Today we’re going to be refining the concept behind your PSAs and creating storyboards.

Collecting the meat of your PSA:

  • The Concept:
    • First: Consider your target audience’s needs, preferences, as well as the things that might turn them off. They are the ones you want to rally to action. The action suggested by the PSA can be almost anything. It can be spelled out or implied in your PSA, just make sure that message is clear.How will you present your public health concern to your audience?
    • Second: Consider how you’ll grab your audience’s attention. You might use visual effects, an emotional response, humor, or surprise to catch your target audience. Be careful, however, of using scare/humor tactics.  If using humor, will your presentation offend any audiences? If using sincerity, will your presentation disturb any audiences?  Think carefully about presentation! Sometimes using a strong visual–an egg getting smashed in a kitchen or a family photo being dropped/shattered–can be more persuasive than staging a drama between two people.
    • What is the purpose of your PSA? To inform? To persuade? To warn? To activate? Does your purpose match your presentation? Remember, PSAs create a forum for people to actively participate in a project that allows them to become stewards of — and advocates for — some form of social change.
  • The Script/Storyboard:

    • First: a definition. A storyboard is a visual narrative of your PSA, very much like a comic book. You’ll have to create a concise storyboard with script to craft your PSA
    • Second: A 30-second PSA will typically require about 5 to 7 concise assertions. You’ve done your research; now highlight the major and minor points that you want to make. Create a script and keep your script to a few simple statements. What are the key points you need to make for your audience? List them here.
    • Third: Make a Storyboard! How will you “frame” each of your assertions? Will their be characters acting a script? Will you use still images? Create a story board with a concrete frame for each of your assertions. If you want to include dialogue, over-dubbing, or text, provide a key that explains what information will be conveyed in each of your “frames.”

    SHARE and Critique

  • For the rest of class I want each of you to share your concept, script and storyboard with your group.
  • Group mates: take notes while listening to each concept. What questions arise as he or she describes her concept, script, and assertions? Is the information conveyed clearly? How effective is this PSA concept? What suggestions do you have for improvement?