Mainframe Studios
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Website | https://www.mainframe.ca |
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Mainframe Studios is a Canadian animation company owned by Wow Unlimited Media and based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Founded in 1993 as Mainframe Entertainment Inc. by Christopher Brough, Ian Pearson, Phil Mitchell, Gavin Blair and John Grace, the company established itself as a leading contributor to the introduction of computer-generated imagery (CGI) live action in animation, film and television.
The company previously operated as a subsidiary of
The company is best known for the production of the first fully
History
As Mainframe Entertainment
The company was established in 1993 as Mainframe Entertainment Inc. by Christopher Brough, a noted
In 1994, ReBoot launched on
Mainframe became a
Mainframe opened its American division in Los Angeles on 17 April 1998 to be led by Dan DiDio and oversee content development, production and local distribution.[8] DiDio previously worked with Mainframe through his stint as executive director of children's programming at ABC.
After having earlier produced two ReBoot themed rides for the company, the
At the end of the 1999 fiscal year, the company reported a $17 million loss.
In 2001, American toy maker
Following financial losses of $18.9 million and $7.5 million in fiscal 2002 and 2003, the American
After producing the visuals for the 2003 MTV Movie Awards, Mainframe started a creative services division to produce video game animation, graphic design, motion graphics, titling, show opening sequences and branding in 2005.[27][28] This branch of the company worked on a number of projects, including cut-scenes for Prototype, 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand and Ghostbusters: The Video Game, as well as the 2006 MTV Movie Awards.[29]
As Rainmaker
Finding itself under new ownership, IDT sold its 62% stake in Mainframe to Vancouver-based post-production firm Rainmaker Income Fund on 20 July 2006 for $13.8 million.
In June 2012, Chinese animation studio Xing Xing Digital announced its intent to purchase Rainmaker, with the company willing to pay off Rainmaker's $7 million debt.[35] The purchase was called off after Rainmaker and Xing Xing were unable to finalize the sale by September 14, 2012.[36]
In 2013, Rainmaker completed its first theatrical feature film,
Rainmaker released its second theatrical feature film,
Later that year on 25 October, Rainmaker announced their intent to
As Mainframe Studios
On 16 March 2020, the studio announced it would be rebranding as Mainframe Studios and consolidate Rainmaker Studios under the "Mainframe" branding and fully returning the studio to their original "Mainframe" name.[45][46] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mainframe Studios initiated remote work measures for its employees.[47]
On 24 June 2021, the company confirmed that it would develop a 2D-animation pipeline in support of its first production in the medium, an animated series inspired by
Productions list
Television series/shows
Title | Years | Network | Co-production with | Notes |
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as Mainframe Entertainment | ||||
ReBoot | 1994–2002 |
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||
Beast Wars: Transformers | 1996–1999 |
|
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Based on the Hasbro toyline and the sequel to The Transformers. |
Shadow Raiders | 1998–1999 |
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Alliance Atlantis | Based on the Trendmasters toyline War Planets. |
Weird-Ohs | 1999–2000 |
|
|
Based on the Hawk Company toyline. |
Beast Machines: Transformers |
|
Hasbro | Based on the Hasbro toyline and the sequel to Beast Wars: Transformers. | |
Action Man | 2000–2001 |
|
Based on the Hasbro toyline. | |
Heavy Gear: The Animated Series | 2001–2002 | Syndication | Based on the video game published by Dream Pod 9 and licensed by Paradox Entertainment. | |
Max Steel | Cartoon Network |
|
Season 3 only. Based on the Mattel toyline. | |
Spider-Man: The New Animated Series | 2003 | MTV |
|
Based on the characters by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. |
Zixx | 2005–2009 | YTV |
|
Seasons 2–3 only. Originally produced as Mainframe Entertainment in season 2, then Rainmaker Animation/Entertainment in season 3. |
as Mainframe Studios | ||||
Bob the Builder (2015) | 2015–2017 | Channel 5 |
|
Animation services; Series 1–2 only. DHX Media took over for the final series. |
ReBoot: The Guardian Code | 2018 |
|
|
Reimagined series based on ReBoot. |
Spy Kids: Mission Critical | Netflix | Dimension Television | Based on the Spy Kids franchise.[49]
| |
Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures | 2018–2020 | Mattel Television | Based on the Mattel toyline. | |
Octonauts | 2019–2021 | CBeebies | Silvergate Media | Based on the books by Meomi. Season 5 only.[50] |
Madagascar: A Little Wild | 2020–2022 | DreamWorks Animation Television | Based on the Madagascar franchise. Animation services.[50][51] | |
The Guava Juice Show | 2021–present | YouTube | Studio71 |
First 2D animated series produced by the studio.[48][52] |
Octonauts: Above & Beyond | Netflix | Silvergate Media | Based on the books by Meomi and sequel to Octonauts. | |
