Editing Mainframe Studios (section)

===As Mainframe Entertainment===
The company was established in 1993 as '''Mainframe Entertainment Inc.''' by Christopher Brough, a noted [[Los Angeles]]-based animation producer and a British animation team known as "The Hub" – Gavin Blair, Ian Pearson, Phil Mitchell and John Grace. They were looking to create ''[[ReBoot]]'', the first fully [[computer-animated]] television series, after having used the technology to produce music videos like ''[[Money for Nothing (song)|Money for Nothing]]'' and ''[[Let's Get Rocked]]''. Due to the cost of shipping equipment back home, advantageous tax credits and proximity to Los Angeles, the company set up shop in [[Vancouver, Canada]].<ref name="wired">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/1997/03/reboot-3/|title=Before Toy Story there was ... ReBoot|first=Rogier Van|last=Bakel|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|access-date=April 22, 2018|date=March 1, 1997}}</ref>

In 1994, ''ReBoot'' launched on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] in the United States and [[YTV (Canadian TV channel)|YTV]] in Canada. The series intermittently ran for four seasons with production ending in 2001. The company's second project was produced for American toy company [[Hasbro]]. ''[[Beast Wars]]'' (known in Canada as ''Beasties''), a relaunch of the [[Transformers]] brand, debuted in 1996 and concluded in 1999. A follow-up, ''[[Beast Machines]]'' was produced between 1999 and 2000. Both ''ReBoot'' and ''Beast Wars'' were produced with [[Alliance Communications]], who had taken a 50% ownership of Mainframe. In 1996, Mainframe paid $17 million to reduce Alliance's share to 15%.<ref>{{cite web|date=September 23, 1996|url=http://www.mainframe.ca:80/ABOUTUS/MEDIA/index.html|url-status=dead|title=Vancouver-Based Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. Reduces Alliance Communication Corporation's Interest in Firm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816231424/http://www.mainframe.ca/ABOUTUS/MEDIA/index.html|archive-date=August 16, 2000|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref>

Mainframe became a [[publicly traded company]] with a listing on the [[Toronto Stock Exchange]] on June 17, 1997. In conjunction with the public offering, Alliance sold 700,000 shares in the company, lowering their ownership to 7.8%.<ref>{{cite web|date=June 17, 1997|title=Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. Completes Initial Public Offering|url=http://www.mainframe.ca:80/ABOUTUS/FINANCIAL/index.html#june17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816231513/http://www.mainframe.ca/ABOUTUS/FINANCIAL/index.html#june17|access-date=April 23, 2018|publisher=Mainframe Entertainment|archive-date=August 16, 2000|url-status=dead}}</ref> Christopher Brough became the [[CEO]], Pearson the president, Blair as director of operations and Mitchell as Blair's assistant/vice.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mainframe Entertainment Corporate|url=http://mainframe.ca:80/ABOUTUS/CORPORATE/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991013130934/http://mainframe.ca/ABOUTUS/CORPORATE/index.html|archive-date=October 13, 1999|access-date=April 23, 2018|website=Mainframe Entertainment|url-status=dead}}</ref> In its first year on the stock exchange, Mainframe posted an $11 million loss despite producing hit multi-award-winning computer-animated shows during this period.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 24, 1998|title=Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. Announces Fiscal 1998 Year End Results|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816231513/http://www.mainframe.ca/ABOUTUS/FINANCIAL/index.html#july24|url=http://www.mainframe.ca:80/ABOUTUS/FINANCIAL/index.html#july24|publisher=Mainframe Entertainment|archive-date=August 16, 2000|access-date=April 23, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Mainframe opened its American division in Los Angeles on April 17, 1998, to be led by [[Dan DiDio]] and oversee content development, production and local distribution.<ref>{{cite press release|date=April 17, 1998|title=Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. Appoints L.A.-based Creative V.P.|archive-date=August 16, 2000|access-date=April 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816231513/http://www.mainframe.ca/ABOUTUS/MEDIA/index.html#april17|url=http://www.mainframe.ca:80/ABOUTUS/MEDIA/index.html#april17|website=Mainframe Entertainment|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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 [[IMAX Corporation]] made a $16 million investment in the company in 1999, which gave IMAX roughly 30% ownership of Mainframe, included the creation of a new joint venture meant to facilitate the creation of animated films based on ''[[Gulliver's Travels]]'' and ''[[Pied Piper]]'', with a third project titled ''Pandora’s Box.''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1999/film/news/imax-in-mainframe-s-picture-1117491903/|title=Imax in Mainframe's picture|first=Eric|last=Olsen|date=March 3, 1999|access-date=June 22, 2018|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> The films were intended to be stereoscopic, 3D feature length releases, though none of the three saw completion.<ref>{{cite web|date=September 25, 1998|url=https://www.awn.com/news/mainframe-travels-imax|title=Mainframe travels with IMAX|website=[[Animation World Network]]|access-date=June 22, 2018}}</ref>

