Lightyear Entertainment

Background
Lightyear Entertainment is a distributor of independent motion pictures in theaters, on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD, as well as a distributor of music and music videos on CD, DVD, and digital distribution.

Lightyear releases movies into theaters directly. After the theatrical run, digital distribution and licensing (including VOD, EST, SVOD and TV) in North America is now conducted through 1091 (formerly called The Orchard). Physical distribution of DVDs and Blu-rays is through MVD Distribution. From 2010-2018, both digital and physical were through eOne Distribution. From 2008-10, it was through Vivendi Visual Entertainment, and from 1995-2008, through Warner Home Video. From 1991-95, it was distributed through BMG Video. Lightyear's music business in North America is distributed by Virgin Music Group/Universal Music Group.

1st Logo (1987-2009)
Visuals: There is a black screen. Then a page effect occurs with purple borders, which reveals a background with the white word "LIGHTYEAR" in it. Then a flash spells out the word "ENTERTAINMENT" in spaced-out letters (ala the 1982 Vestron Video logo), and in a small font, appearing to fit the width of "LIGHTYEAR". The word "LIGHTYEAR" then flashes.

Variants:
 * From 1987 to 1991, "A" and "Production" appeared above and below the logo.
 * Starting in the late 1990s, the web address "www.lightyear.com" in caps or non-caps fades in below the logo.
 * A short version exists.

Technique: A mix of traditional and computer effects.

Audio:
 * 1987-Late 1990s: A '80s synth note with tickling, followed by a synth harp when "ENTERTAINMENT" appears, and the synth note continues.
 * Late 1990s-2009: A marching drum theme.

Availability: Seen on releases from the era such as Heaven, The Return of Swamp Thing, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Jailbait and The Gristle. It plasters the RCA Video Productions logo on '90s prints of its content like Elvis videos. The short version is seen on Jane Fonda's Lower Body Solution. The logo never appeared on either Dinosaucers or other Jane Fonda workout videos, despite having an in-credit notice for the company. Current prints plaster it with the next logo.

2nd Logo (2009-2018)
Visuals: Over a dark cloudy background is multicolored sparks (a la the 1994 United Artists logo) move toward the screen. The sparks move away, and we see lights, which reveal the same text from before. The spark flashes and the text turns, flashing like a neon sign. The logo slowly zooms in.

Technique: CGI effects.

Audio: Silent, the opening theme of the movie or a thud with a 3-notes fanfare played on an electric guitar.

Availability: Seen on releases of the era like Tanna and Thy Will Be Done, and it was also used to plaster the RCA Video Productions and the original Lightyear Entertainment logo on current prints. The fanfare version can be found on the Tubi copy of Jane Fonda's Original Workout.

3rd Logo (2018-)
Visuals: On a stone background, lines cut out to create the company name in white with a flashing  outline. The light then shines, and the stone background disappears, revealing the former word in, and the latter word in white. The embers briefly appear in, until the logo disappears.

Technique: CGI effects.

Audio: A harp synth theme, not unlike the 1st logo.

Availability: Seen on a few movies, like Jirga and The Etruscan Smile. Used in tandem with the next logo.

4th Logo (2018-)
Visuals: There is a and purple vortex spiraling. It zooms toward and travels across the screen. Then the screen zooms/spin in to reveal the text "LIGHTYEAR" in a tall font, with a light glowing below the "T" and sparks emit throughout the logo. The word "ENTERTAINMENT" appears in white via lighting effects in a plain font, down below the name as sparks emit throughout the text. The logo then shines, and the vortex continues spiraling. The light then dies down, making the background solid black.

Technique: CGI effects.

Audio: None or the opening theme of the movie.

Availability: Seen on recent films, like CRSHD and Maze.