Barbie: It Takes Two | 2022 | Mattel Television | Based on the Mattel toyline and the TV series follow-up to the 2021 film Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams.[53][54] | |
Team Zenko Go | DreamWorks Animation Television | Based on the books by Chris Tougas.[55] | ||
Barbie: A Touch of Magic | 2023–present | Mattel Television | Based on the Mattel toyline.[56] | |
Unicorn Academy | Spin Master Entertainment | Animation services. Based on the books by Julia Sykes. | ||
SuperKitties | 2024–present | Disney Junior | Animation production; Season 2–present. | |
JumpScare | TBA | TBA |
|
[57] |
Made by Maddie | Unaired[58] | Nickelodeon | Silvergate Media | [50] |
Films/movies
Features/cinematic/theatrical:
Title | Release Date | Note |
---|---|---|
Escape from Planet Earth | February 15, 2013 | |
Ratchet & Clank | April 29, 2016 | Based on the eponymous video game series by Insomniac Games. |
Television:
Title | Release Date | Notes |
---|---|---|
as Mainframe Entertainment | ||
Scary Godmother: Halloween Spooktakular | October 26, 2003 | |
Popeye's Voyage: The Quest for Pappy | November 9, 2004 | |
Hot Wheels: AcceleRacers – Ignition | January 8, 2005 | |
Hot Wheels: AcceleRacers – The Speed of Silence | March 19, 2005 | |
Hot Wheels: AcceleRacers – Breaking Point | June 25, 2005 | |
Hot Wheels: AcceleRacers – The Ultimate Race | October 1, 2005 | |
Scary Godmother: The Revenge of Jimmy | October 25, 2005 | |
as Rainmaker Studios | ||
Barbie: Dolphin Magic |
September 17, 2017 | Debuted on YTV in Canada before its release in the United States on Netflix a day later. The only "Barbie" film under the Rainmaker Studios banner. |
Elliot the Littlest Reindeer | November 30, 2018 | Produced in collaboration with Awesometown Entertainment. |
as Mainframe Studios | ||
Barbie: Princess Adventure | September 1, 2020 | Released on Netflix The first film under the unified Mainframe Studios name. |
Barbie & Chelsea: The Lost Birthday | April 16, 2021 | Released on Netflix |
Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams | September 1, 2021 | |
Barbie: Mermaid Power | September 1, 2022 | |
Barbie: Epic Road Trip | October 25, 2022 | Released on Netflix Interactive film |
Barbie: Skipper and the Big Babysitting Adventure | March 16, 2023 | Released on Netflix |
Direct-to-video (DTV):
Title | Release Date | Notes |
---|---|---|
as Mainframe Entertainment | ||
Casper's Haunted Christmas | October 31, 2000 | |
Barbie in the Nutcracker | October 23, 2001 | |
Barbie as Rapunzel | October 1, 2002 | |
Hot Wheels: World Race | 2003 | |
Barbie of Swan Lake | September 30, 2003 | |
Max Steel: Endangered Species | 2004 | |
Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper | September 28, 2004 | |
Max Steel: Forces of Nature | 2005 | |
Barbie: Fairytopia | March 8, 2005 | |
Inspector Gadget's Biggest Caper Ever | June 17, 2005 | |
Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus | September 20, 2005 | |
Max Steel: Countdown | 2006 | |
Arthur's Missing Pal |
2006 | |
Barbie: Mermaidia | March 14, 2006 | |
Tony Hawk in Boom Boom Sabotage | September 12, 2006 | |
Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses | September 19, 2006 | |
Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow | March 13, 2007 | The last film under the name of Mainframe Entertainment. |
as Rainmaker Animation | ||
Barbie as the Island Princess | September 18, 2007 | The only "Barbie" film under the name of Rainmaker Animation. |
Max Steel: Dark Rival | October 2007 | |
as Rainmaker Entertainment | ||
Barbie: Mariposa & Her Butterfly Fairy Friends | February 26, 2008 | First production under the "Rainmaker Entertainment" name following the merger with and the fold-up of Rainmaker Digital Effects. |
Barbie & the Diamond Castle | September 9, 2008 | |
Max Steel: Bio Crisis | October 2008 | |
Barbie in A Christmas Carol |
November 4, 2008 | |
The Nutty Professor | November 25, 2008 | Co-production with The Weinstein Company[59] |
Max Steel vs. The Mutant Menace | 2009 | |
Barbie: Thumbelina | March 17, 2009 | |
Barbie and the Three Musketeers | September 15, 2009 | |
Barbie in A Mermaid Tale |
March 2, 2010 | |
Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale | September 14, 2010 | |
Max Steel vs. The Toxic Legion | 2010 | |
Barbie: A Fairy Secret | March 15, 2011 | |
Max Steel: Makino's Revenge | 2011 | |
Barbie: Princess Charm School | September 13, 2011 | |
Barbie in A Mermaid Tale 2 |
February 27, 2012 | |
Barbie: The Princess and the Popstar |
September 11, 2012 | |
Max Steel: Monstrous Alliance | 2012 | |
Barbie: Mariposa & The Fairy Princess | August 27, 2013 | |
Barbie: The Pearl Princess | February 15, 2014 | |
Barbie and the Secret Door | August 7, 2014 | |
Barbie in Princess Power | February 26, 2015 | |
Barbie in Rock 'N Royals | August 13, 2015 | |
Barbie: Spy Squad | January 15, 2016 | The last production under the "Mattel Playground Productions" division of Mattel before its fold-up into Mattel Creations. |
Barbie and Her Sisters In A Puppy Chase | October 18, 2016 | Additional animation and post-production. |
Barbie: Video Game Hero |
January 31, 2017 | The last film under the "Rainmaker Entertainment" banner. |
Other credits
- 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (video game trailer)
