WEDU

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum


Background

WEDU is a PBS affiliate located in Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg, Florida.



1st (known) Logo (1970s-Mid 1980s)


Visuals: On a live-action shot of downtown Tampa, as the camera pans around it (a la the 1980s WNED logo), the WEDU logo slides from left to right, one letter at a time. At the same time, "TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG" flies underneath it.

Variant: A variant used as a station ID was set in a beach background.

Technique: Live-action, with motion-controlled animation for the text.

Audio: None, or the promo music.

Availability: It was seen on promos from WEDU during the 1970s. It was also used as a station ID.

2nd Logo (1987-1992)

Visuals: Against a mustard yellow-teal gradient background, the letters "WEDU", in a Blippo Black font, and containing an image of a beach with a palm tree, fly all over the screen close to the viewer. Once they settle in place, "TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG", in the Bauhaus 93 font, fade in, and a white light passes over the letters, then, the screen fades out.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A sound of waves crashing to shore, along with three pounding synth beats, a synth-organ note held down, and three more pounding synth beats, ending with two dings.

Availability: So far, it was only known to appear on Every Island Is Its Own Song.

3rd Logo (1992-1995)


Visuals: Set against a sand background, water ripples form the current WEDU logo, which consists of the call letters in a very tall, thin font, with three curvy flags (red, green, and blue) forming the spike of the "E". The words "TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG" can be seen below.

Variants:

  • This also exists as a still image as it was used locally.
  • A longer version exists, where the ripples appear on the background before the normal animation. This was used as a station ID.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A short piano sounder with waves crashing ashore. More often than not, it had the closing theme of the show playing over. The local version just had the waves with a female announcer saying "You're watching WEDU."

Audio Variant: A longer version with the notes being slowed down was used as a station ID.

Availability: Can be spotted on PBS airings of The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon and John Tesh Live. The 1st season of The Huggabug Club has this logo as well.

4th ID (1995-2003)


Visuals: There is the logo featured in the previous logo, but from a rightward angle, and set against a white-blue gradient background over light blue-colored water, with little ripples under the logo, which shine a bit. Also, the logo is made out of glass.

Variants:

  • There is a version with "A" on top and "Production" on the bottom.
  • Just like with KQED, MPT, and WGBH, a longer version exists as a station ID. It starts with a shot of the water and "WEDU" rising up, creating the ripples. It then turns into its rightward position as the camera pans up from the water, and "Tampa-St. Petersburg" fades in below.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Same as previous, but with just the waves. The bumper uses a droning synth note, though.

Availability: Appeared on original versions of The Reppies, Swamp Critters of the Lost Lagoon, and The Huggabug Club.

5th ID (2003-)


Visuals:

  • 2003-20?? (SD):
    • Opening: Same as the 2002 PBS logo, but then it flashes, and the PBS logo turns into a transparent glass version as it scrolls to the right, revealing "WEDU", which is in the same design as the 1993 and 1996 logos. Then everything moves into place and "SPECIAL PRESENTATION" fades in above the logo, and "TAMPA · ST. PETERSBURG · SARASOTA" flashes in one at a time below. The whole thing remains shining, until it blurs out.
    • Closing: Same as the opening, but shortened. Also, all the above and below text fades in at the same time, and "SPECIAL PRESENTATION" is replaced with "A PRODUCTION OF".
  • 2000s-(HD):
    • Opening: Same as the earlier version, but superimposed over a sky with the PBS color schemes. The P-Head silhouettes from the 2002 CPB logo are visible, but at a low opacity. There is the PBS logo, which does not turn into glass and remains indigo. "SPECIAL PRESENTATION", in gold, fades in above, and below, "PRODUCED AND BROADCAST IN" fades in as well. Below that is "HIGH DEFINITION", colored silver, spreading out in a transparent ribbon. Below all this is "TAMPA ST. PETERSBURG SARASOTA", colored gold, wiping in from the right. "WEDU" is colored white with a transparent outline. The logo shines, and completely fades out, without blurs.
    • Closing: Same as the opening, but shortened and "SPECIAL PRESENTATION" is replaced with "A PRODUCTION OF".

Variants:

  • One variant appeared at the end that has the opening, but cut to where the words flash.
  • Another variant had "HIGH DEFINITION" missing and "TAMPA ST. PETERSBURG SARASOTA", in silver, taking its place in the ribbon.

Technique: Same as the 2002 PBS logo, but extended.

Audio:

  • 2003-20?? (SD):
    • Opening: Same as the 2002 PBS logo, but extended, plus a cymbal sound is heard halfway. An announcer says "The following is a special presentation of WEDU-Tampa - Saint Petersburg - Sarasota."
    • Closing: Same as the opening, but cut to the other half, with that same cymbal sound heard first. There is no announcer.
  • 2000s-(HD):
    • Opening: A rearranged version of the tune, with an announcer saying "This special presentation was produced in high definition by WEDU-Tampa - Saint Petersburg - Sarasota."
    • Closing: Same as the opening, but cut to the other half, without announcer.

Audio Variants:

  • The cut opening variant has the closing tune play before the logo begins.
  • For the other variant, the announcer has the same spiel as the SD version.

Availability: Appears on their programming when re-run, and on DVD and VHS.


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