Capstone Blog Post #2: PSA Intent

"How to write a public service announcement"
Comments: This article helped clarify what a PSA is. It helped to know that a PSA is like a persuasive commercial that promotes a non-profit organization while raising awareness of that organization and what it does within the community. Planning a PSA follows the same steps of writing a regular commercial: message, script, music, etc. It also takes into consideration the target audience and utilizes emotions to urge the audience to take a specific action.

PSA #1:
No Kid Hungry PSA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RUYkzJio24
This PSA conveys a serious topic about children hunger while keeping a light tone that exudes positivism and hope by the music in the background and strong tone of the voice over. The film itself had children holding up signs while the narrator says the words, "Don't ignore the signs." At the end of the PSA, a course of action is suggested along with a screen displaying information about the nokidhungry organization and foodnetwork partnership. It is effective in using children in the video that may strengthen the message;however, personally, it does not leave a lasting impression.

PSA #2:
It's On Us PSA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNMZo31LziM
This PSA brings awareness to sexual assault as well as challenging the audience to do their part in stopping sexual assault from happening. The serious tone of the music and voices match the seriousness of the message. With the use of famous faces to further sponsor this video, it intrigues audience members to pay closer attention. As mentioned before, PSAs are similar to commercials and can effectively use the same persuasive methods commercials use.

My PSA:

• What are the key points you will emphasis? 

The key points I'd like to emphasis are the financial struggles of the families and the additional hardships of affording healthcare needed as well as effectively using technology as a solution for this issue.

• What visuals and audio are appropriate? 

With the concept of gaming as a solution, I'd imagine the tone of the PSA to be lighter and less somber, mimicking the tone of the first PSA example I researched. Visually, I'd like a more simplistic scene for the audience to truly focus on my message rather than getting lost in what's on the screen.

• What type of PSA you will use? 

My PSA would be raising awareness of the financial struggles of today's economies for lower class familes as well as the possibility of using technology and gaming as a solution for many more pressing issues.

• Outline of proposed structure. 

Text overs, no voices, music.
Simplistic visuals, create own graphics
Start with economic facts, go into problem with physical therapy, go into solution with gaming

Blog Entry #1: Capstone Statement of Intent

a) The goals of this project is to bring awareness to and attempt to resolve the insufficient resources allocated towards providing the necessary physical therapy rehabilitation programs to families with low incomes.

b) This issue is important because it affects thousands of struggling families in the United State's economy and allows for advances to a efficient technological age. Unplanned incidents occur and you never know what situation you could be in. By being able to afford physical therapy that is needed to get better, families can focus on other aspects of their lives.

c) Aiming towards becoming a video game developer, I am needed to solve different problems with the use of my knowledge and resources available. Personally having experienced the hardships of supporting a family member through physical therapy needed to recover from a sport's injury, I found a problem that needed solving.

d) My project gives back to a community often overlooked. If I am successful in at least getting on the right track to solving my identified issue, families can easily access physical therapy rehabilitation programs at a lower cost as well as provide precedent to making other treatments available in a home setting.