- Ghostbusters: The Video Game[60] (Pre-rendered cut scenes)
- Ghost Hunter Dax[citation needed]
- Good Boy! (CG effects)[citation needed]
- Harriet the Spy[citation needed]
- Legion of 5[61]
- Luna, Chip & Inkie in The Festival of Wishes[44]
- The Outer Limits (1995-2001) (CG effects)[citation needed]
- 2003 MTV Movie Awards[62]
- 2006 MTV Movie Awards[63]
- Prototype (video game trailer)[citation needed]
- WET (video game trailer)[citation needed]
- Ratchet & Clank: Life of Pie (2021)[64]
- Ready2Robot (web-series)[citation needed]
- Stargate SG-1 (1997-2007) (CG effects)[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ "Rainmaker Entertainment Names Michael Hefferon President". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
- ^ a b "WOW!'S Mainframe Studios Establishes Eastern Canadian Presence with New Toronto-Based Virtual Studio" (Press release). Vancouver: Wow Unlimited Media. GlobeNewswire. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ Bakel, Rogier Van (March 1, 1997). "Before Toy Story there was ... ReBoot". Wired. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
- ^ "Vancouver-Based Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. Reduces Alliance Communication Corporation's Interest in Firm". 23 September 1996. Archived from the original on 16 August 2000. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. Completes Initial Public Offering". Mainframe Entertainment. 17 June 1997. Archived from the original on 16 August 2000. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ "Mainframe Entertainment Corporate". Mainframe Entertainment. Archived from the original on 13 October 1999. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. Announces Fiscal 1998 Year End Results". Mainframe Entertainment. 24 July 1998. Archived from the original on 16 August 2000. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ "Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. Appoints L.A.-based Creative V.P." Mainframe Entertainment (Press release). 17 April 1998. Archived from the original on 16 August 2000. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ Olsen, Eric (March 3, 1999). "Imax in Mainframe's picture". Variety. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
- ^ "Mainframe travels with IMAX". Animation World Network. 25 September 1998. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. Announces Fiscal 1999 Year End Results". Mainframe Entertainment. July 26, 1999. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ "Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2000 Results". July 5, 2000. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
- ^ "Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. Announces Best Year Ever for Fiscal 2001". Mainframe Entertainment. July 9, 2001. Archived from the original on July 20, 2001. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
- ^ Johnson, Debra (June 6, 2001). "Mainframe ceo steps down to take creative role". C21 Media. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
- Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. November 1, 2001. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
- Penske Media. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
- Nielsen Business Media. August 3, 2002. p. 63.
- ^ Edwards, Ian (September 1, 2003). "Mainframe's revenue drops 34% in '03". Playback. Brunico Communications. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
- ^ Edwards, Ian (September 29, 2003). "Mainframe sells majority ownership". Playback. Brunico Communications. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
- ^ Kuzmyk, Jenn (June 13, 2003). "UK pick-up for new Mainframe toon". C21 Media. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ Dillon, Mark (February 14, 2005). "Spinning towards feature film FX". Playback. Brunico Communications. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ Godfrey, Leigh (January 7, 2003). "Mainframe Lands At NATPE With Two New Properties". Animation World Network. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ Ball, Ryan (August 28, 2003). "Silver Lining, Mainframe Make Big Plans for Small and Friends". Animation Magazine. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ DeMott, Rick (March 11, 2004). "MIP-TV News: Mainframe Sails into MIP-TV with Popeye and Others". Animation World Network. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ Demott, Rick (September 21, 2004). "Mainframe & Protocol Team On Live-Action Harriet The Spy". Animation World Network. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- Thunderbird Films. January 9, 2005. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ "Mainframe Animates MTV Movie Awards". Animation Magazine. May 21, 2003. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
- Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. November 1, 2005. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ "Mainframe Ent. Scores 2006 MTV Movie Awards Animation". Animation World Network. May 25, 2006. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
- ^ "Rainmaker to Acquire Mainframe Entertainment, a World Leader in CG Animation; Acquisition Will Create Canada's Largest Animation and Visual Effects Company" (Press release). Vancouver: Rainmaker Income Fund. 20 July 2006. Retrieved April 22, 2018 – via Business Wire.
