Production logo

Many production logos have become famous over the years, such as the 20th Century Studios' monument and searchlights and MGM's Leo the Lion.

In the early days of Hollywood, production logos and brands were simple and very much like their print counterparts, usually appearing on title cards and in the opening credits.

[2] The Paramount Pictures mountain logo hails from this era and originally featured no special effects.

[3] In the 1930s, Twentieth Century Pictures introduced their futuristic "tower" logo, which had moving searchlights; it was carried over when they merged with Fox Film Corporation in 1935 and became 20th Century-Fox.

[7] By 2007, almost all production logos have become produced (or edited) on computers, and have reached a level of sophistication equivalent to that of the best special effects.

There are some exceptions; the Mutant Enemy "grr, argh" ID was shot using a camcorder and paper models, and the producers of South Park even recycled footage from an old Braniff Airlines ad for their "vanity" logo.

Producer Chuck Lorre uses his production card to post a long essay or observation in small type which changes each week and requires pausing with a recording device to read.

The "Transmitter" production logo of RKO Radio Pictures (1929-1957)
Paramount mountain logo, c.1940
The live-action lion mascot of Goldwyn Pictures from 1917, later Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM)