South Florida children's book author seeks to bring holiday joy to military families with new film
MIAMI — This is sure to get you in the holiday spirit and make "Miami Proud."
The children's book "POMP, SNOW, and CIRQUEumstance" is coming to life as a holiday movie. Dream Studios in Pompano Beach is producing a television film version of the book, which is a holiday story about three characters and is designed for military families and kids on military bases.
Neil Goldberg, who founded Dream Studios and co-wrote the book, grew up in a military family. It's his passion to give back, especially to children.
"I was one of those children that was looking for outlets that didn't necessarily exist when I needed them," he said. "So anything I can do to facilitate sparking the imagination of young people is something that I'm passionate about."
He said artists will come to South Florida from around the world to film in front of a green screen and on stage. Filming starts on October 1 and the movie hits screens in December as a holiday TV special.
The book has already come to life off screen. Goldberg has an ongoing relationship with Armed Forces Entertainment, which provides performances for U.S. troops and family members around the world. For years they've been sending artists to bases for live readings and shows for kids.
"They make sure that children and families at bases around the world are entertained and can celebrate just the way we do here at home," Goldberg said. "What we don't think about is all these families that have their children on military bases and are isolated in sometimes remote parts of the world - so this is a contribution really special to my heart."
Since the performers can't travel to bases this year, kids who love the book will be able to watch — and be inspired — on the big screen.
"The greatest reward that I've received are the letters and the notes from the children on military bases that they send after they hear the book reading, after they read the book," Goldberg said.
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