- ^ Beiks, Ilona (August 7, 2006). "Rainmaker looks to rule CG with Mainframe pickup". Playback. Brunico Communications. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ "Rainmaker and Mainframe Enter Into Agreement for Rainmaker to Acquire Balance of Mainframe Shares" (Press release). Vancouver: Rainmaker Income Fund. August 30, 2006. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ "Rainmaker Announces New Animation Division" (Press release). Vancouver: Rainmaker Entertainment. January 30, 2007. Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ "Rainmaker sells to Deluxe". Playback. Brunico Communications. November 29, 2007. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ Brodsky, Katherine (June 27, 2012). "China's Xing Xing takes on Rainmaker". Variety. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (17 September 2012). "Canadian Animation Studio Ditches Takeover by China's Xing Xing Digital". The Hollywood Reporter. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ Wolfe, Jennifer (7 October 2013). "Rainmaker Launches TV Division". Animation World Network. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
- ^ McLean, Tom (6 April 2014). "Mainframe to Animate HIT's New 'Bob' Series". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
- ^ "Rainmaker Entertainment Provides Financial Update With Respect to Ratchet & Clank Domestic Release". Marketwired. 5 May 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
- ^ Amidi, Amid (9 May 2016). "'Ratchet & Clank"s Dreadful Second Weekend Raises Questions About 'Sly Cooper' Feature". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ Paul, Jonathan (21 September 2016). "The indie animated features battleground". Playback. Brunico Communications. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ "Rainmaker exits Sly Cooper movie". ToonBarn. 7 December 2017. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ^ Wolfe, Jennifer (26 October 2016). "Rainmaker Entertainment Acquires Frederator, Rebranding As WOW!". Animation World Network. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ a b Milligan, Mercedes (11 September 2019). "Knowledge Network's 'Luna, Chip & Inkie' Star in Musical Special". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
- ^ "Mainframe Studios: Returning to Our Roots" (Press release). Mainframe Studios. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (28 April 2020). "WOW!'s Rainmaker Consolidates Under Mainframe Studios Banner". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (8 April 2020). "How Future-Proof Planning Enabled Mainframe Studios Pivot to WFH". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ a b "Mainframe Expands into 2D Series Production" (Press release). Vancouver: Wow Unlimited Media. GlobeNewswire. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
- ^ Pinto, Jordan (24 March 2017). "Wow! Unlimited inks deal with Weinstein Co, Netflix". Playback. Brunico Communications. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ a b c "WOW Unlimited Media Announces Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2020" (Press release). Vancouver: Wow Unlimited Media. GlobeNewswire. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
- ^ "Madagascar: A Little Wild". Mainframe Studios. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ Morgan, Stephanie (February 14, 2022). "The Guava Juice Show Review". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on April 29, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (5 April 2022). "Drumroll Please: Bright Lights & Big City Dreams Await in 'Barbie: It Takes Two'". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ComingSoon.net. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (17 February 2022). "Trailer: DreamWorks' 'Team Zenko Go' Takes Good Deeds to the Extreme on Netflix". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
- ^ Grossman, Samantha (25 August 2023). "New Series 'Barbie: A Touch of Magic' Coming to Netflix in September". mxdwn Television. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (29 September 2020). "Scholastic Ent. & Mainframe Team for Chilling Animated Series 'JumpScare'". Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ Petski, Denise (September 4, 2020). "'Made By Maddie' Pulled By Nickelodeon Amid 'Hair Love' Controversy". Deadline. Deadline Publications Ltd. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ Mainframe Entertainment and the Weinstein Company Team Up for CG Animated The Nutty Professor
- ^ "Work - Ghostbusters". Rainmaker. Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
- ^ Vancouver Sun - Vancouver-based Rainmaker Animation strikes movie deal Archived March 15, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Mainframe Adds Superhero Feel to 2003 MTV Movie Awards". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
- ^ Ball, Ryan (2006-05-24). "Mainframe Animates MTV Movie Awards". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
- ^ Kim, Matt (February 12, 2021). "New Ratchet and Clank Animated Short Is Unrelated to PS5's Rift Apart". IGN. Retrieved February 13, 2021.