Evolution Joins Forces With Henry Winkler and Sesame Workshop to Produce a Television First in Children's Programming.

Business/Entertainment Editors & Education Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 2000

Evolution, creators and producers of the critically acclaimed kid's documentary series "Bug Juice," has teamed up with Henry Winkler's Fair Dinkum Productions and Sesame Workshop, formerly known as the Children's Television Workshop, to develop and produce a mixed reality and scripted series titled "PURE IMAGINATION."

E. Jeffrey Smith (D.C. Follies, Wonderful of Disney's Life Size), the creator of "PURE IMAGINATION," and Henry Winkler will executive produce the series. Sharon Simon (VH1's "Behind the Music," "Bug Juice"), a five-time Emmy award-winning producer, will produce the show.

"PURE IMAGINATION" gives real kids television's first showcase for their stories by taking a young author's original short story and transforming it into a mini-movie in collaboration with a team of professional filmmakers. "PURE IMAGINATION" teams young writers with big stars, top directors and renowned screenwriters to adapt their stories into original movies. Through extensive reality sequences and behind-the-scenes footage, "PURE IMAGINATION" will explore and reveal the creative process from beginning to end. The finale of each episode will be the actual premiere of the young author's story in film. The show has already received support from well-known entertainment professionals and educators, such as Ted Danson ("Cheers," "Becker"), Mary Steenburgen ("Back to the Future," "Gulliver's Travels") and Dale Allender (Associate Executive Director, National Council of Teachers of English).

"PURE IMAGINATION" will seek out young writers, ages 10-18, through many well-respected writing organizations, such as the National Council of Teachers of English, renowned publications Merlyn's Pen and Quill Society and through the Internet. "PURE IMAGINATION" will include a companion Internet site that integrates online and television content and will launch the presence for the television series. The "PURE IMAGINATION" site will also include a contest to select an Internet writing winner for the season finale episode.

An advisory board is being formed to set story selection standards and promote the mission statement: "Self-expression, particularly the art of writing, encourages creativity and literacy." The advisory board is selected from a wide breadth of entertainment and education professionals, ranging from Donna Roth (Producer: "Forces of Nature," "Grosse Pointe Blank"), Terry Turner (Creator, Executive Producer: "Third Rock From The Sun") and Dr. James Comer (Associate Dean, Yale School of Medicine -- Yale Child Study Center).

"'PURE IMAGINATION' complements and continues our commitment to giving children an authentic voice on television. Evolution is proud to be a part of such a creative and progressive project," stated Douglas Ross, president of Evolution.

Winkler said, "When Jeffrey Smith brought this project to me, I knew that it was something I wanted to be involved in. Now, with the efforts of Sharon Simon and the commitments from Evolution and Sesame Workshop, it appears that our dreams may become a reality. 'PURE IMAGINATION' will be pure magic for kids everywhere."

"With the guidance and support of professionals in the field, we hope to make the young writers' learning experience much more meaningful," said Julian Scott, group vice president, European Operations, of Sesame Workshop. "'PURE IMAGINATION' creates a wonderful forum for young teens to express themselves with new and different tools that we hope will attract children and adult viewers alike."

About Henry Winkler

Winkler is a successful actor, producer and director. Currently starring on Broadway in Neil Simon's "The Dinner Party," he recently received an Emmy nomination for his appearance on ABC's "The Practice," as well as having appeared opposite Adam Sandler in "The Waterboy," one of last year's highest grossing films. Perhaps best known for having portrayed "The Fonz" in the TV series "Happy Days," Winkler has always been committed to the protection and encouragement of children and children's issues. He has executive produced numerous programs, including "Who Are the DeBolts?" and "Where Did They Get 19 Kids?," "MacGyver" and "So Weird," which was named one of the Top 10 New Children's Programs by TV Guide. He is deeply committed to children's welfare and works with many children's groups. He is a founding member of the Children's Action Network, an organization composed of entertainment industry leaders dedicated to raising the profile of children's issues through the media, has served as Honorary Chairman of United Friends of the Children, the volunteer support group for MacLaren Children's Center (a Los Angeles facility for abused and abandoned children), The National Committee Arts for the Handicapped, the Special Olympics and the Los Angeles Music Center's Very Special Arts Festival, to name but a few.

About Evolution

A full-service production company known for innovative programming, Evolution recently completed the co-production of "Big Brother" for CBS television and is currently in production on season three for the Disney Channel series "Bug Juice," documenting real kids at a real summer camp; "Totally Hoops," a documentary television series that chronicles a real-life girls' basketball team's season; and "Movie Surfers," a scripted show about a group of kids who come together through the Internet to learn about the making of Disney films. Evolution's projects range from the syndicated series "Screen Gems Network" for Columbia Tri-Star to producing the American series adaptation of the extreme stunt, Dutch format "Now r Neverland" for NBC. They can be found on the Web at www.evolutionusa.com.

About Sesame Workshop

Sesame Workshop is a non-profit educational organization committed to maximizing the power of media as an educational force in the lives of all children. Its products include television, online, CD-ROMs, magazines, books, film, community outreach and licensing. Best known as the creators of "Sesame Street" -- now in its 31st season on PBS -- the Workshop produces programming that has been enjoyed in 148 countries, including 20 co-productions reflecting local languages, customs, and educational needs. With Sony Pictures Family Entertainment, the Workshop recently launched "Dragon Tales" on PBS. Several of the Workshop's earlier award-winning programs, including "The Electric Company," "3-2-1 Contact," and "Square One TV," can now be found on Noggin, the new 24-hour-per-day kids' thinking channel, a joint venture between the Workshop and Nickelodeon. Find the Workshop online at www.sesameworkshop.org, www.sesamestreet.com, and www.stickerworld.org.