Yahel Hazan Reveals: "You Won't Believe Who Controls 'Bardugo'"

Two friendly and energetic characters, a humorous cook, and 'Yezer' - a mischievous parrot who loves to spoil everything - what more do kids need to enjoy a program that's just right for their age? When these elements come together in a children's program on 'Tzofia,' the Jewish channel of Hidabroot, and the program emphasizes both adventure and a focused spiritual aspect, it becomes ideal in the eyes of parents too.

An Original and Unique Show

"It is indeed a breakthrough," says Revital Bellali-Tzimring, the creator, director, and head scriptwriter of the series 'Our Station' on Tzofia. "We are currently working on establishing a children's channel under the Hidabroot umbrella," she explains. "This channel will broadcast daily and include new and varied content for children. 'Our Station' is just one of the programs that will appear on the children's channel and will be aired regularly."

In the new program, Revital made sure to involve the main actors Yahel Hazan and Shai Shavit, and placed alongside them the puppet - Bardugo the cook. "This is a cook we invented who comes from an imaginary land, but he is a very positive character, and the whole purpose is to show a positive outlook on life," she explains.

As seen from a sneak peek at the show's first episodes, Shai and Yahel meet each time at a kind of train station, where they have set up a camp inside the building. In each episode, they experience interesting things, including both everyday situations and more special ones related to the lives of children and teenagers.

There is no doubt that the program is very entertaining and amusing. Yahel Hazan shares: "The truth is, I personally have mostly been a theater person and puppeteer until now. I had never acted in front of the camera before, and this is actually my first time," he reveals.

However, Yahel notes that he has participated in many different productions, but he has never encountered a production like that at Hidabroot Studios. "It is so fun and pleasant to work with a team of people who all want one thing - to bring joy to Hashem and invest in adding goodness and fear of heaven to the world. I must say it was a really special experience for me."

In 'Our Station,' Yahel plays the role of... Yahel. "Yes, I'm playing exactly my own character," he says, and it is evident he enjoys this a lot, but he also reveals a behind-the-scenes secret: "I also operate Bardugo's puppet, so essentially I have two roles."

How can you do that technically? There are moments when we see both Yahel and Bardugo on screen...

"Well, since it's really intriguing, I'll reveal the secret entirely: when they shoot the scene from afar, known as a 'long shot,' someone else replaces me and operates the puppet; it could be anyone present in the studio. And when they shoot up close - a 'close-up,' I switch to operate Bardugo. Nevertheless, it's still very complex to play two characters. Often, I find myself operating Bardugo and conversing with myself, meaning with Yahel... It's very confusing. But that's part of the challenge."

Yahel also reveals another secret: "I was the one who invented Bardugo. Revital, our director, is a person who really loves to involve the actors and participants in every step, even during the work on the program. When she told us what it was going to be, I was the one who suggested there should be a puppet, and what kind of puppet? Bardugo's puppet. Later, I also created the puppet because my profession is as a puppeteer. That's also why I'm so connected to Bardugo. I feel like I accompany him from beginning to end."

Tell us about a special experience you had during filming

Yahel recalls a particularly amusing example: "There was a scene in which we wanted to illustrate the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle. We wanted to show how the helmet protects, but we didn't know how. Initially, Revital proposed throwing a watermelon on the floor to show how it breaks apart and then showing how it doesn’t when the helmet is worn, but the spiritual committee of the channel didn't approve, as it could be wasteful. Though it serves a purpose and there's room for leniency, we didn't want to teach kids to do this at home. Later we suggested another idea - breaking a glass jar, but there was also concern there that we might teach children to break things, which is not educational. Finally, on the spot, during the shooting of the scene, the idea struck us to illustrate it using balloons. And so, during the shooting, I asked for a balloon and an artline marker, and without planning anything beforehand, I drew facial features on the balloon like a puppet and began to operate the balloon like you operate a puppet. We put a helmet on the balloon's head and showed how it falls without a helmet and bursts. It was spontaneous and amazing, and it turned out beautifully."

"Only Quality Characters"

Revital emphasizes an important point: "We were very careful to ensure that the leading characters in the episodes, Shai and Yahel, are truly quality characters, even in reality. This allows the children to want to emulate them and identify with them. Because they are not just actors, but they bring themselves to the forefront."

Revital also mentions that they always remember that the audience watching the show is an observant audience who do not have the option of receiving the response of a quality and kosher film in other ways. "Our aim is to provide the children with the most professional and fascinating program, accompanied by all the Jewish and Torah values. Because that's exactly what we are trying to do - bring Torah content in a contemporary, accessible, and colorful way."

How do you achieve that? Give an example.

"For instance, in one of the scenes, we tell about a friend of Shai and Yahel, a boy who always causes trouble and is difficult for everyone to deal with. This boy tries to create conflicts between Shai and Yahel and connects with Yahel. Now a friendship triangle forms with two friends arguing over Yahel until they decide to hold a competition and the winner will gain the friend. And what is the competition about? They try to suggest - maybe on darts, maybe running, and then suddenly the idea strikes them - why hold sports competitions if we can compete with brains, the Jewish brain. Then they hold a competition and check who remembers more Mishnayot by heart. This way we succeed in planting values of interpersonal and between a person and Hashem through the story and its plot."

For what ages is the program intended?

"In terms of the level of jokes and humor, the program is relatively aimed at older ages. I am the one writing the program, and I can attest that only from the age of nine do kids truly understand every word. But of course, younger children also enjoy it because it's a very friendly and fascinating program."

And the question of all questions - when will we start seeing the program?

"It is being released gradually. Until now, two episodes have been aired - one on Purim and the other on Lag B'Omer. The responses have been enthusiastic and very warm indeed. When will the next episodes air? I don't have an exact answer yet, but we are currently working very hard. We have three editing rooms where we are preparing the next seasons, and we are doing everything possible to promote it as quickly as possible and finally meet our dear viewers."