Harpo Films
PAV123
Captures by
Eric S. and Sov
Editions by
MatthewLMayfield, Sov and TheRealMarcel2000
Video captures courtesy of
Cassavetesforaday, Digital media resources, Eric S. (LogicSmash) and Broken Saw
Background
Harpo Films is the film unit of Oprah Winfrey's production company Harpo Studios.
1st Logo (October 16, 1998-2010)
Visuals: On a black background, there is a small square in the middle of the screen with a picture of a young girl sitting on a rocking chair reading a book. The shining words "harpo films" surround the girl.
Trivia: This logo was designed by Eric J. Smith of Shine Studios along with Imaginary Forces. It is a portrait of Oprah as a young girl reading on the porch of her childhood home in Mississippi.
Variants:
- The long version of this logo has the camera panning down to the left to reveal the girl on the rocking chair on a porch. Seconds later, a square surrounds the girl, segueing into the rest of the animation.
- A short version of the above variant exists, starting from when the box surrounds the girl.
Technique: Mostly live action.
Audio: None or the opening/closing theme of the movie.
Availability: Seen on films from the company starting with Beloved. Also appeared at the end of the 2004 TV movie Their Eyes Were Watching God.
2nd Logo (August 8, 2014-)
Visuals: Same as the current Harpo Studios logo, but it is silver and gold on a black background. The name has also been changed to "HARPOFILMS". Also, the rings spin differently towards the end.
Variants:
- On When They See Us, we only see the finished product.
- On The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, the logo is still on a white background.
- On The Color Purple, the text reads "OW FILMS" instead. Also, the logo is tinted in purple, with the background in a darker shade of purple.
Technique: Same as the Harpo Studios logo.
Audio: A 4-note guitar jingle accompanied by strings. Whooshes are heard throughout. Composed by BAM Studios.
Audio Variant: Sometimes, the opening or closing theme of the movie or show is used instead.
Availability: Can be seen on newer films from the company, such as The Hundred-Foot Journey, Selma and The Color Purple. Can also be seen on TV shows from the company, like Greenleaf, Queen Sugar and David Makes Man.