On ''Jim Henson‘s Turkey Hollow'', a still version of the logo appears, stretched out like the 3rd logo.
* On ''Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow'', a still version of the logo appears, stretched out like the 3rd logo.
* At the end of ''The Portable Door'', the logo is still and in silver.
* At the end of ''The Portable Door'', the logo is still and in silver.


'''Technique:''' Simple CGI animation.
'''Technique:''' CGI.


'''Music/Sounds:''' The opening or closing theme of the movie/show.
'''Audio:''' The opening or closing theme of the movie/show.


'''Availability:''' Seen on ''MirrorMask'', ''Jim Henson‘s Turkey Hollow'', ''The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance'', ''Earth to Ned'', the 2022 CGU Insurance short film ''Tall Poppy'', and ''The Portable Door''.
'''Availability:''' Seen on ''MirrorMask'', ''Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow'', ''The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance'', ''Earth to Ned'', the 2022 CGU Insurance short film ''Tall Poppy'', and ''The Portable Door''. Despite the company being involved in producing ''The Star'', this logo never appeared on the film itself.


===5th Logo (November 20, 2006-201?)===
===5th Logo (November 20, 2006-2010s)===
[[File:JimPuppetUp.jpeg|center|250px]]
[[File:JimPuppetUp.jpeg|center|250px]]


'''Logo:''' On a black background, the Jim Henson Company logo in the same style as before blurs in, except "Jim Henson" is red with a white outline, and everything else is white.
'''Visuals:''' On a black background, the Jim Henson Company logo in the same style as before blurs in, except "''Jim Henson''" is red with a white outline, and everything else is white.


'''Technique:''' Blurring effects.
'''Technique:''' Blurring effects.


'''Music/Sounds:''' None.
'''Audio:''' None.


'''Availability:''' Seen on the ''Puppet Up! Uncensored'' special on TBS and videos on the official Jim Henson Company YouTube channel.
'''Availability:''' Seen on the ''Puppet Up! Uncensored'' special on TBS and videos on the official Jim Henson Company YouTube channel.
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
2a6adc96bf95718375454e569db8ab8f.png
2a6adc96bf95718375454e569db8ab8f.png
The Jim Henson Company (Slumberkins, 2022).jpg
</gallery>
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=6JiSa5vdz-4}}
{{YouTube|id=6JiSa5vdz-4|id2=pNLdEKU9MEw}}


'''Logo:''' Against a white grainy background, we see a dragonfly buzzing from the right side of the screen to the left, leaving a star trail and before a giant spider-like creature with eyes on stalks appears, the dragonfly wipes the Jim Henson Company logo from left to right, consisting of a blue "Jim Henson" in its corporate font, with a gold line and "THE JIM HENSON COMPANY" underneath. The dragonfly flies around while the giant spider creature chases after the dragonfly by scampering off the screen. The creatures wiggle kind of like jello.
'''Visuals:''' Against a white grainy background, there is a dragonfly buzzing from the right side of the screen to the left, leaving a star trail and before a giant spider-like creature with eyes on stalks appears, the dragonfly wipes the Jim Henson Company logo from left to right, consisting of a light blue "'''''Jim Henson'''''" in its corporate font, with a gold line and "THE JIM HENSON COMPANY" underneath. The dragonfly flies around while the giant spider creature chases after the dragonfly by scampering off the screen. The creatures wiggle kind of like Jell-O.


'''Trivia:''' The creatures in this logo are based on the drawings of Jim Henson.
'''Trivia:''' The creatures in this logo are based on the drawings of Jim Henson.
Line 105: Line 102:
'''Variants:'''
'''Variants:'''
* A short version exists, which cuts off most of the logo.
* A short version exists, which cuts off most of the logo.
* On ''Fraggle Rock: Rock On!'', the logo is still with no dragonfly or spider creature.
* On <u>''Fraggle Rock: Rock On!''</u>, the logo is still with no dragonfly or spider creature.
*On ''Harriet the Spy'' and ''Dinosaur Train: Adventure Island'', the dragonfly and the spider creature wiggle more.
*On <u>''Harriet the Spy''</u> and <u>''Dinosaur Train: Adventure Island''</u>, the dragonfly and the spider creature wiggle more.
**This is also found on ''Slumberkins'', but it is darker than usual and is sped up.


'''Technique:''' 2D cartoon animation.
'''Technique:''' 2D animation.


'''Music/Sounds:''' A twittering flute sound, followed by an ascending xylophone scale, then the same twittering flute sound, followed by a descending xylophone scale. The sounds of the dragonfly and the spider creature are heard faintly.
'''Audio:''' A twittering flute sound, followed by an ascending xylophone scale, then the same twittering flute sound, followed by a descending xylophone scale. The sounds of the dragonfly and the spider creature are heard faintly.


