THE SCRIPT JUST FOR REFERENCE
Eight to 10 people are gathered around a dining table in a comfortable but humble looking home. Their ages range from children through two generations of adults. Most appear to be African Nova Scotian; two or three do not. The home subtly features a few ANS cultural touchstones in the background: family photos, ANS or African art, relevant books…
For an initial 10–15 seconds everybody is oddly quiet, not talking at all or whispering inaudibly, although they seem happy and excited. The room is not dark, but the light level is low. And there’s no background music. This absence of sound stands out and draws attention compared to any regular TV content. All this creates suspense and suggests the gathering is secret.
Suddenly, the tension is broken by the sound of the home’s door being opened, and two more people entering—a man and a girl in her soccer uniform. The sound of their joyful conversation pierces the silence. Bright daylight pours into the room. And everyone around the table shouts, “Surprise!”
From here on, light, laughter, and happy discussion fill the room. The sound and lighting contrast dramatically with the previous scene, underlined with upbeat music.
A voiceover narrator begins to speak as the girl, now at the head of the table, blows out candles on her birthday cake.
VO: Every child needs a family. An extended family from their own community.
The girl and her foster family members cheerfully interact.
VO: People like you. To be there.,
VO: Learn more about becoming a foster caregiver.
SUPER: Be there.
SUPER: Learn more about becoming a Foster Caregiver.
URL: fostercare.novascotia.ca