Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum


Background

The Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography (abbreviated to VGIK) is a Moscow-based film school established on September 1, 1919 by Vladimir Gardin. The institute is notable as the oldest film school in the world. During the Soviet Union era, it was required that filmmakers should attend this school in order to direct a movie. In 2013, the institute was classified as a cultural heritage site.



1st Logo (July 1, 1956)

Visuals: A silhouette of a cameraman holding a film projector is against a white rectangle. The bottom left side has five holes while the right has four. The company's initials in Times New Roman is seen above the logo.

Technique: A still, printed image.

Audio: None.

Availability: So far, it was seen on Убийцы.

2nd Logo (April 26, 1959)

Visuals: Each word in the company's name, with the first letter in a relatively big size and normal font, appear in between two thin lines. The serif font formatted letters disappear and the initials move to the bottom right corner where they are on a slanted path. Four and one filmstrip hole appear on the left and right respectively. Then, the screen crossfades to a three dimensional, larger, and tighter model of the previous shot, coupled with "CCCP" underneath the black bar engraved on a white rectangular sign. The screen zooms out with the logo now on the top left to make room for the following text:

ИЗ АЛЬМАНАХА
No 1

Technique: Cel animation.

Audio: A cold, high-pitched chimes soundtrack.

Availability: Seen on Ребята с нашего двора.

3rd Logo (2011-)

Visuals: The cameraman from the 1st logo has more details and his legs overlap with an outlined filmstrip with four holes on each side. Usually, the company's initials are involved and are placed below the logo but it may also be joined with its full name or the whole text section may be re-worded.

Variant: On Замок эльфов, the filmstrip was omitted.

Technique: A still, digital graphic.

Audio: None or the opening theme of the film.

Availability: Seen on newer short films produced by students under the institute such as The Taste, Грани любви, and Замок эльфов.

4th Logo (November 12, 2019-)

Visuals: A red light with dust particle fades in, quickly becoming brighter as the film projector turns on. A close up of the projector is then seen and zooms out, showing several parts inside the camera lens. The sequence absorbs into a light particle, which disappears and goes to the cameraman logo from before against a white rectangle. While a large light leak briefly appears on the top left, the following text is revealed below the logo:

всероссийский государственный институт
кинематографии
имени с. а. герасимова

(вгик)

The logo is seen slightly flickering while it continues to zoom out.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: There is a film projector sound throughout the logo. The film starting up can also be heard, seguing into a rising orchestrated sting.

Availability: Can be seen on Покоряя мечты.

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