During the time that we were brainstorming ideas internally for DIY Movie Making month, a link to this video gem got circulated. It brought back so many memories of the beginnings of HBO and this amazing opening sequence. I’ve always had a special soft spot in my heart for miniatures and model-making of all sorts. And this opening was sort of a model-maker’s paradise, as this making-of video will attest. Who knew that the flying H-B-O where physical models? [Thanks, Lish Dorset!]
4 thoughts on “Making of the classic 1980s HBO intro”
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I remember seeing this in ’82 or ’83, specifically the part about the “stargate” effect. I’ve actually used a variation of this same effect (digitally) in some of my motion graphics. It was watching these “making of” documentaries as a kid that really inspired me to be a maker!
I figured the letters were physical, but I had no idea that the streaks around the outside were, too. I always figured they were animated in post.
These ‘making of’ shorts and Discovery’s ‘Movie Magic’ were some of my must-watch favorites.
One of the bad things that came from DVDs is that shows like this disappeared – they’re now only DVD extras.