Mainframe Entertainment
Encyclopedia
Rainmaker Entertainment, Inc. (formerly Mainframe Entertainment Inc.) is a Canadian
computer animation
and design company based in Vancouver, British Columbia and Los Angeles, California
. It produces computer animation TV series and movies. They are best known for producing the first ever CGI animated series ReBoot
, as well as the acclaimed Transformers
spin-off Beast Wars
. In recent years they have also become known for producing most of the Barbie (film series)
for Mattel
.
Rainmaker Income Fund announced on August 29, 2006, that RNK Capital Limited Partnership would acquire the 38% of shares it didn't own by merging with Rainmaker Income Fund. After the merger, Rainmaker announced on January 31, 2007 that Mainframe Entertainment's name would be changed to Rainmaker Animation.
On 2007-11-29, Rainmaker Income Fund announced the sale of Rainmaker Visual Effects and Rainmaker Post to Deluxe Entertainment Services Group, leaving only the animation business.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
computer animation
Computer animation
Computer animation is the process used for generating animated images by using computer graphics. The more general term computer generated imagery encompasses both static scenes and dynamic images, while computer animation only refers to moving images....
and design company based in Vancouver, British Columbia and Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. It produces computer animation TV series and movies. They are best known for producing the first ever CGI animated series ReBoot
ReBoot
ReBoot is a Canadian CGI-animated action-adventure cartoon series that originally aired from 1994 to 2001. It was produced by Vancouver-based production company Mainframe Entertainment, Alliance Communications, BLT Productions and created by Gavin Blair, Ian Pearson, Phil Mitchell and John Grace,...
, as well as the acclaimed Transformers
Transformers
A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another by magnetic coupling.Transformer may also refer to:* ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, an Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet computer manufacturer by Asus...
spin-off Beast Wars
Beast Wars
Transformers: Beast Wars is a Transformers toyline released by Hasbro between 1995 and 2000, and a Daytime Emmy Award winning full-CG animated television series spawned by it that debuted in 1996...
. In recent years they have also become known for producing most of the Barbie (film series)
Barbie (film series)
Since her film debut in 1987 in Barbie and the Rockers: Out of this World, Barbie has been a virtual actress starring in several feature films and short films...
for Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
.
Rainmaker Income Fund announced on August 29, 2006, that RNK Capital Limited Partnership would acquire the 38% of shares it didn't own by merging with Rainmaker Income Fund. After the merger, Rainmaker announced on January 31, 2007 that Mainframe Entertainment's name would be changed to Rainmaker Animation.
On 2007-11-29, Rainmaker Income Fund announced the sale of Rainmaker Visual Effects and Rainmaker Post to Deluxe Entertainment Services Group, leaving only the animation business.
Mainframe era
- ReBootReBootReBoot is a Canadian CGI-animated action-adventure cartoon series that originally aired from 1994 to 2001. It was produced by Vancouver-based production company Mainframe Entertainment, Alliance Communications, BLT Productions and created by Gavin Blair, Ian Pearson, Phil Mitchell and John Grace,...
- Beast Wars: Transformers
- Shadow RaidersShadow RaidersShadow Raiders is an animated television series produced by Mainframe Entertainment that aired from 1998 to 1999. The show was loosely based on the Trendmasters toy line, War Planets. The original character designs were created by ReBoot designer, Brendan McCarthy...
/War Planets - Weird-Oh'sWeird-Oh'sWeird-Oh's was a short lived computer animated series that aired on Fox Family during the late '90s. It starred a cast of deformed characters and their misadventures in Weirdsville, a place just off Route 66. Among the cast of characters were 3 main characters named Digger, Eddie and Portia...
- Beast Machines: TransformersBeast MachinesBeast Machines is an animated television series produced by Mainframe Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures. Hasbro has the full distribution rights to the show as of 2011. It was a direct sequel to Beast Wars taking place within the continuity of the original Transformers series...
- Spider-ManSpider-Man: The New Animated SeriesSpider-Man: The New Animated Series is an animated series featuring the Marvel comic book superhero Spider-Man, which ran for one season, 13 episodes, starting on July 11, 2003...
- Action Man (not to be confused with the BKNBKNBohbot Kids Network was a syndicated animation block created and distributed by Bohbot Entertainment, an animation production company founded by Allen J...
series) - Heavy GearHeavy GearHeavy Gear is a game universe published since 1994 by Canadian publisher Dream Pod 9. It includes a tabletop tactical wargame, a role-playing game and a lesser known combat card game...
