IDT Ent. and its animation subsidiary, Mainframe Ent., have entered into an agreement with skateboarding legend Tony Hawk to produce a computer-generated animated feature for direct-to-DVD/video release. IDT Ent. Sales will handle worldwide television and DVD/video distribution of the Mainframe production, tentatively titled TONY HAWK IN BOOM BOOM GOES THE CIRCUS.
The film will feature the voice and animated likeness of Hawk and utilize advanced motion capture and CG animation technology to bring his incredible skateboarding skills to life on the screen. Production is scheduled to begin in November 2004 with delivery planned for early 2006.
"With grace, skill and imagination, Tony Hawk transformed an extreme sport into an art form," said Morris Berger, IDT Ent.'s ceo. "Now IDT Ent., Mainframe and Tony Hawk are taking the art of animation and pushing it to the creative limits. Tony joins Stan Lee, Todd McFarlane, Rob Zombie and other entertainment icons who are working with IDT Ent. on groundbreaking animation projects."
"Tony Hawk is a legend in the sport of skateboarding and is the world's most recognized extreme sports athlete," added Rick Mischel, ceo of Mainframe Ent. "With this film, Tony will add animation star to his long list of credits. Mainframe will pull out all the stops to make this feature a total 'in your face' experience with all the excitement and drama of one of Tony Hawk's mind-blowing performances."
The film tells the story of an evil and devious circus owner who plots to ruin Tony Hawk's Boom Boom HuckJam show by kidnapping Tony. Tony's fans witness the abduction but can't convince the authorities that a crime has occurred. With nowhere to turn for help, it's up to Tony's loyal fans to rescue their hero.
Vancouver-based Mainframe Ent. Inc. (www.mainframe.ca) is one of the world's most prolific producers of computer animation for television and direct-to-videos, and is expanding into long-form CGI for feature films, commercials and interactive entertainment. In addition to its production of the award-winning BARBIE OF SWAN LAKE direct-to-video feature, a new Popeye CGI primetime television special and the new SPIDER-MAN animated series, the company created the animation, logo and branding for the 2003 MTV Movie Awards. The company is best known as the pioneer of computer animated television series for the groundbreaking REBOOT. Mainframe has produced more than 240 half hours of computer animation since its inception in 1993. Mainframe is producing a new CGI animated INSPECTOR GADGET DVD feature, as well as a slate of new proprietary television specials and DVD features. Mainframe's majority shareholder is IDT Ent.
IDT Ent., a division of IDT Corp. (www.idt.net), is a vertically integrated entertainment concern focused on developing, acquiring, producing and distributing computer-generated and traditionally animated productions and other productions for the film, broadcast and direct-to-consumer markets. IDT Ent. also owns a minority interest in Stan Lee's POW! Ent. Recently, IDT Ent. entered into a multi-faceted development, production and distribution agreement with Todd McFarlane Prods. to produce animated programming and merchandise based on Spawn and other TMP original intellectual properties.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
