Walden Media

Background

Walden Media is an American film investor, distributor, and publishing company. Its films are based on children's literature, biographies, or historical events, as well as documentaries and some original screenplays. The company's name originated from Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. It was founded in 2000 by Michael Flaherty and Cary Granat but did not have a logo until 2003.

1st Logo (April 11, 2003-August 14, 2009)

Nim's Island TV spot

Logo: In a lake with hills and trees behind it (presumably Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts), a flipping stone hits the water three times with a trail and creates a ripple effect in each. As all this happens, the lake and trail are enclosed in a black circle and "WALDEN MEDIA" fades in below. After a few seconds, we fade out.

Variants:

An in-credit version of this logo is used in the closing credits.
A print logo was used on The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep game for Nintendo DS.
On Because of Winn Dixie, the ripping water freezes after the logo finishes.
On a TV spot for Nim's Island, the 20th Century Fox logo transitions to this logo via a "wipe" effect.

Technique: A combination of live-action and CGI by Imaginary Forces and Vram FX.

Music/Sounds: A 3-note piano sounder with horns, composed by Jeremy Soule. Sometimes, the opening theme of the film plays instead.

Music/Sounds Variants:

On Because of Winn-Dixie and Ghosts of the Abyss, a calm, synthesized theme is used.
At the end of The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep, it is silent.

Availability: Seen on films produced by the studio during the time frame. It first appeared on Ghosts of the Abyss and last appeared on Bandslam.

Legacy: In real life, the stone would be skipping in the wrong direction. The biggest jump should be first, not last. However, the footage is possibly reversed, so this is excusable.

2nd Logo (January 22, 2010-)

Logo: A redone CGI version of the previous logo. This time, the ripple effect is in gold, the "WALDEN MEDIA" text is colored blue, and it's in a different lake environment. Also, the rock bounces from the right instead of the left and is hopping away from the camera.

Variant: A shortened version exists on the 2020 adaptation of The Baby-Sitters Club.

Technique: Same as before, though the design studio this time is unknown.

Music/Sounds: Same as the previous logo, albeit slightly condensed.

Availability: Seen on all of the company's films starting with Tooth Fairy (although trailers of the film use the previous logo). This does not appear on Waiting for "Superman". Also seen on the 2020 adaptation of The Baby-Sitters Club, which is the studio's first TV series.