- Max Steel (season 3 episodes "Endangered Species", "Forces of Nature", "Countdown", and "Dark Rival")
- Scary GodmotherScary GodmotherScary Godmother is a series of children's books and comic books created by artist Jill Thompson and published by Sirius Entertainment in 1997.-Main:...
- Hot Wheels Highway 35 World Race
- Hot Wheels AcceleRacersHot Wheels AcceleRacersHot Wheels AcceleRacers is an animated series of movies by Mattel. It is computer-animated, produced by Mainframe Entertainment out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, which also produced ReBoot and distributed by Warner Bros...
- Casper's Haunted ChristmasCasper's Haunted ChristmasCasper's Haunted Christmas is a 2000 direct-to-video film produced by Harvey Comics and Mainframe Entertainment and released by Universal Pictures on October 31, 2000. Unlike its direct-to-video predecessors, this video was completely computer animated. It stars Brendan Ryan Barrett as the voice of...
- several BarbieBarbieBarbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the American toy-company Mattel, Inc. and launched in March 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration....
fairy taleFairy taleA fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features such folkloric characters, such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments. However, only a small number of the stories refer to fairies...
movies (continuing into the Rainmaker era):- Barbie in the NutcrackerBarbie in the NutcrackerBarbie in the Nutcracker is a 2001 computer animated and motion capture-based direct-to-video Barbie film directed by Owen Hurley. It was the first Barbie film since 1987's Barbie and the Rockers: Out of this World...
- Barbie as RapunzelBarbie as RapunzelBarbie as Rapunzel is a 2002 direct-to-video Barbie film directed by Owen Hurley. It is the second in the Barbie film series of computer animated Barbie films, and features the voice of Kelly Sheridan as Barbie...
- Barbie of Swan LakeBarbie of Swan LakeBarbie of Swan Lake is a 2003 direct-to-DVD Barbie movie directed by Owen Hurley. It is the third computer animated movie of Barbie film series. Barbie and Odette is voiced by Kelly Sheridan. The story is an adaptation from "Swan Lake".-Plot:...
- Barbie as the Princess and the PauperBarbie as the Princess and the PauperBarbie as the Princess and the Pauper is a 2004 direct-to-video computer animated Barbie film, and the first musical in the Barbie film series. It is directed by William Lau and stars the voice of Kelly Sheridan, who has been voicing Barbie in all the CGI films to date, as both Anneliese and Erika...
- Barbie: FairytopiaBarbie: FairytopiaBarbie: Fairytopia is a 2005 computer animated direct-to-video Barbie film directed by Walter P. Martishius and Will Lau. This film is the fifth in the Barbie film series of computer-animated Barbie films, and the first to have an original storyline not based on previous material...
- Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus
- Barbie: MermaidiaBarbie: MermaidiaBarbie: Mermaidia is a 2006 direct-to-video Barbie film directed by Walter P. Martishius and William Lau, and produced by Mainframe Entertainment. It is seventh in the Barbie film series of computer-animated Barbie films, and a direct sequel to Barbie: Fairytopia...
- Barbie in the 12 Dancing PrincessesBarbie in the 12 Dancing PrincessesBarbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses is a 2006 direct-to-video computer animated Barbie film directed by Greg Richardson and loosely based on the fairytale "The Twelve Dancing Princesses". It is part of the Barbie film series and features the voice of Kelly Sheridan as the Barbie protagonist. This...
- Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow
- Barbie as the Island PrincessBarbie as the Island PrincessBarbie as the Island Princess is a 2007 direct-to-video computer animated Barbie film. It is part of the Barbie film series, a series of CGI Barbie films, the second to be a musical, and the first movie of Barbie animated under the name of Rainmaker Animation though it was animated by the old...
- Barbie in the Nutcracker
- Popeye's Voyage: The Quest for PappyPopeye's Voyage: The Quest for PappyPopeye's Voyage: The Quest for Pappy is a 2004 computer-animated direct-to-video film produced by Mainframe Entertainment for Lions Gate Entertainment...
