Parade Video

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum


Background

Parade Video (formerly Parade Videocassettes) was a video company owned by Peter Pan Industries (named after their namesake company, children's music label Peter Pan Records) that was founded in 1984. It operated until 2006 when it was merged into PPI Entertainment, which was then absorbed into Inspired Corporation.



1st Logo (1984-1986)


Visuals: On a cornflower blue background, the angled text "Parade" in a white script font, along with 5 lines behind it, fades in. Below is the text "VIDEOCASSETTES". The logo then fades out, followed by the background fading to the program.

Technique: Fading effects.

Audio: The opening theme of the program.

Availability: Can be seen on Jazzercise tapes and early Denise Austin workout videos.

2nd Logo (1986-1990)


Visuals: On a navy blue-black gradient background, a pair of long peach lines are seen in the middle of the screen. The lines start to retract from the bottom of the screen, while the top lines pull in themselves, eventually revealing that it was the text "parade" in an outlined Haettenschweller-like font (the bottom pair of lines is actually the text mirrored). As it remains still, white walls appear around the left and right edges of the screen, which zoom out to reveal the text "V I D E O" in a serif font, spaced out to fit the length of "parade".

Variants:

  • Two variations on the animation are known to exist:
    • The text is now in hot pink, though it starts off in an aqua color, and the lines also are heavily pixelated before they clear up. "V I D E O" also instead appears below in a smaller size and focuses into view, zooming in slightly as well.
      • A short version of this appeared on an Australian release of Denise Austin: The Complete Workout.
    • The now-italicized text changes colors throughout as it quickly flips around the screen, before it stops and remains in a turquoise color. "V I D E O" also fades in with a perspective effect as well as being slightly pixelated before becoming clearer, and is also closer to "parade".
  • A still variant exists where the entire logo is pink on a black background. "A" and "PRESENTATION" are seen above and below the logo respectively.

Technique: 2D computer animation.

Audio: A cheery low-bass synthesizer tune, which sounds a little like Frank Gari's "Turn To"/"Stand Up" promo music.

Availability: This can be found on a lot of women's workout videotapes. The company also distributed B-movies such as The Fat Spy and Puma Man.

3rd Logo (1990-1992)


Visuals: After the preceding PPI Entertainment Group logo is formed, it flips over to the Parade Video logo from before, but in flamingo pink filled with cornflower blue. The logo then folds over itself and flies away to the center of the screen like a bird, leaving the background, which crumbles away.

Technique: 2D computer animation.

Audio: The last note of the loud synth trumpet fanfare from the PPI logo, held out before ending with a cymbal crash and an ambient sound.

Availability: Seen on releases of the period, such as Ultimate Buns.

4th Logo (1992-1999)


Visuals: After the preceding PPI Entertainment Group logo is formed, the coin flips around and reveals the Parade Video logo, which is different from the previous logos. This time it consists of the word "PARADE" in blue, with the "P" and the "E" extended downwards. In the space between the "P" and the "E" lies the word "VIDEO" in a Century Gothic-type font. Below that are three lines, each one shorter and a different thickness from the other. In the lines is a blue crystal-like object (presumably a diamond) that spins and shines.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: The second half of the 1992 PPI logo theme.

Availability: Seen on later workout videos and B-movie releases. [Examples?]

5th Logo (May 18, 1999)

Visuals: The PPI Entertainment logo forms as usual, but instead of staying on the screen, it fades to a structure of the Parade Video logo rotating on a purple background. The Parade Video logo (this time with the text and crystal in yellow) fades in afterwards.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Same as before.

Availability: So far, it was only seen at the beginning of Denise Austin's Power Kickboxing Workout.

Parade Video
PPI Entertainment