SEL PSAs (2017)

7th grade

Your PSA (1-2 minutes) must promote either Responsible Decision-Making or Relationship Skills. You may choose related concepts as long as it is clear which of the two larger ideas it connects to.

Scoring Guide attached at bottom of page

PROJECT SCHEDULE

Step 1: Determine Audience & Call to Action

Brainstorm who your audience is. Because each public service announcement reaches only a segment of the viewing audience, you need to decide who most needs to hear it. Depending on your goals, you may want to target the audience most deeply involved in the issue, those with the least information about the topic or people with the most resources to devote to the cause. Decide what you want your audience to do in response to your PSA. The best public service announcements give the audience a call to action, providing a concrete step they can take to further whatever cause you're supporting.

Step 2: Approach

Choose the approach that can best reach your audience. Presenting your PSA as a narrative reaches most audience segments. Beyond that, you need to decide whether you want to appeal to them through logic, authority or emotion and decide which facts they need to hear.

Step 3: Write the Script

Write your script once you have your audience concerns defined. The words are often the most important element of a public service announcement, but your images have to also be compelling. As you write your script, balance the words and images so both convey the same powerful message.

Step 4: Design a storyboard & Cast Your PSA - Go HERE for help

Storyboard your PSA. Design and use simple illustrations how each scene will look. Include locations, props, backgrounds, and all necessary effects. Determine who will be responsible for each. Next, cast your PSA. Though individuals who actually work on the cause that you're supporting are usually the most credible spokespeople, consider how comfortable they are on film. If they're not comfortable, use actors to convey your message.

Step 5: Film Your PSA

Film your public service announcement using the best equipment and crew possible. Let your spokesperson or voice-over artist rehearse in front of the camera before you start official filming. You'll probably need a few takes to get it right, especially if you include narrative elements. Include contact and resource information in the last frame of your PSA. Include at least a website and also a contact person and phone number if appropriate. The contact information helps your audience get more involved in the issue.

Step 6: Revise and Polish Your PSA

Approx DUE DATE SCHEDULE (varies by period: see due date cal)

4/14 Steps 1 & 2 (Call to Action & Approach):

4/14: Begin scripts

4/21 Scripts due

4/26 & 4/27 Storyboards for check-in

4/26 & 4/27; 4/28 , 5/2, 5/3 & 5/4 Filming days

5/10 & 5/11 Draft PSAs for presentation

5/17 & 5/18 Filming revision days

5/22 Final PSAs for presentation

SAMPLES

Pro and non-PGT samples HERE

See sub-links for PGT samples