ABOUT US
The Operating Room (“the OR”) is a fun-loving production company focused on creating, developing, producing and distributing universally celebrated franchises. We pride ourselves on our diverse relationships with major Hollywood studios, independent production companies, new media companies, and talented content creators. We are passionate about bringing great stories and compelling characters to audiences worldwide.
There has always been a strong connection between the company and Israel. In fact, OR means light in Hebrew. Israel is the source of some of our most exciting content and talented collaborators, as well as being the birthplace of one of our founders.
OUR PROCESS
OUR PROCESS
OR has the unique ability to find raw and undiscovered content - diamonds in the rough, and to finely hone them into finished products suitable for commercialization for our extensive network of broadcasters, SVODs and production companies.
Development
Production
Distribution
Licensing
MEET THE ADVISORY BOARD
JACK Q. GAO
CEO
Smart Cinema
Jack is the Founder and CEO of Smart Cinema, a digital distribution platform for feature films. Before founding Smart Cinema, Jack was the SVP of Wanda Cultural Industry Group, CEO of Int’l Investments and Operations, as well as CEO of Legendary Pictures. Prior to that, he served as SVP of 21st Century Fox, CEO of Star TV China, and Chairman of MySpace China. His positions at technology leaders included being President and General Manager of Microsoft China, and Global Vice President of Autodesk. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Trustees of the AFI, and has been twice named to Hollywood Reporter’s Most Powerful People in Entertainment list. He is also the subject of a recent biography Jack Gao: Innovation & Change: Jack Gao Danced with the Industry Giants in Amazingly Changed Forty Years. Jack received Bachelor and Masters Degrees in applied mechanics from Harbin Institute of Technology, and a Doctorate from UCLA. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Business School.
DAVID LEVINE
Former Chief Content Officer
Moonbug Entertainment
David Levine was previously Vice President, Kids Programming, Europe and Africa/UK Ireland for the Walt Disney Company. As part of the Disney Channel's EMEA leadership team, David also advised on the overall strategic direction for Disney Channels across the region. His earlier roles at The Walt Disney Company included serving as VP Programming, Production and Strategic Development and the VP and General Manager of Disney XD Worldwide. David joined the Disney family in 2004 as its VP Worldwide Programming Strategy for Disney/ABC cable networks group, and became VP Worldwide Programming Strategy, Acquisitions and Co-Productions for Disney Channels Worldwide. David received his Bachelors degree from Queens College at SUNY, and his JD from George Washington University Law School.
SADAF MUNCY
SVP, Head of Development and Production
Happy Nest Entertainment
Sadaf is the VP of Entertainment at MGA Entertainment. She is an Emmy nominated producer with 15+ years of experience creating content for kids, tweens, and teens. Innovative, versatile and creative executive who has developed and produced both live action and animated series for leading networks including Netflix, YouTube, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and more.
She has successfully driven properties from concept to proven, award winning franchises which support and propel successful consumer products. Sadaf is adept at creating both long form and short form content to drive engagement and reach audiences wherever they are watching content. Prior to joining MGA, Sadaf was a Partner, CFO and Executive Producer at John Doze Studios; Executive Producer at Moonscoop/Mike Young Productions; and Director, Development and Production, Television Series for Fox Family Television Studios. Sadaf received two Bachelors Degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles.
TIM SARNOFF
Fmr Deputy CEO, President of Production Services
Technicolor
As Deputy CEO and President of Production Services, Tim was in charge of all post-production, visual effects, animation and games worldwide for Technicolor. Previously he served as the company’s President of Technicolor Digital Productions. Prior to coming to Technicolor, Tim was the President of Sony Pictures Imageworks for 12 years, and the studio received numerous awards and nominations during his tenure, including two Oscars for Spider-Man 2 and The ChubbChubbs!, and nominations for Surf’s Up; Monster House; The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Spider-Man; Hollow Man; Stuart Little and Starship Troopers. Previous to that, Tim created and was SVP of Warner Digital Studio as a division of Warner Bros., and shepherded the start-up and growth of Warner Bros. Animation as SVP. Sarnoff holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology and in Journalism from Stanford University.
SANDER SCHWARTZ
Executive Producer
Sandman Films
A senior entertainment executive and Emmy-winning producer of innovative entertainment content with a 25-year career in television and film development and production, Sander has led three of the world's preeminent animation and children's content producers and distributors. He built the family entertainment division for Fremantle Media; was President, International Production, Sony Pictures Television International; and was President of Warner Bros Animation where he collaborated with Warner Bros. Pictures to help develop animated feature films based on new characters, as well as the Warner's classic Looney Tunes, DC Comics and Hanna-Barbera libraries of IP. Sander has in recent years developed and produced the Skylanders Academy series for Activision Film & Television Group, which is available on Netflix worldwide, and Subway Surfers, based upon the iconic (and most downloaded in history) mobile app game. Sander received his Bachelors Degree from Ohio University, and his JD from Northwestern.
