Empire Theatres

Background
Empire Theatres was a cinema chain founded in 1978, owned by Empire Company Ltd. On June 27, 2013, it was announced that they would sell their theatres to Cineplex Entertainment and Landmark Cinemas.

1st Logo (1980s)
Logo: On a space background, a blue oval of light flashes in, followed by another blue oval shorter in height. Some lights appear in the middle, and the ovals duplicate and move away to the top and bottom of the screen. While this happens, a neon theatre marquee is formed, with the text "EMPIRE THEATRES" in a font similar to Freehand 575. The words "Our Feature Presentation" in Crillee come in from the top and bottom of the screen with extrusion. When they are in position, the extrusion zooms into the text, causing it to flash. The text shines.

Previews Variant: The text says "Coming Soon", and they come from the bottom-left and top-right of the screen.

Technique: Cel animation by Cinema Concepts, from their DynaDater series of snipes.

Music/Sounds: A short version of "Backfire 1" by Anthony Hobson.

Availablility: Extinct.

2nd Logo (1989?-1990s)
Logo: On a blue/black gradient background with a floor, we see three silver filmstrips in an arc shape rotating one by one into position from behind the floor. The top and bottom filmstrips rotate clockwise, while the middle one rotates counter-clockwise. Sparkles can be seen flashing periodically on the logo. When the logo is formed, the filmstrips shine, and the text "EMPIRE THEATRES" appears via a glittering effect. More sparkles are seen flashing, and the text "Feature Presentation" in a script font appears with a wiping flash effect. The "EMPIRE THEATRES" text shines with a ball of light, and the logo remains on screen for several more seconds before fading out.

Previews Variant: On this variant, the filmstrips flash in from top to bottom, and the text at the bottom says "Coming Soon".

Technique: Cel animation.

Music/Sounds: An easy listening tune with synth drums. The previews variant uses a different theme.

Availablility: Extinct.

4th Logo (2004-2010)
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Logo: On a space background, we see a circle of pillars on a grey platform, and colourful light flares in the middle. We zoom through the pillars and the flares bring down six triangle-like shapes, while the Empire Theatres logo from the period (three filmstrips in an arc shape on a blue oval) zooms out, and the words "EMPIRE THEATRES" appear below. The logo zooms out, then the background irises out as the logo fades away with a blur effect. Then, a no symbol with a cell phone appears on the left with the words "Please Turn Off!", followed by a yellow circle with a trash can in the middle with the words "Please Deposit Refuse", and a yellow circle with a speech bubble that says "Shh!..." on the right with the words "Please Be Courteous". Finally, "FEATURE PRESENTATION" zooms out, initially in black but fading to white as it stops. There is a smoke effect behind the words.

Technique: CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: An upbeat piano/guitar theme, with wind sound effects when the logo and the "FEATURE PRESENTATION" text zoom out. Three whooshes are heard when the circles appear.

Availablility: Extinct.

6th Logo (2012-2013)
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Logo: On a sky background, we see two searchlights close to us crossing back and forth. As we zoom out, two more searchlights in the background are seen, along with a bright beacon of light pointing up. We zoom back past some clouds, as the beacon shines and forms the Empire Theatres logo from the period, with two beacons shining from the two searchlights. The clouds blow away as the text "FEATURE PRESENTATION" fades in below.

Technique: CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: A dramatic orchestral fanfare, with synth twinkling at the beginning and the end. Composed by Asif and Shehab Illyas of The Shire.

Availablility: Extinct.