Khalilah Brooks, a 2019 graduate of our Children’s Media program, has spent years developing Aunty B—a character that she brought to life through a YouTube series, Aunty B & Friends, and on the road with her production company BAM Children’s Entertainment Inc. where she would perform for children with the help of Bunraku puppetry.
With the different avenues Khalilah has taken Aunty B, her latest undertaking is incredibly notable; Aunty B has transformed into a live-action children’s series titled Aunty B’s House, which will premiere on CBC Kids and CBC Gem this fall!
The show, which comprises twenty episodes spanning seven minutes in length, focuses on growing up in the foster care system—something Khalilah has drawn on from personal experience. In the show, Aunty B is a foster mom with a group of foster kids. Each episode focuses on an important topic that Khalilah says can apply to children whether they are in or have experienced foster care or not. For instance, an episode highlights one of the children losing a tooth—something all children experience. However, the episode sheds light on what that experience might be like for a child in a foster home, as the child is worried about whether the tooth fairy will find them.
Bringing awareness to foster care is something that is important to Khalilah, as she shares that foster kids are not really being seen despite the hundreds of thousands in Canada and the US. Growing up in the foster system from two years old to when she aged out at 21, Khalilah says she never saw this type of representation, especially on the screen.
Reflecting on this time growing up in the foster care system, she explains how her foster mother played a significant role in her life. “I tried my hardest, as I was living in and out of foster care, to try to stay on the narrow path. Thank God I was blessed with this beautiful woman who came into my life at the age of ten, and she was my last foster mother. She gave me a really solid foundation that I could tap into to keep myself on the straight and narrow as much as possible as I was becoming a young woman,” she shares.
Being able to share some of the experiences she went through within the episodes of Aunty B's House while still exploring topics that can resonate with all kids watching is something that Khalilah holds close to her heart. She explains, "Aunty B's House is literally about my life. It's about me living in foster care, what that looked like, and some of the challenges I went through as a foster child. We're bringing it to the screen because no one's done it before."
WHAT IGNITED IT ALL
Michelle Melanson, the President of Headspinner Productions and Executive Producer of Aunty B’s House, knew Khalilah well before the show’s creation. In fact, it stems back to Khalilah’s Centennial days when she was in the midst of her program. “I was invited to attend the pitches in the class. Khalilah pitched Aunty B and Friends based on her work in the theatre with the character of Aunty B. I loved her energy and, of course, her story. It was so personal, and that resonated with me. We continued to keep in touch after that, and then I reached out to her during the pandemic to see how she was doing. The rest is history,” Michelle shares.
During this time, Khalilah was already applying for funding to produce a demo and says that with Michelle's support, she received the Ontario Creates grant. Michelle adds that this would support Khalilah in developing her character into a TV series, writing the show's bible, and doing a demo.
From there, Michelle says she stepped in as Executive Producer and as a mentor. "Once we had that package which was developed as Aunty B's House, Headspinner Productions optioned the property, and we became partners with Khalilah. I then pitched it to CBC, and we received more development funding for a revised bible, two scripts and another demo reel," she explains.
In the fall of 2022, the series received a green light, and production began in early 2023!
FILMING AUNTY B’S HOUSE
The show began shooting in late March of this year, but before it could start, Michelle explains there were several steps to decide beforehand, such as getting the scripts and production design done right, as well as finding the cast and crew. "It was all very exciting, and because we had a strong foundation in the development, we basically put together our dream team," she adds.
As things finalize for the show’s premiere in the fall, Michelle says that they are making the episodes the best they can be. “We know we are making something special that has not been seen before…it truly feels like what we set out to do, and that is to make a preschool sitcom with heart and humour and to show children a family that they either can relate to or learn from. I look forward to children all over the world getting to see this incredible show and to hear Khalilah’s story,” she shares.
APPLYING THE LESSONS FROM THE CHILDREN’S MEDIA PROGRAM
Khalilah recognizes just how much she was able to take from the Children’s Media program and apply it to the process of making Aunty B’s House. She shares, “Right from building the bible, building the promotional material, creating finding crew, writing scripts, a wardrobe and putting it all together, cameras—all of it. There's nothing that I have not learned from the Children's Media program that did not benefit me to where I am right now.”
She adds, “Anybody that wants to get into media, children's media specifically, definitely should be attending the Children's Media program. There's no doubt about it. I couldn't have done any of this… and if I hadn't done it, there would have been an even greater delay, or maybe I would have missed the boat.” She continues, “If I hadn't attended Children's Media, I would not be here today. I know that for sure.”
Although Michelle initially met Khalilah while in the program, Michelle has ties with the program well before that, as she taught in the very first year of the Children's Media program. Reflecting on the program as a whole, she shares, "What I love about the program is that because it is so specialized, the students are truly passionate about the Children's Media industry, and I share that passion. It really is a very well-rounded program, and graduates come out with a good understanding of the business. The internships are very valuable. I usually bring on 1-2 students every year, and they are smart, hardworking and dedicated."
AUNTY B’S HOUSE IS COMING SOON
Khalilah expresses how appreciative she is about this entire experience, the support from Michelle and those at Headspinner Productions and CBC, and the process of creating the show to the stage it is at today.
Michelle adds, "Khalilah did not have this opportunity handed to her. She worked really hard and was out on her own for many years, establishing the character and the brand and telling her important story. She is what I call a doer, and she is willing to work hard and learn along the way. That is what it takes to make it in this business."
The charisma, authenticity, and enthusiasm Khalilah has brought to her role as Aunty B over the years extend into Aunty B's House, and we are absolutely thrilled for her and this incredible accomplishment. Be sure to keep your eyes on CBC Kids and CBC Gem this fall to see the show come to life on your screen!
Article by: Alexandra Few
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