Chameleon Television

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum


Background

Chameleon Television was a British documentary company incorporated on 10 July 1979 and dissolved on 1 August 2017[1]. They did not have an onscreen logo until around 1993.



1st Logo (1993?-1996?)

Visuals: On a blue gradient background, there is a gray tube shape with two dissolving white line streaks intersecting on the bottom right of the shape. Underneath it reads "CHAMELEON TELEVISION PRODUCTION FOR YORKSHIRE TELEVISION" with "(C) 1993" appearing below.

Technique: A still, computerized graphic.

Audio: None or the ending theme of the programme.

Availability: Only known to have appeared on Boy George: From Christ To Krishna.

2nd Logo (1996?-2000)

Visuals: On a dodger blue-slate blue striped wall background, the same logo is seen but with more shading and reflection and the bottom text is in a dark gold color.

Variants:

  • On one episode of Flux, possibly even the entire show, two men walk into the last shot of the end credits and wave at the audience. The screen would then cut to this logo with them still waving before fading out a few seconds later.
  • A Channel 5 has the logo smaller and the text beveled.

Technique: For the most part, none. A mix of live-action for the Flux variant.

Audio: None or the ending theme of the programme.

Availability: Appears on the game show Flux as well as several documentaries such as The Black Panther and the 2000 documentary Harold Shipman: Doctor Death.

3rd Logo (2000-2001)

Visuals: On a horizontal black-grey gradient background, the logo from before is shown albeit the streaks are now normal black lines and split the tube into four pieces. The box additionally is in a black-gray-black gradient fill with a black outer glow. Underneath it is the company name in the same font as the 1st logo but with a white-black horizontal gradient fill.

Technique: A still, computerized graphic.

Audio: The ending theme of the programme.

Availability: It was resurfaced on a 29 September 2002 Channel 4 broadcast, although the programme that had this logo is unknown.

4th Logo (2001-2003)

Visuals: The tube shaped logo from before is now a bright color with the perpendicular lines being just a cut-out with a lens flare at the intersection point. Like before, the company name is shown below albeit in a different font.

Variants:

  • Sometimes, the text "PRODUCTION" is added below.
  • Channel 4 co-produced programmes has the logo on the left side of the screen.
  • A print version of this logo exists at the end of some programmes, notably on Yorkshire co-produced programmes.

Technique: A still, computerized graphic.

Audio: None or the ending theme of the programme.

Availability:

  • Some programmes from this period has seen some exposure within the past several years, including Unforgiven: The Boys Who Murdered James Bulger, Climbing For The Fatherland, Ken Dodd in the Dock, among others.
  • Many of these are archived on sites such as Screenocean.

5th Logo (2003-2007)

Visuals: Inside a black tube shape with a white outline is a stylized chameleon's curled tail pointing downwards. A small portion of the tail is color lime whereas the rest is green. Underneath it reads "CHAMELEON TV" in black.

Variant: An early version of the logo has the outline missing and the text reading "CHAMELEON TELEVISION".

Technique: A still, digital graphic.

Audio: None or the ending theme of the programme.

Availability: Like before, it was seen on several documentaries from the mid-2000's, including several Dispatches documentaries, specifically Killing for Honour and Secret Teacher, as well as The Family Who Vanished.

6th Logo (2007-2015)

Visuals: Inside a white box is a more 3D and detailed chameleon tail, now curled upwards with a shadow. Also, the color for the tail is now vertical with the lime color on top and green underneath. Underneath it reads "A Chameleon Television Production".

Variant: Starting in 2012, the text is now inside the box, reading "CHAMELEON TV". Additionally, the chameleon tail image is flipped horizontally and the box is taller.

Technique: A still, digital graphic.

Audio: None or the ending theme of the programme.

Availability:

  • Has appeared on several documentaries from this period like last time such as some Panorama and Dispatches documentaries and A Very Special Constable.
  • Its last appearance was on Forced Marriage Cops.

References