Codeblack Films

Background

Codeblack Films is an American entertainment company founded by Jeff Clanagan in 2005, who later became the CEO of the company. It produces films targeting African-American audiences, although it originally focused on direct-to-video releases. In 2012, the compamy entered a distribution deal with Lionsgate, with its first film under the deal being Kevin Hart's stand-up special, Let Me Explain. In March 2015, the company entered an agreement with Eagle Films to distribute all films produced or co-produced by them in the Middle East and North Africa.

1st Logo (2008)

• 

Visuals: In front of water against the New York City skyline at night, the letters of "CODEBLACK" (with the "B" enclosed on a circle with a "C" on it) rise from the water. As this happens, a light from an off-screen helicopter passes on the letters briefly, and "ENTERTAINMENT" in spaced out letters zooms in underneath. The helicopter's light again passes as the logo shines. The logo crossfades to a black screen with the company's URL, which zooms in a bit.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: The sounds of water, then the sounds of a helicopter flying, then a high-pitched reggae-ish tune.

Availability: Only seen on Eddie Griffin: Freedom of Speech.

2nd Logo (2010-2015)

• 

Visuals: The screen zooms out from the windows of a blue-yellow skyscraper, where the screen passes through a flickering billboard and buildings with Mobile and Enterprises signs on them. As the screen zooms out, the screen passes through the "B" logo on a mirrored golden Codeblack logo sign. The screen then zooms out to the water, revealing the futuristic city skyline, just like before. The logo from before rises as usual as it drops off some water, and the skyline fades out, leaving the logo, which fades out a second later.

Variant: There is another version where the text reads "CODEBLACK FILMS" with a Lionsgate byline underneath.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A triumphant orchestral fanfare, complete with whooshes for the zoom-outs and water sounds when the logo rises up.

Availability: Seen on its films and specials until 2015 such as Mike Epps: Don't Take It Personal.

3rd Logo (2015-)

• 

Visuals: The screen passes by through some metallic monoliths in space, where a light shines through. As the screen zooms out, it then reveals to be the words "CODEBLACK FILMS" in front of a star. We then go to a comfortable distance, which gives off a partial view of a blue planet, and the star dims down as the Lionsgate byline wipes in below.

Technique: CGI, done by Kelly Carlton at Trailer Park.

Audio: A different triumphant orchestral fanfare. On early films, it used the theme from the last logo (without the whooshes and water sounds).

Availability: Seen on its films from 2015 onwards such as Fast Color.