West Video (Russia)

Background
West Video is a Russian independent distribution film company. It was founded in 1994. One of the first to produce licensed films on VHS and DVD, as well as on Blu-ray in HD-format. In 2015, a petition was filed with the court for declaring the company bankrupt. Next year, West Video was transferred into Krupny Plan.

1st Logo (1994-1995)
Logo : On a black background, parts of the background suddenly shatter and fall offscreen, revealing large pools of light in the shape of letters. The letters then rotate towards the screen and zoom out, revealing the bold letters "WEST", as they zoom out into a comfortable position. Below it, "VIDEO" blurs in red under the name, while an oval fades in around the name. At the bottom, "A DIVISION OF WEST COMPANY" fills up the bottom space. FX/SFX : The shattering, which just happens suddenly.

Music/Sounds : A large bang is heard, followed by glass dropping and a synth note.

Availability : Very rare. Seen on the first releases from them.

Editor's note : TBA

2nd Logo (1995-2000's)
Logo : We rotate around from a structure made of solid magma on a pedestal. As it rotates around, the structure is revealed to be "WEST", but in a different font, as searchlights shine around it and the text slowly turns gold. As it turns gold over the evening sky, a bright light shines behind it, clearly defining it. As it dies down, the word faces the camera and becomes orange as everything around it turns black and an orange oval appears around it, forming the logo. "REGISTERED TRADEMARK AND LOGO OF WEST LTD" is seen below. FX/SFX: The revolution, the bright flash, the transition.

Music/Sounds : A soft jungle theme that becomes a triumphant fanfare.

Availability : Uncommon, seen on VHS's at the time, but not on DVDs, as the next logo appears below.

Editor's Note : TBA

3rd Logo (2000's-2016)
Logo : Over the purple cloudy tunnel-like background, a 3D figure is created and glows blue; the background darkens. It is made of intersecting 3D words "WEST VIDEO" with large "W" lying on the top. A flash appears from behind once the logo is formed.

FX/SFX : The animation in the logo. Cheesy Facto r: The entire thing looks ugly, specifically the colors of the logo. The music also seems to be quite cheesy for the new millenium.

Music/Sounds : Early releases had a bombastic rock theme with 80s-style synths.

Availability : No longer current. Seen on VHS and early DVD releases in Russia.

Editor's Note :None.

4th Logo (2007-2016)
Logo : We see a dark blue starry background with a poorly-visible map of the world made of dots in cylindrical projection. Two glowing orange lines come in and swirl until they collide each other, forming a small West Video logo. The logo is made of gold, with a W attached to the top, and it slowly zooms, turning over upper side. The bright flash changes picture to large-3D W letter hanging in space. The letter rotates, and light plays on its sides twice. The letter then disappears and the close-up of the West logo proceeds, showing construction from the side in good quality. Finally the huge W zooms onto the logo, now shown from top. The logo moves to its usual isometric view. The byline "HIGH DEFINITION" unravels below and shines, but immediately turns into Russian translation "МАГИЯ ВЫСОКОЙ ЧЕТКОСТИ".

FX/SFX : Every bit of the animation made in great CGI. This logo looks better than it's regular counterpart, showing the capabilities of HD quality, and appears to be one of the best looking Russian home video logos made so far.

Music/Sounds : Presumably none.

Availability : Uncommon; can be seen on Blu-Rays released in Russia by West Video, until its end in 2016.

Editor's Note: None.

Final Note : Starting in 2016, West Video was bankrupted and folded to Krupny Plan.