Redbus Film Distribution

Background

Redbus Film Distribution was a British motion picture distribution and investment company that was founded in 1997 by Simon Franks and Zygi Kamasa; however, it didn't use a logo or distribute films until 2000. It was acquired by German media company Helkon Media AG on May 6, 2001 for $23 million and Redbus changed its name to "Helkon SK" to reflect its partnership with Helkon Media. On May 6, 2003, Helkon SK ended the partnership after Helkon Media went bankrupt, and changed its name back to Redbus. On October 17, 2005, Lionsgate acquired Redbus Film Distribution for $35 million, and Redbus was renamed as "Lionsgate UK" on February 23, 2006; they also formed a separate production division called Redbus Pictures. However, the investment division of Redbus is still in operation, independent from Lionsgate.

Redbus Film Distribution

(2000-2001, 2004-2006)

Logo: On a black background, many light streaks are seen, appearing one by one, forming a tunnel. The camera flies through the lights and tunnel. As more light streaks appear, we come across a wall. The streaks then move at light speed. The lights then fade as two red boxes quickly shake back and forth. The boxes form a rectangle and a streak forms the word "REDBUS". The rectangle then compresses and "PICTURES" or "FILM DISTRIBUTION" fades in.

Variant: Prior to the Helkon acquisition, there was an early variant that had a different ending. Two circles are shown shaking and compressing into a dark red sphere near the left of the screen. The streak forms "redbus" in a different font (Peignot, the same used in the first ABC Circle Films and Viacom logos) with the extensions in "db" being taller than the rest of the text. "film distribution plc" wipes in near the right.

Technique: The streaks.

Music/Sounds: A breakbeat combined with various futuristic sounds, including a sound of a supercar passing by, before ending with chopped beeps and a deep thud upon the logo's formation.

Availability: Rare, as this was only seen in the UK. Appears on British releases of An American Haunting, Ushpizin, and Tooth, among others. In America, the "PICTURES" variant can be seen on the Sterling DVD of Tooth. The early variant can be seen on UK tapes such as Maybe Baby and Under Suspicion.

Helkon SK

(2002-2003)

Logo: On a black background, we see a small Colosseum. The walls are blue and inside is gold with a gold light shining. Below is the text "HELKON SK" in gold lettering with each letter in the word "HELKON" spaced out.

Trivia: This logo is basically the same as the Helkon Filmverleih film counterpart, used around 1998-2003 in Germany.

Variants:

• There is an animated production logo, used only within the years of Helkon SK's existence. The Colosseum appeared on the sunlight, zooming and rotating on the screen.
• There is also a variant where the walls are lavender.

Technique: The fading, or logo animation for the long version.

Music/Sounds: None. For the long version, it's the sounds of a radar followed by a "whoosh" sound.

Availability: Rare. It's seen on UK releases such as Bend It Like Beckham, A Walk to Remember, and Republic of Love, among others. The long version was seen on the 2003 version of Hansel and Gretel and Repli-Kate.