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Benay Hicks

Behind the Scenes: The Dream Big News Special

By Andrea Griffith Cash, Andrea Cash Creative

You have probably heard that on Monday, Jan. 18, Book Harvest will host its 10th Annual Dream Big Book Drive and Community Celebration.

From noon until 4 pm, we will return to Durham Central Park to mark this day of service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But this year, our planning has looked a bit different. We will be surrounded by books and kids, as we always are, but in a new, drive-through format that will keep us all safe.

Knowing that this year we would be without a stage at Dream Big and a huge crowd of people wandering Durham Central Park on foot, a few months ago, we started planning the first-ever Dream Big News Special, which will premiere on our Facebook page and on our website on Jan. 18 at noon (see the preview here)!

The News Special format offers us an opportunity to acknowledge our supporters, volunteers, donors, and team. It’s also a way to spread the word far and wide about Book Harvest’s mission – and to look back on all we’ve accomplished in our first decade.

For this fun project, we recruited local kids to fill the roles of news anchors and correspondents, offering reports from the field about the joy that reading brings to all of our lives. On screen, they analyze the numbers – summarizing the data behind the books that have been collected and the sweat equity that has gone into Book Harvest’s growth. And they interview sponsors about their dedication to community service and the delight a good book brings to them.

We filmed the News Special a few weeks ago, transforming Book Harvest’s offices into a makeshift, socially-distanced film set. Yuri Vaysgant and Cory Befus were behind the cameras and the lights. Artauro Productions also filmed a segment that shows children and parents reading excerpts from their favorite books. I took care of the creative direction and the logistics, and Taquoia Street (board member & parent) served as our drama coach on set.

Our thanks to the young stars of our show and their families for bringing our vision to life: Aaron, Adaora, Annie, Brendan, Camila, Christian, Elyse, Eva, Jade, James Preston, Joaquin, Jonah, Kayode, Leela, Liam, Liliana, Lior, Maddison, Mia, Miriam, Morgan, Naomi, Noam, Sam, Shariah, Sid, Skye, Treyson, and Yemi.

We hope you will tune in on Jan. 18! Go to Book Harvest’s Facebook page or homepage for the premiere at noon, before you head to Durham Central Park to drive through our Dream Big event (Facebook event is here). This collection of charming on-air talent is sure to bring a smile to your face!

Here are some behind-the-scenes photos:

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