Canadian animation studio Mainframe Ent. has been tapped to create category introductions and other original animated segments for this year’s MTV Movie Awards, which air June 8 on MTV. The company, which is also doing the logo and branding for the show, will use a mix of 2D and 3D to create the pieces, which will include the broadcast’s opening and closing. The project marks Mainframe’s move into branding and commercials.
The MTV Movie Awards is a sort of Tee-shirt and jeans version of the Oscars, with categories ranging from Best Movie to Best Kiss. Mainframe previously collaborated with MTV on the 2003 awards ceremony, creating category intros and animating celebrities Justin Timberlake and Seann William Scott as caped crusaders for the superhero-themed event. MTV Movie Awards producer Rick Austin says this year’s concept is a 180-degree turn from the big CG environments built for that show.
“It’s fantastic to work again with MTV in such a creative capacity,” says Mainframe CEO Rick Mischel. “The 2006 MTV Movie Awards are a great opportunity to demonstrate the phenomenal design, directorial, and artistic talent we have here at Mainframe, as well as the multiple branding and commercial animation services we offer.”
As it ventures into new territory with its branding and commercial efforts, Mainframe continues to work on animated television and film projects. The studio recently announced a development agreement with The Weinstein Company for the animated feature film Escape from Planet Earth, and has an all-new animated feature starring skateboarding legend Tony Hawk due out this fall on DVD.
