Working Title Films

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum



Background

Working Title Films was founded in London in 1983 by producers Tim Bevan and Sarah Radclyffe. Some of their early films were released through Atlantic Releasing Corporation, Miramax Films and Orion Pictures (under the Orion Classics label). Starting in 1990, they would produce films for PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. Radclyffe would eventually leave the company in 1992 and was replaced with fellow independent producer Eric Fellner. In 1999, Working Title was taken over by Universal Pictures when Seagram bought and folded PolyGram. Today, both Bevan and Fellner are co-chairs of the company. Working Title Films didn't use a logo until the release of Panther in May 1995.



1st Logo (3 May 1995-25 May 2001)

Visuals: Against a black background is a circle. The words "WORKING TITLE" are seen cut in-between the circle. The word "FILMS" is seen curved on the bottom half of the circle. The byline "a PolyGram company" with "PolyGram" in the corporate font is seen below.

Variants:

  • On some films such as The Matchmaker and Billy Elliot, the circle is red.
  • A bylineless variant exists.
  • A variant that reads "W2" is known to exist.

Technique: A printed image created with traditional ink and paint.

Audio: None or the closing theme of the movie.

Availability: It's seen on pre-2001 films, superimposed over the the closing credits such as Fargo, Bean, The Borrowers, The Big Lebowski, and Elizabeth, among others.

2nd Logo (13 April 2001-)


Visuals: On a black background in a brown spot that expands, a blueprint draws a circle. The circle then splits and becomes several circles, which spin around like a gyroscope, until they merge into a single black ring. The brown spot becomes a dark blue spotlight and the words "WORKING TITLE" flip upwards in-between the ring.

Variant: In 2002, a brighter version was introduced.

Closing Variant: The print logo is used.

Technique: A mix of 2D animation and CGI by Brandt Animation.

Audio: None or the opening theme of the film.

Availability:

  • It debuted on Bridget Jones's Diary and can also be seen on Love Actually, Johnny English, Thunderbirds, Smokin' Aces, Mr. Bean's Holiday, Hot Fuzz, and Paul, among others.
  • The brighter version is seen on most post-2002 films since About a Boy, although the original version still appears on newer films such as Les Misérables.

3rd Logo (Alternate) (5 December 2008-)

Note: The print logo was shown on trailers and posters for their films since 2008, but it's also used as an alternate on-screen logo as well.

Visuals: On a black background is a partially seen circle with a break in the middle. The words "WORKING TITLE" are seen in-between the circle (like before). The "K" is connected to the circle.

Technique: A still digital graphic.

Audio: None.

Availability: Seen on trailers and posters for their films since December 2008, and first appeared superimposed into the end credits of State of Play. The previous logo is still used, and this featured one is generally relegated to the end.

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