- the 1985 music videoMusic videoA music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "Money for NothingMoney for Nothing (song)"Money for Nothing" is a single by British rock band Dire Straits, taken from their 1985 album Brothers in Arms. It was one of Dire Straits' most successful singles, peaking at number one for three weeks in the United States, and it also reached number one for three weeks on the U.S. Mainstream...
", a song by Dire StraitsDire StraitsDire Straits were a British rock band active from 1977 to 1995, composed of Mark Knopfler , his younger brother David Knopfler , John Illsley , and Pick Withers .Dire Straits' sound drew from a variety of musical influences, including jazz, folk, blues, and came closest...
(prior to Mainframe's founding proper) that won an MTV Video Music Award - Stuart Little 3: Call of the WildStuart Little 3: Call of the WildStuart Little 3: Call of the Wild is a 2006 direct-to-video film directed by Audu Paden, created by Mainframe Animation and distributed by Columbia Pictures. It was released on DVD in other countries in 2005, till it eventually got released in North America on February 21, 2006...
- Inspector Gadget's Biggest Caper Ever: The Case Of The Giant Flying LizardInspector Gadget spinoff incarnationsSince the cancellation of the original DiC animated television series, Inspector Gadget, in 1986, there have been many spin-offs based on the show.-Inspector Gadget Saves Christmas:...
- ZixxZixxZixx is a Canadian television series that airs on YTV. This series was developed by Savi Media and The Nightingale Company with YTV Original Productions...
series (Levels One and Two) - Tony Hawk in Boom Boom SabotageTony Hawk in Boom Boom SabotageTony Hawk in Boom Boom Sabotage is a computer-animated feature-length film starring Tony Hawk produced by Mainframe Entertainment. FUNimation Entertainment distributed the movie in USA and Japan, while Alliance Atlantis distributed it in Canada...
- Arthur's Missing Pal
- 2003 MTV Movie AwardsMTV Movie AwardsThe MTV Movie Awards is a film awards show presented annually on MTV . It also contains movie parodies that used official movie footage with hosts and other celebrities and music performances. The nominees are decided by producers and executives at MTV. Winners are decided online by the general...
- 2006 MTV Movie AwardsMTV Movie AwardsThe MTV Movie Awards is a film awards show presented annually on MTV . It also contains movie parodies that used official movie footage with hosts and other celebrities and music performances. The nominees are decided by producers and executives at MTV. Winners are decided online by the general...
- Atomic Puppet
- Harriet the SpyHarriet the SpyHarriet the Spy is a children's novel by Louise Fitzhugh published in 1964. It won the Sequoyah Book Award and the New York Times Outstanding Book Award in 1964.-Plot summary:...
- Ghost Hunter Dax
Cancelled
- Aliens The Series
- Binomes
- Dot's Bots
- Tony Hawk's Feasters
- Beat FreaksBeat FreaksBeat Freaks is an all-female breaking dance crew from Los Angeles, California. Each of its nine members had achieved individual success dancing before the creation of the group in 2003. The Beat Freaks were featured on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew and finished the show as runners-up.- Overview...
/Delores Deadhead - Moonsurfers
Rainmaker era
| Title | Release Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Barbie as the Island Princess Barbie as the Island Princess Barbie as the Island Princess is a 2007 direct-to-video computer animated Barbie film. It is part of the Barbie film series, a series of CGI Barbie films, the second to be a musical, and the first movie of Barbie animated under the name of Rainmaker Animation though it was animated by the old... |
September 18, 2007 | animated by former Mainframe animators but under the name of Ranimaker Animation |
| Barbie and the Diamond Castle Barbie and the Diamond Castle Barbie and the Diamond Castle is a 2008 direct-to-video computer-animated film that was released on September 9, 2008. The film features the voice of Kelly Sheridan, who has voiced the Barbie protagonist in the CGI Barbie film series... |
September 9, 2008 | |
| The Nutty Professor The Nutty Professor (2008 film) The Nutty Professor is a 2008 computer-animated sequel to the 1963 Jerry Lewis comedy of the same name, produced by The Weinstein Company & Rainmaker Entertainment for Genius Products, LLC. Lewis reprises his role of Julius Kelp and produces the film. Drake Bell plays the voice of Harold Kelp,... |
November 25, 2008 | |
| Barbie Thumbelina Barbie Thumbelina Barbie Thumbelina, or Barbie Presents: Thumbelina, is a 2009 Barbie film directed by Conrad Helten. It is the fifteenth in the series of Barbie animated films, and features the voice of Kelly Sheridan as Barbie... |
March 17, 2009 | |
| Barbie and the Three Musketeers Barbie and the Three Musketeers Barbie and the Three Musketeers is a 2009 computer animated direct-to-video film and part of the CGI Barbie film series. It was released on DVD on September 15, 2009.-Plot:... |
September 15, 2009 | |
| Barbie in A Mermaid Tale Barbie in A Mermaid Tale Barbie in A Mermaid Tale is a computer animated direct-to-video movie and part of the Barbie film series. It was released on March 9, 2010. This is Kelly Sheridan's last film as Barbie.-Plot:... |
March 9, 2010 | |
| Barbie: A Fashion Fairy Tale Barbie: A Fashion Fairy Tale Barbie: A Fashion Fairy Tale is a computer animated direct-to-video movie and part of the Barbie film series. It was released on September 14, 2010... |
September 14, 2010 |
- Escape from Planet EarthEscape from Planet Earth-Development:The film was first announced in a press release from The Weinstein Company, which announced that the film was in full production and also announced most of the cast....