'''Music/Sounds Variants:'''
'''Audio Variants:'''
*On ''Harriet the Spy'', recent prints of ''Fraggle Rock'' and some episodes of ''Sid the Science Kid'', the end theme plays over the logo.
*On <u>''Harriet the Spy''</u>, <u>''Slumberkins''</u>, <u>recent prints of ''Fraggle Rock''</u> and <u>some episodes of ''Sid the Science Kid''</u>, the end theme plays over the logo.
*On ''Dinosaur Train'', the last second of the ending theme plays over the logo.
*On <u>''Dinosaur Train''</u>, the last second of the ending theme plays over the logo.
* Sometimes, the logo only has the sounds of the dragonfly and the spider creature.
* Sometimes, the logo only has the sounds of the dragonfly and the spider creature.
* On later episodes of the French dub of ''Dinosaur Train'', the logo (alongside the theme song) is double pitched.
* On <u>later episodes of the French dub of ''Dinosaur Train''</u>, the logo (alongside the theme song) is double pitched.


'''Availability:''' Common.
'''Availability:'''
* It was first seen on ''Frances'' (though some prints of the show such as Cartoonito airings in the UK use the still variant of the next logo) and was also seen at the end of ''Sid the Science Kid'' after the KCET logo.
* It was first seen on PBS Kids Sprout airings of ''Frances'' (plastering the [[Jim Henson Animation Studios]] logo) and was also seen at the end of ''Sid the Science Kid'' after the KCET logo.
* It also appears on ''Dinosaur Train'' on PBS, as well as ''Pajanimals''.
* It also appears on ''Dinosaur Train'' on PBS, as well as ''Pajanimals''.
* This was also seen on repeats of ''Fraggle Rock'' on The Hub (now Discovery Family) and current Apple TV+ prints, as well as the ''Harriet the Spy'' TV series.
* This was also seen on repeats of ''Fraggle Rock'' on The Hub (now Discovery Family) and current Apple TV+ prints, as well as the ''Harriet the Spy'' TV series.
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</gallery>{{YouTube|id=QOZlATUZ2fY|width=240|height=185}}
</gallery>{{YouTube|id=QOZlATUZ2fY|width=240|height=185}}


'''Logo:''' On a white background, we see the red text "Jim Henson" in its traditional font and with a trademark sign beside it slowly zoom out. A gray line and the text "THE JIM HENSON COMPANY" appears underneath. The logo shines.
'''Visuals:''' On a white background, the red text "Jim Henson" in its traditional font and with a trademark sign beside it slowly zooms out. A gray line and the text "THE JIM HENSON COMPANY" appears underneath. The logo shines.


'''Technique:''' Basic computer animation.
'''Technique:''' Computer animation.


'''Music/Sounds:''' A four-note acoustic theme with ukulele and chimes.
'''Audio:''' A four-note acoustic theme with ukulele and chimes, composed by Casey Butler.


'''Availability:'''
'''Availability:'''
* Seen at the end of ''Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock'' on Apple TV+, though a similar (albeit still) logo appeared on ''Frances'' (some prints use the previous logo).
* Seen at the end of ''Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock'' on Apple TV+.
* It is also currently unknown whether it will appear on any other productions.
* It is also currently unknown whether it will appear on any other productions.


{{Chronology|[[Jim Henson Productions]]}}
{{Chronology|[[Jim Henson Productions]]<br>[[Jim Henson Pictures]]}}
{{Animation-Navbox}}
{{TV-Navbox}}
[[Category:The Jim Henson Company]]
[[Category:The Jim Henson Company]]
[[Category:Animation logos]]
[[Category:Animation logos]]
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[[Category:American television logos]]
[[Category:American television logos]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:English-language logos]]

Latest revision as of 11:19, 20 October 2024


Background

After Jim Henson died on May 16, 1990, Jim Henson Productions was left under the control of Henson's children, Brian, Lisa, Cheryl, Heather and John, who gave it its current name, The Jim Henson Company, in 1997.

In 2000, the company was sold to German company EM.TV and Merchandising AG, but by the end of that year, EM.TV's stock collapsed, and the company was sold back to the Henson family in 2003. As of 2023, Brian is the company's chairman, Lisa is CEO, and Cheryl and Heather are Board of Directors members. John Henson was also a BOD member until his death in 2014.



1st Logo (August 18, 2000-March 10, 2003)

Visuals: On a black background, a series of flying computer-like lasers and streaks write the green words, "THE JIM HENSON COMPANY" with the word "THE" in superscript format.

Trivia: It's possible this logo was made to differentiate Farscape from the Henson company's more family-friendly works.

Technique: 2D computer animation.

Audio: A phaser sound effect with a whooshing sound, or the end theme of the show or movie.

Availability: Seen on Farscape, starting with the 15th episode of season 2, as well as Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story and The Fearing Mind.

