AVID:Glossary

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In this page, we will explain some of the commonly-used terminology being used on the wiki. More terms and definitions may appear over time, so stay tuned!

A

 * Anniversary
 * Term used on a logo to describe when a certain company is celebrating their existence for a certain number of years. For example, the Paramount 75th, 90th and 100th Anniversary logos, or more recently, the Disney 100 Years logo.


 * Audiovisual identity
 * A brand or entity that primarily encompasses audio and visual components such as logos, colors, typography, music, and others to create a consistent and recognizable brand identity.

B

 * Blacked out
 * When a company blacks out either an outdated byline, "IAW" text, or an entire logo. For example, some variants of the Hanna-Barbera "Swirling Star" logos have the respective bylines blacked out by later companies.


 * Breakbumpers
 * In television, a short visual clip that is seen to signify the start or end of commercial breaks. These can also be used to announce the program coming up next. They usually range between five to fifteen seconds in length.


 * Byline
 * A short sentence explaining who owns a company, placed at the end of a logo. Take Universal Pictures for example, with "A COMCAST COMPANY".

C

 * Capture
 * A video/audio recording of logos or other media.


 * Cel animation
 * A method of animation that involves drawing each frame manually by hand. This method of animation was prominent before the introduction of Scanimation (see below) and CGI. For example, earlier versions of the 1985 Walt Disney Pictures logo were made with cel animation.


 * CGI
 * Stands for computer-graphics imagery or computer generated imagery. This means that the animation was done by a computer, whether it be 2D or 3D. As computers improve over time, newer logos have more and more details put in them.


 * Cheesy
 * A term used frequently during the WikiFoundry and KRS eras to describe a logo whose effects/animation/music had not aged well. No longer in use due to the wiki shifting direction to be more professional.


 * Choppy
 * When a logo stutters when moving (or if the logo seems a little jumpy between frames). For example, The 1987 DiC logo.


 * Chyron
 * An electronically or cel-generated caption superimposed on a television or movie screen.


 * Compressed (on-screen) credits
 * A credits style where the credits and their respective logos appear at the bottom of the screen, overlayed with the final scene of the show. The Viacom networks, starting with Nickelodeon in 2014, are notorious for using this style of credits.


 * Clip-on
 * An identification with specific information for trailers. An example would be the Disney Filmreel Clip-Ons. (Coming soon..., etc.)


 * Co-production
 * A collaborative arrangement between two or more companies to jointly produce a creative or cultural work such as a film or television series.

D

 * Double-Pitched:
 * A variant in which the logo's audio is an additional step higher than the pitch-up that would typically result from an NTSC to PAL conversion. Like low-toned variants, these usually result from editing and processing errors.

E

 * Endboard/endcap
 * A closing logo, typically used to refer to the network/station's production logo.


 * Enhanced
 * This is when a logo keeps the exact same animation, but is remastered or altered very subtly. For example, the DreamWorks Pictures logo was enhanced in 2021.

F

 * Filmed
 * This mean the logo was edited on film. These logos tend to have a lower FPS, and sometimes the picture moves around slightly (an effect called gate weave), compared to videotaped logos.


 * Film-O-Vision
 * When a videotaped logo is put on film. For example, the 1991 Universal Television logo.


 * Folded
 * When a company shuts down operations and their productions are transferred to another company. For example, Lorimar Television was folded into Warner Bros. Television in 1993.


 * FPS
 * Stands for "frames per second". The FPS of a logo varies, especially between filmed and videotaped logos.

H

 * High Tone
 * A variant where the logo's audio is higher pitch than normal. Generally the result of a conversion from NTSC to PAL.

I

 * IAW/In association with
 * This means that the company who produced or distributed the program is working together with the company that follows that logo. Usually precedes a large television company such as 20th Century Fox Television, or appears on the top of the preceding logo such as Universal Television.


 * Ident/ID
 * A short sequence shown between programs on TV to identify the network.


 * In-credit logo
 * A logo that is seen at the end of movie and TV credits, like the first Embassy Television logo. In-credit text that mentions a company does not officially count as a logo, such as the text at the end of The Young and the Restless crediting Sony Pictures Television, Bell Dramatic Serial Company, and Corday Productions.


 * In-your-face animation
 * When a logo hurtles towards the screen at a very fast rate before coming to an abrupt stop when it gets larger in view. One well-known example is the Viacom "V of Doom" logo.

L
A variant where the logo's audio is lower pitched. Typically the result of editing mistakes or tape/film deterioration.
 * Low-tone

M

 * Moog
 * An analog synthesizer used in the 1960s and 1970s. Many logos from this era use these synthesizers, like the 1965 Screen Gems logo and the WGBH logo.

