Beacon Pictures

Background : Beacon Pictures (originally known as "Beacon Communications, LLC") is a movie production company that was established in 1990 by Armyan Bernstein to produce movies for important Hollywood studios.

1st Logo (1991-1997, 2009- )

Nicknames : "Beacon Tower", "Dismembered City"

Logo : On a black background, we see several 1940's-like buildings, all arranged haphazardly and titled at various angles. A much taller building emerges from the center, as the rest of them align to become upright. The tallest one's top flashes and a beacon's light emerges from it, as a box draws itself around the buildings. "BEACON" zooms out and flashes under the box, then dims.

FX/SFX : The tilting buildings and beacon lighting, all in animation that's pretty cool for the time.

Music/Sounds : A rising synth note not unlike THX's Deep Note, followed by a "shining" sound effect when the beacon lights, then a piano chord. Sometimes, the opening theme of the movie is heard.

Availability : Rare. It's known to exist on Princess Caraboo, The Road to Wellville and The Baby-Sitter's Club, among others. Strangely, the still version of this logo is currently seen on the TV series Castle.

Scare Factor : Low to medium. The zoomed-up buildings and abrupt noise at the beginning may startle more than a few.

2nd Logo (1997-) Nickname : "Beacon Tower II"

Logo : On a black background, we see a white border with an animated city inside with some mountains. The tallest building's top flashes and a beacon light lights up on the building and then dims. The word "B E A C O N" zooms out and is placed under the box, then flashes. The word "PICTURES" fades underneath it.

Variants :
 * On Bring It On, the logo explodes when it finishes animating to reveal a cheer squad performing.
 * On Air Force One, a byline is underneath the logo saying "A Beacon Communications Group Company". Surprisingly other prints of the said film have a byline saying "An Ascene Entertainment Group Company".
 * On Uncle P., the logo becomes a drawing and "FAMILY FILMS" appears below "BEACON".
 * Usually, "PICTURES" doesn't appear.

FX/SFX : The building flashes. The word "B E A C O N" zooming out.

Music/Sounds : None. Sometimes the movie theme plays over this logo.

Availability : Pretty common. Appears on many movies including Raising Helen, Firewall, and The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep, among others.

Scary Factor : None.

Closing Variants

1st Logo (1990s-2000s) Logo : TBA

FX/SFX : TBA

Music/Sounds : The closing theme of movie.

Availability : Seen at the end of End of Days and For the Love of Game.

Scare Factor : None.

2nd Logo (2000's) Logo : There is a white rectangular box with "B E A C O N" written inside near the top. The solid beam comes from the O's center to the down left corner of the box.

Variant : On The Emperor's Club, the logo was negative.

Music/Sounds : Same as the 1st closing logo.

Availability : Uncommon, seen on Ladder 49. Many films have the still version of the regular opening logos.

Scare Factor : None.