DANNY SIMON
CEO
The Licensing Group, Ltd
With nearly 40 years of experience in the licensing industry, Danny is a recognized expert in domestic and international licensing. Prior to founding The Licensing Group (TLG), he headed up licensing departments at Lorimar Studios, 20th Century Fox, and Carolco Pictures. He has licensed properties such as Titanic, Baywatch, Mortal Kombat, Ultraman, Rambo, Terminator 2 and Abbey Road Studios.
Danny has taught at UCLA and NYU, conducted seminars in 17 countries, is a visiting professor at Beijing University, and is an advisor to Tsinghua University’s Branding Research Center. He is a founding member, board member and past president of the licensing industry's trade association, LIMA. He has also authored three seminal books on Licensing including The Basics of Licensing, The Basics of Licensing – International Edition, and The Basics of Licensing – Licensee Edition. Danny has been inducted into the Licensing Hall of Fame.
MEET THE TEAM
ODED TURGEMAN
Co-founder & President
Oded was born and raised in Jerusalem and attended the Sam Spiegel Film & Television school. He also wrote and directed two short films shown on Israeli television, and directed nationally broadcast television shows and commercials. In 2005, Oded moved to Los Angeles to attend the American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory’s prestigious directing program. He received the Hollywood Foreign Press Association International Filmmaker Award in recognition of his work on Pooh’s Prayer. His thesis film, Song of David won the jury prize at the USA Film Festival. Oded also created Polarizers, a boys-action TV series. Oded is also the North American Representative for the Jerusalem Development Authority.
ROBY FREIREICH
Co-founder & Managing Director
Roby has 20 years of wide-ranging experience in creating and growing global businesses. He is a proven leader with the ability to create successful results by working with customers, vendors, shareholders and employees. He founded and built a global manufacturing and distribution company, with offices in the US, Hong Kong, and China. His customers included some of America’s largest retailers such as Bed, Bath & Beyond, TJ Maxx, Ross Stores and Nordstrom, as well as companies in more than 40 countries.
DAVID M. ISRAEL
EVP Content
David is an Emmy and Golden Globe winning television writer/producer who, after moving to LA from New York, he spent four seasons as a writer and executive producer on the hit NBC show 3rd Rock From The Sun. He then created The Tracy Morgan Show for NBC and wrote and executive produced Grounded for Life for FOX before moving to Nickelodeon to produce How to Rock and Marvin Marvin. After that, he executive produced About a Boy for NBC and then joined the hour long dramedy Unreal for Lifetime. He is currently writing on Dynasty for The CW.
ORLY ISRAEL
Creative Executive/Writer
Orly is a graduate of the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. He has worked for Sony and Universal, edited books, and directed several music videos. His passion is developing stories and ideas that test the relationship between the fabric of reality and the limits of the human condition. A religious advocate of animated comedy and Japanese manga, Orly understands that art does not simply appear, but is crafted through diligence, ingenuity, and teamwork. He believes the pen is mightier than the sword. However, he will let you have the pen in a sword-fight. En garde!
OUR PROJECTS
HAWKMASTER
A Prime Time action-adventure TV series for the whole family about a fantastic world populated by giant birds. Hawkmaster traces the story of the relationship and adventures of a girl and her steed-hawk through tumultuous times. Created by the Oscar-winning writer/director of Pixar’s Brave, Mark Andrews. Currently in pre- production at FOX.
ADRENALINE LEMMINGS
A character driven comedy TV series for kids about a squad of talented misfit CG animated lemmings who have been sent on a hugely important mission to scout their colony’s next potential migration point in a live-action world. Developed with Emmy-Winning executive producer Scott D. Peterson (Last Kids on Earth), and co-created with distinguished PIXAR Alumnus Alex Orrelle (Space Jam: A New Legacy).
THE COMPANY WE KEEP
STUFFED
Stuffed is about the real and imaginary lives of a girl and her collection of mythical plush toys. It’s about the pure joy of unfettered childhood imagination, and about flights of fancy to fantastic realms where untold adventures await!
UNDER
THE HOOD
Under the Hood explores the deep connection people have with their vehicles—told from both the car and drivers’ points of view. Created by distinguished Pixar alumnus, Andrew Gordon. Emmy Winning producer Sander Schwartz attached.
NEWS
CONTACT US
LOS ANGELES
1800 N. Vine Street
Hollywood, CA 90028
+1-323-330-9535
JERUSALEM
60 Harav Nissim Street, suite #1
Jerusalem 95401
+ 972-3-721-6408