PSA Basics

Our goal is to create a Public Service

Announcement…

…that has an engaging story…

…is informative…

…is geared towards the proper audience…

…and has a call to action.

4 steps towardmaking great

PSAs

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3

4

Step 1:the PSA format

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The goal of a PSA is to…

Inform & Change

How do PSAs differ from commercials?

No Selling + Factual

How do PSAs differ from technical reporting?

Shorter & for a general audience

Step 2:Presentation

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Variety is interesting

Extreme Close Up

Close Up

Medium Shot

Wide Shot

Extreme Wide Shot

Rule of 3rdsCreates a sense of balance

Adds complexityMakes the composition more dynamic

Rule of 3rds

Sound

Check sound with headphonesShoot in quiet locationsCheck the sound meter in the cameraStop and listen to the sound around youRecord narration indoors if possible

Step 3:Problems

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3

Don’t just argue louder.

Motivate, then educate!

The curse of knowledge

Approach from the outside

Step 4:Storytelling

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3

4

How do you engage an audience?

LogicEmotionHumor

Keeping it accurate and interesting

Inaccurate Accurate

Interesting

Boring

Comedy & Movies

DocumentariesWhy would anyone try to make this?

Perfect Balance

Who is your audience?

Different audiences respond to different approaches

The call to actionThe main goal of any PSA is to get people

to change their behavior!

Suggest easy changesLet them find

more information

Give them a reason to change

Let’s Review!

Make sure to use filmmaking techniques to support your message.

Don’t forget about your audience. They may not know as much as you do.

The best way to engage an audience is by using humor and emotion to tell a story.

PSAs are used to inform an audience about a problem and motivate them to change their actions.