N

 * Nickname
 * An official name that is used to refer to a certain logo or trailer from a company, for example, THX's "Broadway" trailer. Unofficial nicknames have been retired from the wiki and should not be added to pages — but a few logos, such as Viacom's "V of Doom", have gained widely-used fan nicknames due to their infamy.

O

 * On-screen logo
 * A logo used on screen, including films and television.


 * Open
 * A sequence used by theaters and television networks/stations before the showing of a feature film. Opens serve similar purposes to both idents (identifying the theater or television network/station) and feature presentation bumpers.


 * Out of print
 * This means that the video release which has a logo is no longer being produced.

P

 * Placeholder logo
 * A logo that is used on a show or video when the new one isn't quite ready yet. Common characteristics of placeholder logos include the lack of animation (i.e., being a still logo), or if animation is present, it is very simple, basic or cheap. Placeholder logos are also used for a short timespan, usually a year or less.


 * Plaster
 * When a company deletes and/or replaces an older logo with either a newer logo from the same company, or a different company's logo. The latter can happen when a work changes distributors, especially if the original company has gone defunct. Sometimes this goes wrong which can have interesting results, such as newer logos appearing with an older logo's music or older logos being glimpsed for a brief moment before (or sometimes even after) the new logo jumps in.


 * Potato capture
 * When a logo gets captured using a camera pointing toward a TV, computer, or any related device rather than a screen recorder/capture device. Potato captures generally should not be uploaded onto this wiki, but exceptions for certain logos are sometimes made.


 * Print logo
 * A logo seen on movie posters, box art, end of trailers, etc.


 * Prototype
 * An earlier (and sometimes rough) version of a logo used on programs or videotapes prior to the introduction of the final version of the logo, usually seen only a few times before the final logo is introduced. For example, the 1994 New Line Cinema logo.


 * Production logo
 * An on-screen logo used by production and distribution companies. These logos often utilize motion and synchronized sound.

R

 * Reverse plaster
 * When a logo gets plastered once but has the older logo put back on. As with normal plastering, this can go wrong with interesting results, such as older logos appearing with music from newer logos.

S

 * Scanimate
 * An analog computer system that was used to produce video effects and animation for movies, TV series, and logos, among other things. By the late 1980s, Scanimate units became obsolete as newer computer systems could create more complex and realistic animations.


 * Split-screen credits
 * A credits style where the credits take up a portion of the screen, with the rest being occupied with either the final scene of the show or commercials. The logos usually follow the credits. The Nickelodeon networks were the most notable for using this style from mid-2000 until 2017, with the main Nick network discontinuing use in 2014. Other networks, such as Lifetime, Freeform, and AMC's movie airings also use this type of credits.


 * Standalone logo
 * When a logo is shown by itself and is not compressed to share the screen with other logos or in-credit information.


 * Superimposed
 * When a logo is embedded or burned into the opening of a film or in the closing credits. For example, variations of the Warner Bros.-Seven Arts.

T
A short animation typically seen on television advertisements, usually to showcase the company name/logo, often animated (a motion logo). If used at the end of an advertisement, it is referred to as an end tag.
 * Tag


 * Telecine
 * When a filmed logo is transferred to videotape. For example, the 1989 Touchstone Home Video logo.


 * Trailer
 * There are three ways of defining trailer:
 * A preview of a movie, television program, video game, etc. that is coming soon. Some logos have variations specifically crafted for certain trailers.
 * In sound systems, defined as the short animation showcasing the system's logo, typically combined with audio specifically designed to take advantage of the capabilities of the sound system.
 * The opening animation of a theater, usually showcasing its features and policies. Often features the theater's logo.


 * TV movie
 * A film that is meant to be shown on television which runs as long as a standard cinematic film. They are usually made with a lower budget.

V

 * Vanity card/plate
 * Another term for production logo. However, this term generally refers to the logos of independent television companies, which often have novelty qualities. They often denote a certain individual or group's involvement with a work.


 * Variant
 * A variation and/or update of an existing logo. This term generally refers to a version of a logo used repeatedly in distinct works.


 * Variation
 * A special variant of a logo used as a one-off, typically made specifically for the film/show it appears on. For example, the Thank God It's Friday version of the Columbia Pictures logo in which the Torch Lady does a disco dance.


 * Videotaped
 * This means the logo was edited on videotape, and these logos tend to have a higher framerate, resulting in smoother animation compared to filmed logos.