ONE OF THE ANIMATION INDUSTRY'S MOST RESPECTED DUOS TO SKYROCKET NEW "PROPERTY LAUNCHER" NICHE

Team Behind The Pink Panther and All Dogs Go To Heaven Form SD Entertainment

LOS ANGELES, CA – November 6, 2000 – One of the most respected teams in animation, and former heads of MGM Animation, Paul Sabella and Jonathan Dern, have formed the independent studio, SD Entertainment (SD). Combining their contemporary insights on the creation and marketing components of animated entertainment, SD is designed to be a "property launcher," which will develop, enhance and re-brand global intellectual properties.

In its first strategic alliance under the SD umbrella, the Studio has joined forces with the renowned UK-based international rights group, Chorion IP, to produce the new CGI version of the famed Emmy Award-winning preschool series, Noddy . Titled Make Way for NODDY and based on the popular and beloved characters created by children's author Enid Blyton, this new series will introduce state-of-the-art animation technology. This enhancement, utilizing the latest in 3D advanced computer graphics, will make this beloved children's classic even more appealing for the next generation. SD will create and design the 100 original episodes as well as spearhead the design of the cross-media merchandising. In addition to Make Way for NODDY , SD currently has over 12 projects in development.

Upon leaving MGM Animation and prior to forming SD, Sabella and Dern developed and now produce the hit series Action Man for Hasbro, Fox Kids‘ and Mainframe Entertainment.

"We are looking to expand the traditional animation studio model to enable us to become a leader in next-generation animation," stated Jonathan Dern, principal, SD Entertainment. "By teaming with renowned global entities, we have the ability to create unique franchise management opportunities across a variety of platforms including television, home video, games, Internet, publishing, film and merchandising. We know this will be an attractive offering as we seek out alliances with major studios, broadcast and cable networks as well as Internet program providers."

"With our combined expertise in television, direct-to-video, feature films, commercials and interactive games, we will create animated product that can be utilized in a myriad of methods and potentially set the standard for design and production excellence," added Paul Sabella, principal, SD Entertainment.

Sabella and Dern started working as a team at MGM on the The Pink Panther television series and the 1992 theatrical short Driving Mr. Pink: The Pink Panther . In 1993, they started MGM Animation together, leading the company's efforts in syndicated series, direct-to-video releases and long and short-form theatrical releases. They have produced and directed an extensive body of work over the past eight years, becoming one of the few producing teams of both animated television shows and feature films. Their credits at MGM include All Dogs Go to Heaven – The Series , Robocop: Alpha Commando , the syndicated series, The Lionhearts , based on MGM's Leo the Lion and his "family," the direct-to-video feature Tom Sawyer , Babes In Toyland , The Secret of Nimh 2: Timmy To The Rescue and the theatrical motion pictures All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 and The Pebble and the Penguin .

Specialty projects include the video series, MGM Sing-Alongs , and the IBM million-game sellers, The Adventures of Hyperman , the hit direct-to-video shorts, The Rainbow Fish and Dazzle the Dinosaur , as well as Time Warner's six-video series, The Beginner's Bible .

Prior to teaming with Dern, Sabella was senior vice president at Hanna-Barbera, responsible for all aspects of television animation production and serving as Executive Producer of Fish Police , Tom and Jerry Kids and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures . He also produced Hanna-Barbera's Daytime Emmy Award-nominated The Smurfs and Foofur . His earlier credits include serving as an Animation Director and Animator of Heavy Metal's "Captain Sternn" sequence in addition to working on various other animation productions.

Before joining forces with Sabella, Dern was an Associate Producer at DIC Enterprises/Rainforest Entertainment, where producer credits included many well-known and popular animated series. Dern began his career at William Morris Agency and Imagine Entertainment.

SD Entertainment is a new animation studio designed to develop, enhance and re-brand global intellectual properties. Created by former heads of MGM Animation and respected executives, Paul Sabella and Jonathan Dern, SD will create franchise management opportunities across a variety of platforms including television, home video, games, Internet, publishing, film and merchandising. Currently, SD has secured an alliance with Chorion IP to create, design and produce Make Way for NODDY , the new 3D CGI version of the Emmy Award-winning preschool series, Noddy . Make Way for NODDY is based on the world-renowned and beloved characters created for children by author Enid Blyton. In addition to the Make Way for NODDY production, SD currently has more than 12 projects in development. Upon leaving MGM Animation and prior to forming SD, Sabella and Dern developed and now produce the hit series Action Man for Hasbro, Fox Kids‘ and Mainframe Entertainment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Dina Weinberg
MindLight Group
(310) 826-8900
dina@mindlightgroup.com