VANCOUVER and TORONTO — Wow! Unlimited Media announced today its Vancouver-based Mainframe Studios division is opening a new virtual studio in Toronto.
Mainframe’s Ontario-based leadership already includes Emmy-winning producer Tanya Green as head of preschool, Christine Huot as manager of people and culture and Jennifer Bradley as director of 2D production.
Green was hired in July 2020 (as Cartt.ca reported here), while Huot joined Mainframe Studios in November 2020, according to her LinkedIn profile. Bradley’s hiring, along with Mainframe’s expansion into 2D production, occurred earlier this summer.
The studio in Toronto “will be virtually connected to Mainframe’s Global Studio Pipeline, without incurring any additional physical lease requirements,” a Wow! Unlimited Media press release says.
Known for its award-winning animation, Mainframe’s Vancouver-based studio “has grown from 400 to over 650 people since 2020 and continues to grow with new opportunities including a Spin Master project,” reads the release.
“We’ve had our eye on the amazing talent in Eastern Canada for years,” said Kim Dent Wilder, executive vice-president at Mainframe, in the release. “In addition to our Global Studio Pipeline, our recent growth speaks to Mainframe’s strong position to manage projects, attract great talent and provide the necessary tools for artists including the ability to collaborate virtually across Canada.”
Mainframe says its commitment to a long-term work-from-home strategy provides flexibility and opportunities for talent across Ontario.
Some of Mainframe’s projects in recent years include Madagascar: A Little Wild for DreamWorks Animation, Octonauts specials, Mattel’s Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures, and the Netflix original series Spy Kids: Mission Critical.
Mainframe currently has 12 titles in production, including 11 CG-animated series and the studio’s first 2D animated series, The Guava Juice Show, a YouTube Original expected to be released in late 2021, says the press release.
