Are you interested in finding out more about DreamWorks?
DreamWorks, also known as DreamWorks SKG, is an American film production label that is best known for its animation Shrek, which was released in 2011.
Since then, DreamWorks has released a large number of popular movies and television shows. This includes more than ten animated movies with box-office grosses of more than $100 million each.
So, let’s take an in-depth look and find out who owns DreamWorks and the story of this impressive company.
Quick Facts
DreamWorks SKG is a privately held company. It is run by four equal partners: David Geffen, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg, and Ronald L. Nelson. The company employs around 1,700 people in a range of different roles.
Company History
In 1994 Steven Spielberg joined forces with Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen to launch a new film studio. This collaboration between three of the biggest names in the entertainment industry created quite a stir. While Steven Spielberg is a legendary director, David Geffen is famous for his musical talent, and Jeffrey Katzenberg is a former Walt Disney executive.
Each of the partners invested their talents and financial resources into making DreamWorks SKG a success. Even so, more investment was needed, and it was three years before the company released its first movie. The Peacemaker was released in 1997 and was quickly followed by Amistad and Mouse Hunt.
Although expectations were high, these movies received tepid reception at the box office. DreamWorks achieved more success with its fourth movie Deep Impact, which was released in 1998. This movie told the epic tale of a comet that was about to collide with Earth and stirred the imagination of moviegoers.
Shrek
However, it is the animated movie Shrek that really put DreamWorks on the map. The movie, which was released in 2001, reimagined classic fairy tales in a modern and more adult way. The movie was an instant hit among people of all ages and has led to a string of sequels and spinoffs.
DreamWorks is also known for creating TV series and music. In both cases, it took time for these genres to gain a loyal following. However, recording artists like Randy Travis and George Michael helped the company gain recognition.
Company Influences
The demand from the American public for innovative feature-length animated films has helped to shape DreamWorks over the years. Jeffrey Katzenberg brings years of animation experience at Disney to help develop animated features. The first of these was The Prince of Egypt, which immediately gained recognition despite the fact that DreamWorks was a relatively new company.
They were also quick to embrace the growing market for products derived from popular movies. A large part of the company’s revenue comes from toys, t-shirts, collectibles, and other items. Through Jurassic Park, Spielberg and Katzenberg quickly recognized the revenue potential of spin-off products.
The Shrek franchise gave DreamWorks a large collection of instantly recognizable marketable characters. The company wasted no time in licensing a whole host of products based on these colorful images. This business model has helped the company to invest in more animated feature films that offer their own marketable value.
The DreamWorks Animation Logo
Like the company’s feature films, the DreamWorks logo is vibrant, detailed, and instantly recognizable. The logo shows a nighttime scene and features a crescent moon reflected in a pond. A fishing float splashes into the pond, and the camera pans up through clouds to show a boy sitting on the moon. The word Dreamworks appears in the clouds as the camera pans away, followed by SKG underneath.
The company’s animated logo clearly illustrates the commitment to building on its success and recognition. This animated logo is featured at the start of every feature film and other types of media. A simpler static version of a boy sitting on the crescent moon holding a fishing rod is used on printed media.
Steven Spielberg came up with the basic concept for the logo and insisted that it should be a CGI image. The original accompaniment was adapted from the track ‘Fairytale’ from Shrek in 2004. Two years later, John Powell composed the new fanfare, which was derived from the music he created for Shrek 2. Over the years, the logo has been temporarily adapted to create a stir for upcoming movies like How to Train Your Dragon.
The DreamWorks Vision
DreamWorks Animation is recognized around the world as a leader in high-quality family entertainment. The company tells uplifting tales about unconventional heroes and their dreams and the journeys they embark on to fulfill their dreams. These tales feature vibrant new worlds and interesting characters that stir the imagination of audiences.
Jeffrey Katzenberg has stated in interviews that the main concept behind DreamWorks is unique and distinct. The company has set itself apart from other studios by focusing on storytelling and utilizing cutting-edge technology. Each of the founding partners brings their unique skills and expertise to the mix to help shape a well-rounded enterprise.
The Campus
DreamWorks owns a 13-acre campus in Glendale, where 1,400 feature film and television employees are based. This includes talented animators, artists, engineers, and technologists. Having these employees live and work together leads to productive and innovative collaborations.
The Glendale campus has been established so that each element of a production can be realized there. This leads to a dynamic artistic culture that fosters the open exchange of ideas and creativity. The leadership team that oversees operations provides hands-on, creative experience.
Prominent Products
DreamWorks is best known for its live and animated motion pictures, music, television programs, and interactive entertainment software. The company has also created a wide range of products that connect to these main areas.
DreamWorks has also created joint ventures with other companies to help it diversify. This includes the development of interactive CD-ROMs with Microsoft, digital film recorders with Kodak, and computer-animated films with Pacific Data Images. The partnership agreement with Hasbro has also led to the production of a range of popular toys and games.
Iconic Characters
DreamWorks has used its knowledge and expertise to create a legion of loved and instantly recognizable characters. This began with Shrek, the grumpy yet lovable ogre, and his loudmouthed yet optimistic donkey sidekick. Other instantly recognizable characters include a martial arts obsessed panda, a business-minded baby, and a shy and charming Viking and his pet dragon.
Each of these characters is very well-defined and have traits that people of all ages can relate to. Because audiences connect with these characters, they want them to do well and follow their journeys in numerous sequels. While each character is different, it is instantly recognizable as belonging to DreamWorks.
Iconic Feature Films
DreamWorks is home to some of the most popular and beloved franchises in the world. These include Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, How to Train Your Dragon, Trolls, and The Boss Baby. Over the last 25 years, DreamWorks has released more than thirty impressive animated feature films, which has led to more than $15 billion in box office revenue.
Award-Winning Television
The company launched the DreamWorks Animation Television division in 2013. Since then, the company has released more than a thousand hours of original TV programming for family audiences. Some of the most popular series include She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Trollhunters, and The Boss Baby: Back in Business.
Innovative Technology
Part of the secret behind the company’s success is its use of technological innovation. This has helped the company to shape the industry and has raised the bar in terms of entertainment.
The use of innovative technology has earned DreamWorks eight Scientific Achievement Awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This includes the Sci-Tech Award in 2018 for Pre,o, which is the company’s industry-leading animation platform.
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And if you’re interested in getting to know all the great characters created by the Dreamworks studio, how about DreamWorks 10-Movie Collection [DVD], DreamWorks Ultimate Holiday Collection [Blu-ray], The Prince of Egypt [Blu-ray], or get yourself the Dreamworks Dragons, Toothless 14-inch Deluxe Plush Dragon, or the DreamWorks How to Train Your Dragon Toothless 3D Wood Puzzle & Model Figure Kit.
Final Thoughts
The story of DreamWorks clearly shows that it takes time and talent to create a successful brand. And it took the company a few years to develop a successful formula that would appeal to entertainment lovers. However, the success of Shrek showed what the public was looking for and how to move forward.
As for Who Owns DreamWorks today, the Amblin Entertainment company is the majority owner of DreamWorks and controls most of the company’s projects. However, the three original partners all play a major role in different aspects of the company. Each partner uses their unique talents and expertise to help guide the company and create new popular content.
All the very best with your Dreamworks job application.