2nd Logo (October 17-18, 2004)

Visuals: On a black background, the white Jim Henson Company logo fades in.

Technique: A still digital graphic.

Audio: The opening/ending theme of the show.

Availability: Only seen on Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars.

3rd Logo (April 27, 2005)

Visuals: Same as the last logo, except the logo is stretched out a bit, the logo cuts in, and the Jim Henson text and line are red.

Technique: A still digital graphic.

Audio: The end theme of the movie.

Availability: Seen only on The Muppets' Wizard of Oz.

4th Logo (September 30, 2005; November 21, 2015; August 30, 2019-)


Visuals: On a black background, a Jim Henson logo in its corporate font appears in a box. Below the bar are the words "THE JIM HENSON COMPANY". The whole logo is in gold. While slowly zooming in, the logo flashes with rainbow sparks and then turns blurry before fading out.

Variants:

  • A shorter version exists, in which the logo is sped up a bit.
  • On some productions, like Earth to Ned, The Portable Door, and some later prints of Farscape the logo appears without the box, and in a slightly darker gold color.
  • On Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow, a still version of the logo appears, stretched out like the 3rd logo.
  • At the end of The Portable Door, the logo is still and in silver.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: The opening or closing theme of the movie/show.

Availability: Seen on MirrorMask, Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Earth to Ned, the 2022 CGU Insurance short film Tall Poppy, and The Portable Door. Despite the company being involved in producing The Star, this logo never appeared on the film itself.

5th Logo (November 20, 2006-2010s)

Visuals: On a black background, the Jim Henson Company logo in the same style as before blurs in, except "Jim Henson" is red with a white outline, and everything else is white.

Technique: Blurring effects.

Audio: None.

Availability: Seen on the Puppet Up! Uncensored special on TBS and videos on the official Jim Henson Company YouTube channel.

6th Logo (June 20, 2008-)


Visuals: Against a white grainy background, there is a dragonfly buzzing from the right side of the screen to the left, leaving a star trail and before a giant spider-like creature with eyes on stalks appears, the dragonfly wipes the Jim Henson Company logo from left to right, consisting of a light blue "Jim Henson" in its corporate font, with a gold line and "THE JIM HENSON COMPANY" underneath. The dragonfly flies around while the giant spider creature chases after the dragonfly by scampering off the screen. The creatures wiggle kind of like Jell-O.

Trivia: The creatures in this logo are based on the drawings of Jim Henson.

Variants:

  • A short version exists, which cuts off most of the logo.
  • On Fraggle Rock: Rock On!, the logo is still with no dragonfly or spider creature.
  • On Harriet the Spy and Dinosaur Train: Adventure Island, the dragonfly and the spider creature wiggle more.
    • This is also found on Slumberkins, but it is darker than usual and is sped up.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: A twittering flute sound, followed by an ascending xylophone scale, then the same twittering flute sound, followed by a descending xylophone scale. The sounds of the dragonfly and the spider creature are heard faintly.

Audio Variants:

  • On Harriet the Spy, Slumberkins, recent prints of Fraggle Rock and some episodes of Sid the Science Kid, the end theme plays over the logo.
  • On Dinosaur Train, the last second of the ending theme plays over the logo.
  • Sometimes, the logo only has the sounds of the dragonfly and the spider creature.
  • On later episodes of the French dub of Dinosaur Train, the logo (alongside the theme song) is double pitched.

Availability:

  • It was first seen on PBS Kids Sprout airings of Frances (plastering the Jim Henson Animation Studios logo) and was also seen at the end of Sid the Science Kid after the KCET logo.
  • It also appears on Dinosaur Train on PBS, as well as Pajanimals.
  • This was also seen on repeats of Fraggle Rock on The Hub (now Discovery Family) and current Apple TV+ prints, as well as the Harriet the Spy TV series.
  • This logo can also be found on Freeform airings of the Fraggle Rock episode "The Bells of Fraggle Rock" on rare occasions.
  • The long version appears on DVDs from the company such as the 2013 re-releases of Fraggle Rock: Complete Series Collection and Fraggle Rock: Meet the Fraggles, as well as at the end of Jim Henson's Family Hub uploads of Construction Site.
  • It also appears on Dinosaur Train: Adventure Island and at the end of various clips from their productions posted to their YouTube channel.

7th Logo (January 20, 2022-)


Visuals: On a white background, the red text "Jim Henson" in its traditional font and with a trademark sign beside it slowly zooms out. A gray line and the text "THE JIM HENSON COMPANY" appears underneath. The logo shines.

Technique: Computer animation.

Audio: A four-note acoustic theme with ukulele and chimes, composed by Casey Butler.

Availability:

  • Seen at the end of Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock on Apple TV+.
  • It is also currently unknown whether it will appear on any other productions.
Jim Henson Productions
Jim Henson Pictures
The Jim Henson Company
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