ESPN Films

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum


Background

On March 3, 2008, ESPN announced that it would relaunch its original entertainment unit as ESPN Films. Under the restructuring, ESPN Films began producing projects for theatrical release in addition to television; majority corporate parent The Walt Disney Company holds the right of first refusal on all projects. In addition, ESPN announced a new alliance with the Creative Artists Agency, which among its various clients, represents athletes such as LeBron James, David Beckham and Peyton Manning.

The first production under the ESPN Films banner was Black Magic, a four-hour documentary about the history of basketball played at historically black colleges and universities, that premiered on ESPN without commercial interruption over two consecutive nights starting on March 16, 2008; the film later won a Peabody Award in 2009. The company's first theatrical film was X Games 3D: The Movie, which was released on August 21, 2009.



1st Logo (August 21, 2009-)

Visuals: A series of images from a football and golf game is seen. The images turn to the left, and the outline of the ESPN logo is seen and it begins to flash, revealing "ESPN FILMS".

Technique: Computer animation.

Audio: None.

Availability: Can be seen on theatrical films produced by the studio.

2nd Logo (October 6, 2009-July 30, 2015)

Visuals: Images of various athletes are seen in a sepia-tone as a dust-like effect reveals "ESPN FILMS".

Technique: Computer animation.

Audio: A short beat and metallic hiss when the text is revealed.

Availability: Can be seen on the first two seasons of 30 for 30.

3rd Logo (October 13, 2015-)

Visuals: The camera moves back from a camera lens to see the ESPN Films logo in the same design as the previous two logos. It then zooms forward and the screen zooms into the lens.

Technique: Computer animation.

Audio: Same as the previous logo.

Availability: Can be seen on 30 for 30 beginning with Season 3.

ESPN Original Entertainment
ESPN Films
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