At the end of the 1999 fiscal year, the company reported a $17 million loss.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816231513/http://www.mainframe.ca/ABOUTUS/FINANCIAL/index.html#july26|url=http://www.mainframe.ca:80/ABOUTUS/FINANCIAL/index.html#july26|title=Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. Announces Fiscal 1999 Year End Results|date=July 26, 1999|publisher=Mainframe Entertainment|archive-date=August 16, 2000|access-date=April 23, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Thanks to episode deliveries for ''Beast Machines'', ''Beast Wars'', ''[[Shadow Raiders]]'' and ''[[Weird-Oh's]]'' the company posted its first profit of $1.4 million in fiscal 2000.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816231513/http://www.mainframe.ca/ABOUTUS/FINANCIAL/index.html#jul5|url=http://www.mainframe.ca:80/ABOUTUS/FINANCIAL/index.html#jul5|title=Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2000 Results|date=July 5, 2000|access-date=August 19, 2018|archive-date=August 16, 2000|url-status=live}}</ref> Buoyed by ''[[Heavy Gear#TV series|Heavy Gear]]'', ''[[Action Man (2000 TV series)|Action Man]]'' and their first [[direct-to-video]] film, ''[[Casper's Haunted Christmas]]'', Mainframe posted another profit of $2.4 million for fiscal 2001.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010720045308/http://www.mainframe.ca/aboutus/news_media/2001/jul_9.html|url=http://www.mainframe.ca/aboutus/news_media/2001/jul_9.html|title=Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. Announces Best Year Ever for Fiscal 2001|date=July 9, 2001|publisher=Mainframe Entertainment|archive-date=July 20, 2001|access-date=May 25, 2019}}</ref> Despite the success, the company faced a major management shakeup that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.c21media.net/mainframe-ceo-steps-down-to-take-creative-role/|title=Mainframe ceo steps down to take creative role|first=Debra|last=Johnson|work=C21 Media|date=June 6, 2001|access-date=May 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kidscreen.com/2001/11/01/mainframe-20011101/|title=Mainframe's internal shuffle explained|date=November 1, 2001|access-date=May 25, 2019|work=[[Kidscreen]]|publisher=[[Brunico Communications]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2003/scene/news/mainframe-taps-mischel-1117881314/|title=Mainframe taps Mischel|first=Don|last=Townson|date=February 26, 2003|access-date=May 26, 2019|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media]]}}</ref> Pearson had stepped down as president in June and left the company shortly after, with fellow co-founders Blair and Mitchell also leaving in 2002 and 2005, respectively.

In 2001, American toy maker [[Mattel]] partnered with Mainframe to produce ''[[Barbie in the Nutcracker]]''. The direct-to-video feature sold more than {{formatnum:3.4}} million units in its first year.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Indies Gain Ground In DVD Marketplace |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=August 3, 2002 |volume=114 |issue=31 |page=63 |publisher=[[Nielsen Business Media]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AwwEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA63}}</ref> The success of the release led to a longstanding relationship between Mattel and the animation studio. Mainframe (and its successors) would later produce the majority of [[Barbie (film series)#Films|the franchise's]] direct-to-video films, as well as a [[Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures|television series]].

