Working Title Films

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum

Revision as of 16:54, 9 October 2023 by Camenati (talk | contribs) (Text replacement - "Logo:" to "Visuals:")



Background

Working Title Films was founded in London in 1984 by producers Tim Bevan and Sarah Radclyffe. Some of their early films were released through Atlantic Releasing Corporation, Miramax Films and Orion Pictures (under the Orion Classics label). Starting in 1990, they would produce films for PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. Radclyffe would eventually leave the company in 1992 and was replaced with fellow independent producer Eric Fellner. In 1999, Working Title was taken over by Universal Studios when Seagram bought and folded PolyGram. Today, both Bevan and Fellner are co-chairs of the company. Working Title Films didn't use a logo until the release of Panther in May 1995.



1st Logo (May 3, 1995-May 25, 2001)

Visuals: Against a black background is a circle. The words "WORKING TITLE" are seen cut in-between the circle. The word "FILMS" is seen curved on the bottom half of the circle. The byline "a PolyGram company" with "PolyGram" in the corporate font is seen below.

Variants:

  • On some films such as The Matchmaker and Billy Elliot, the circle is red.
  • A bylineless variant exists.
  • A variant that reads "W2" is known to exist.

Technique: None.

Audio: None or the closing theme of the movie.

Availability: It's seen on pre-2001 films, superimposed over the the closing credits such as Fargo, Bean, The Borrowers, The Big Lebowski, and Elizabeth, among others. The opening version is quite rare.

2nd Logo (April 13, 2001-)


Visuals: On a black background in a brown spot that expands, a blueprint draws a circle. The circle then splits and becomes several circles, which spin around like a gyroscope, until they merge into a single black ring. The brown spot becomes a dark blue spotlight and the words "WORKING TITLE" flip upwards in-between the ring.

Variant: In 2002, a brighter version was introduced.

Closing Variant: The print logo is used.

Technique: A mix of 2D and 3D animation.

Audio: None or the opening theme of the film.

Availability:

  • Can be seen on films such as Bridget Jones's Diary (the first film to use this logo), Love Actually, Johnny English, Thunderbirds, Smokin' Aces, Mr. Bean's Holiday, Hot Fuzz, and Paul, among others.
  • The brighter version is seen on most post-2002 films since About a Boy, although the original version still appears on newer films such as Les Misérables.

3rd Logo (Alternate) (December 5, 2008-)

Note: The print logo was shown on posters for their films since 2008, but it's also used as an alternate on-screen logo as well.

Visuals: On a black background is a partially seen circle with a break in the middle. The words "WORKING TITLE" are seen in-between the circle (like before). The "K" is connected to the circle.

Technique: None.

Audio: None.

Availability: Seen on trailers and posters for their films since December 2008, and first appeared superimposed into the end credits of State of Play in April 2009. The previous logo is still used, and this featured one is generally relegated to the end.

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