- WETWet (video game)Wet is a 2009 third-person shooter action video game, developed by Artificial Mind and Movement and published by Bethesda Softworks for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 video game consoles. The game puts heavy emphasis on killing a large number of opponents while engaging in stylish acrobatic moves...
(video game trailer) - PrototypePrototype (video game)Prototype is an open world action video game developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Activision. The game was released in North America on June 9, 2009, and in southwestern parts of North America as well as Oceania on June 10, and was released in Europe on June 12.The game is set in New...
(video game trailer) - Barbie MariposaBarbie MariposaBarbie Mariposa is a 2008 direct to video computer animated Barbie film which was released on February 26, 2008. This film is a part of the Barbie "Fairytopia" series, but is not a canon sequel to the previous films...
and Her Butterfly Fairy Friends - 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand50 Cent: Blood on the Sand50 Cent: Blood on the Sand is a third-person shooting video game developed by Swordfish Studios and published by THQ for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game was released on February 20, 2009, in Europe and February 24, 2009, in North America and serves as the sequel to 50 Cent:...
(video game trailer) - Legion of 5
- Barbie in a Christmas Carol
- Ghostbusters: The Video GameGhostbusters: The Video GameGhostbusters: The Video Game is a 2009 cross-platform action game based on the Ghostbusters film franchise. Terminal Reality developed the Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 versions, while Red Fly Studio developed the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Wii versions, and Zen Studios...
(Pre-rendered cut scenes)
Works outsourced from DisneyToon Studios
- Mickey's Twice Upon a ChristmasMickey's Twice Upon a ChristmasMickey's Twice Upon a Christmas is a computer-animated direct-to-video movie on VHS and DVD made by The Walt Disney Company in 2004. It is the sequel to Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas from 1999. The segments in this video feature Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, Max, Donald Duck, Daisy...
- Mickey Mouse ClubhouseMickey Mouse ClubhouseMickey Mouse Clubhouse is a children's television series, that premiered in prime time on Disney Channel on May 5, 2006. The program was originally part of the Playhouse Disney daily block intended for preschoolers...
- My Friends Tigger & PoohMy Friends Tigger & PoohMy Friends Tigger & Pooh is a computer animated television series, inspired by Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne. The television series features Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends, including two new characters: a brave 6-year-old red-headed girl named Darby and her dog Buster...
- Tinker BellTinker Bell (film)Tinker Bell is a 2008 computer animated film based on the Disney Fairies franchise produced by DisneyToon Studios. It revolves around Tinker Bell, a fairy character created by J. M. Barrie in his play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, and featured in the 1953 Disney animated film, Peter...
- Tinker Bell and the Lost TreasureTinker Bell and the Lost TreasureTinker Bell and the Lost Treasure is a 2009 computer animated film based on the Disney Fairies franchise, produced by DisneyToon Studios, and a Chapter Book, "Tink, North of Neverland". It is a sequel to the 2008 film, Tinker Bell, and revolves around Tinker Bell, a fairy character created by J. M...
- Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy RescueTinker Bell and the Great Fairy RescueTinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue is an computer animated film based on the Disney Fairies franchise, produced by DisneyToon Studios. It is the sequel to the 2009 film, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure and revolves around Tinker Bell, a fairy character created by J. M...