Pandemic PSAs (2015)

8th grade

Your PSA (1-2 minutes) must be potentially usable by a school district to educate one of its constituents (parents, students, teachers, principals, custodians, etc.) about the some infectious disease-related issue. The best projects will be submitted to the WCSD.

See sample PSAs HERE

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

TENTATIVE DUE DATE SCHEDULE

Wed/Thurs 4/15 or 4/16 Steps 1 & 2 (Call to Action & Approach): DUE

Friday 4/17: Begin script

Friday 2/24: Finished scripts for check-in/Begin Storyboards DUE

Wed/Thurs 4/29 or 4/20 Storyboards for check-in DUE

Friday 5/1 Begin filming (class time)

Wed/Thurs 5/5 or 5/6 Filming (class time)

Wed/Thurs 5/13 or 5/14 Draft PSAs for presentation DUE

Friday 5/15 Filming revisions (class time)

Monday 5/26 Final PSAs for presentation DUE

SAMPLES FROM MR. SLATER'S CLASS