Following financial losses of $18.9 million and $7.5 million in fiscal 2002 and 2003, the American [[IDT Corporation]] announced it would purchase 56% of Mainframe for $14 million on September 16, 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://playbackonline.ca/2003/09/01/mainframe-20030901/|title=Mainframe's revenue drops 34% in '03|first=Ian|last=Edwards|date=September 1, 2003|access-date=May 25, 2019|work=[[Playback (magazine)|Playback]]|publisher=[[Brunico Communications]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://playbackonline.ca/2003/09/29/mainframe-20030929/|title=Mainframe sells majority ownership|first=Ian|last=Edwards|work=[[Playback (magazine)|Playback]]|publisher=[[Brunico Communications]]|access-date=April 22, 2018|date=September 29, 2003}}</ref> After the cancellation of ''[[Spider-Man: The New Animated Series]]'' that same year, the company moved away from producing television series. While a number of projects were announced they ultimately did not see fruition, including a pre-school oriented ''ReBoot'' spinoff called ''Binomes'' as well as Mainframe's first live-action production, an adaptation of ''[[Harriet the Spy]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.c21media.net/uk-pick-up-for-new-mainframe-toon/|title=UK pick-up for new Mainframe toon|date=June 13, 2003|access-date=April 23, 2018|first=Jenn|last=Kuzmyk|work=C21 Media}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://playbackonline.ca/2005/02/14/spin-20050214/|title=Spinning towards feature film FX|first=Mark|last=Dillon|work=[[Playback (magazine)|Playback]]|publisher=[[Brunico Communications]]|date=February 14, 2005|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/news/mainframe-lands-natpe-two-new-properties|title=Mainframe Lands At NATPE With Two New Properties|first=Leigh|last=Godfrey|date=January 7, 2003|access-date=April 23, 2018|work=[[Animation World Network]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/silver-lining-mainframe-make-big-plans-for-small-and-friends/|title=Silver Lining, Mainframe Make Big Plans for Small and Friends|work=[[Animation Magazine]]|first=Ryan|last=Ball|date=August 28, 2003|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/news/mip-tv-news-mainframe-sails-mip-tv-popeye-and-others|title= MIP-TV News: Mainframe Sails into MIP-TV with Popeye and Others|first=Rick|last=DeMott|work=[[Animation World Network]]|date=March 11, 2004|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/news/mainframe-protocol-team-live-action-harriet-spy|title=Mainframe & Protocol Team On Live-Action Harriet The Spy|date=September 21, 2004|first=Rick|last=Demott|work=[[Animation World Network]]|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref> In 2005, the company acquired the distribution rights to the live-action/CGI-animated television series ''[[Zixx]]''. Mainframe also provided animation for the show's second and third seasons in conjunction with [[Thunderbird Films]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://thunderbird.tv/2005/01/09/thunderbird-films-inks-deal-with-mainframe-entertainment-on-zixx/|title=Thunderbird Films Inks Deal with Mainframe Entertainment on ZIXX|location=Vancouver|publisher=[[Thunderbird Films]]|date=January 9, 2005|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref> The bulk of the company's work now consisted of direct-to-video projects and [[television specials]].

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/mainframe-animates-mtv-movie-awards/|title=Mainframe Animates MTV Movie Awards|date=May 21, 2003|access-date=June 22, 2018|work=[[Animation Magazine]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kidscreen.com/2005/11/01/mainframe-20051101/|title=Mainframe goes after creative services work|publisher=[[Brunico Communications]]|work=[[Kidscreen]]|date=November 1, 2005|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref> This branch of the company worked on a number of projects, including cut-scenes for ''[[Prototype (video game)|Prototype]]'', ''[[50 Cent: Blood on the Sand]]'' and ''[[Ghostbusters: The Video Game]]'', as well as the [[2006 MTV Movie Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/news/mainframe-ent-scores-2006-mtv-movie-awards-animation|title= Mainframe Ent. Scores 2006 MTV Movie Awards Animation|date=May 25, 2006|access-date=June 22, 2018|work=[[Animation World Network]]}}</ref>