On Screen Entertainment creates, develops and produces quality programming for the entire family. The company, jointly run by Emmy Award-winning producers Nikki Silver and Orly Wiseman, was created out of their passion and commitment to providing exceptional family entertainment.

On Screen Entertainment is in different stages of production on the following book projects—Christopher Paul Curtis’ The Watsons Go To Birmingham, produced with Tonya Lewis Lee and Chris Rock for HBO Films, and Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer written by Julie Sherman Wolfe. These titles are all award–winning (Newbery Honor, National Book Award, Coretta Scott King Award) and have a large devoted following.

On Screen is also in production on 2 documentaries, Love in A World of Sorrow, and Just Doing It. 

On Screen Entertainment has worked with most major networks and has an impressive library of award–winning programming. Miracle’s Boys, a teen live–action series based on Jacqueline Woodson’s award-winning novel premiered on The N in 2005. Reading Rainbow, a multi–award winning children’s series on PBS, has won 24 Emmys in 20 years including Best Children’s Series for the past five consecutive years. What’s Going On?, is a documentary series produced in association with the United Nations for Showtime Networks hosted by top celebrity activists including Michael Douglas, Angelina Jolie, Richard Gere and Laurence Fishburne- to name a few. The Zack Files, a fifty–two episode live action teen comedy based on the book series of the same name is in syndication on Showtime Networks.

On Screen Entertainment is based in New York City.

Nikki Silver, President
On Screen Entertainment

As President of On Screen Entertainment, Ms. Silver oversees all creative and business development initiatives.

Her love of children’s literature prompted Ms. Silver to option and produce numerous award–winning books for television and film. Currently, Ms. Silver is developing for HBO The Watsons Go To Birmingham, a film adaptation of Christopher Paul Curtis’ novel, which partners On Screen with Tonya Lewis Lee, writing the script, and Chris Rock (who intends to star in the title role). Additional projects include an independent film based on the award–winning novel Hope Was Here, an adaptation of Joan Bauer’s much–loved teen novel, written by Julie Sherman Wolfe.

On Screen is recognized for the critically acclaimed television franchise, Reading Rainbow that entered its 23rd season. Designed to inspire children’s imaginations, Reading Rainbow is a fast–paced, daily half–hour, magazine style series encouraging a love of reading in children and building lasting connections between children and books. The series has won 25 Emmy awards including 7 for Outstanding Children’s Series.

Recently, she developed Jacqueline Woodson’s Miracle’s Boys (a Coretta Scott King winner) into a groundbreaking miniseries for The N. As the Executive Producer of Miracle’s Boys, Ms. Silver was intimately involved in preserving the integrity of the material as it was translated to the screen. Miracle’s Boys was directed by top filmmakers such as Spike Lee, LeVar Burton, and Bill Duke.

Ms. Silver developed and produced the series, What’s Going On? (in association with The United Nations), which premiered on Showtime in 2003. What’s Going On?, an original family documentary series, goes beyond the news headlines to examine critical global issues through the eyes of children. The series’ celebrity hosts have included Danny Glover, Angelina Jolie, Richard Gere, Meg Ryan, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Laurence Fishburne and Michael Douglas.

Ms. Silver was also the Executive Producer of The Zack Files (produced with Decode Entertainment.) The sci–fi tween series is in syndication on Showtime Networks. Addtionally, she was the Executive Producer of That’s What I’m Talking About, a TV Land mini-series moderated by Wayne Brady. This program, both controversial and entertaining, received rave reviews for it’s honest roundtable discussions about issues facing African Americans today.

In December 2003, Ms. Silver together with her partner Orly Wiseman launched iT Tv. The channel, which premiered on RCN’s New York City cable system, was designed as a launching pad for independently produced television. The Channel’s content ranges from children’s shows featuring animated programs from some of the world’s top animation houses (Granada Television, Decode Entertainment and Yoram Gross) to The Best of iT featuring the “best of the best” that New York City offers, to Shoot iT, showcasing never before seen independent films, and It Rocks, which offers personal profiles of the artists who have shaped today’s pop music scene.

Ms. Silver began her career in film and television as a documentary producer for public television. Her interest in children’s television prompted her to join Lancit Media Entertainment in 1992, where she produced several television series including The Puzzle Place, Backyard Safari and Outward Bound.

Ms. Silver received her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. She is married and has three children, Harrison, Jack and Justin.

Orly Wiseman, President,
On Screen Entertainment

As president of On Screen Entertainment, Ms. Wiseman is responsible for the daily operations and all aspects of production.

Ms. Wiseman is a 25 year veteran of the production industry in New York. She was one of the original producers of Reading Rainbow for which she has garnered 6 Emmy awards.Reading Rainbow entered its 23rd season on PBS, continuing to redefine children’s television.

Recently, Ms. Wiseman served as Executive Producer of The Zack Files. The sci–fi tween series, a co–production with Decode Entertainment, is in syndication on Showtime Networks. She was also the Executive Producer of That’s What I’m Talking About, a TV Land mini-series moderated by Wayne Brady  about issues facing African Americans today.

Her passion in creating children’s television with a purpose, led to the production of the dramatic mini-series, Miracle’s Boys. As Executive Producer, Ms. Wiseman brought together an extraordinary team of directors, writers and production personnel for this ground-breaking six-part series which aired on MTV Networks’ The N.

In 2003, Ms. Wiseman produced the documentary series, What’s Going On?, for Showtime Networks. The series about children in crisis, was produced in association with The United Nations on location around the globe from Sierra Leone to Cambodia and Mongolia to Trinidad and Australia. The series’ celebrity hosts included Danny Glover, Angelina Jolie, Richard Gere, Meg Ryan, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Laurence Fishburne and Michael Douglas.

In December 2003, Ms. Wiseman, together with her partner Nikki Silver, oversaw the development and launch of iT Tv. The channel, which premiered on RCN’s New York City system is the first true “People’s Channel,” with a direct link to the Internet for customers to submit their feedback about the channel’s programming.

iT Tv’s independently produced content ranges from children’s shows featuring animated programs from some of the world’s top animation houses (Granada Television, Decode Entertainment and Yoram Gross) to The Best of iT featuring the “best of the best” that New York City offers, to Shoot iT, showcasing never before seen independent films, and It Rocks, which offers personal profiles of the artists who have shaped today’s pop music scene.

Ms. Wiseman began her career as a freelance production manager in film. For much of her career, she was the Senior Vice President of Production for Lancit Media Entertainment. She was responsible for the development and production of all television series and specials, including Outward Bound, Puzzle Place, Backyard Safari and Reading Rainbow.

Ms. Wiseman received her B.F.A from New York University. She is married and has three children, Danielle, Juliette, and Benjamin.