Vancouver: Commercial creator Cactus Productions has signed a deal with Mainframe Entertainment to represent the commercial skills of the ReBoot series maker throughout the world.

While the ink on the contract is hardly dry, the relationship between the two companies g’es back two years when Mainframe provided animation for a Cactus spot for Irwin and its ReBoot-related merchandise.

Cactus president Scott Kennedy says Mainframe wanted to ensure that it had the systems and infrastructure in place to take on commercial production at the same time as it produces ReBoot and animated series Beasties.

The agreement allows Cactus to represent Mainframe and its cgi capabilities rather than Mainframe’s key talent.

‘This is a logical extension of our abilities,’ says Mainframe president and ceo Chris Brough. ‘Our key people come from high-end commercial production so we have a lot of in-house experience.’

Kennedy says Mainframe will be marketed as a high-end service in the major North American and European markets. ‘Few facilities in the world have the kind of equipment and expertise available at Mainframe,’ he explains.

Rates, meanwhile, depend on the project. While not disclosing details of the actual rate card, Kennedy says Mainframe is ‘competitively priced with the top u.s. animators.’ Cactus has no similar relationship with other animators.

One selling point Kennedy offers is turnaround. Mainframe will be able to provide commercial clients with quick response compared to other animation companies, he claims.

Using ReBoot and Beasties as examples, Mainframe is able to produce a half-hour episode in three weeks.

‘Mainframe has in-house abilities to render exceptionally fast,’ says Kennedy.

Inquiries are trickling in, but the partnership has not signed any jobs yet. ‘We’re breaking new territory,’ says Kennedy, ‘so it will take a while yet.’