PSA Project Blog Entry #4

Where is your group in the video production process? What needs to be completed? What is working out well? What have been the obstacles?

As of right now, our group is still in the planning stage of our video production process. We are just figuring out what days we're going to be filming, which people (and animal) we're going to be using in our PSA. We are also deciding what days we're going to film, and figuring out when to call and rent video cameras. We've also assigned different jobs for each person, for example I am responsible for some of the fiming, and bringing some of the props.

We need to film our PSA. We haven't called into MTN yet and reserve cameras, because we're still deciding which days we are filming. We are planning to do most of the filming over Thanksgiving break, so we need to call in and reserve the camera for those days.

Our planning has worked out really well. For the most part, we have all had similar ideas, so figuring out what our actual PSA is going to look like, and the specific shots we're going to be using, haven't caused any arguments.

The time until the due date has proven to be the biggest obstacle so far. The final date is sneaking up on us and we have yet to do any actual filming. I think that filming and getting the project done and edited on time will end up bring the biggest obstacle for my group.

Falling Polar Bears Blog

I think that my group is doing what we should in order to create a good PSA. One of the main things that I got out of the falling polar bears blog is that the visual is usually a lot more important than and audio in a PSA. The visuals are what sticks with the audience, so when making a PSA we should try watching it without the audio and see if we still get the same message. I feel like we don't need to change much, because we rely very little on the audio in our PSA, our message is mainly expressed through the shots. Our PSA is going to be effective because we're comparing texting and driving to many things that you wouldn't even consider doing behind the wheel.

PSA Project Blog Entry #3

 What has been the most challenging part of the PSA project thus far?

I would have to say that the most challenging part of this project so far has been the whole process of pitching our idea and making our storyboard. We had to change a lot about our PSA, so coming up with new things was difficult, but I am pleased with our new ideas. Also, coming up with the specific camera shots for each scene in our PSA was very difficult. Having to be that specific and detailed was difficult, but now that we have the story board all written out, the actual filming and editing is going to be a whole lot easier.

PSA Project Blog Entry #2

Overall, how did your group's pitch go—reflect and evaluate? Is your message of public/community interest? Who is your target audience and how will your form/style appeal to them?

I feel like our pitch went okay, we were all a little nervous so it took a while to get started. We were a little unsure about which exact shots we are going to use in our actual PSA, but I think that we did a decent job going over the general idea. Our PSA did change a bit, since our PSA is supposed to be kind of funny in the beginning with the dog driving and then blindfolded person, after our pitch we took out the drunk driver because it didn't really fit with the funny mood it's supposed to have. We got some good feedback, and we're taking it into consideration when we begin to make our PSA.

Our message is definitely of interest. It's a huge topic that affects everyone, whether you're in the car with someone who's texting and driving, in a different car, or just a pedestrian walking down the street. We felt that the general public doesn't really take texting and driving as seriously as they should. By comparing it to having your dog driving, or being blindfolded behind the wheel, we're showing that texting and driving is just as crazy and reckless as doing either of those things. You would never do either of them, so why would you ever text and drive?

Our target audience is every driver out there. Texting and driving ads are mostly directed toward teenagers. However, when I look over to the car next to me and see someone texting at a red light, it's not usually the teens that are guilty. There are so many adults that text while driving too, but many ads are directed toward teens because it's thought that since most adults have been driving for longer than teens have, that they can handle texting behind the wheel when truthfully, they can't. To make it appeal to adults as well, I think we're going to have one of our parents play the role of the texting driver in our PSA, to show that it's not just teens that are guilty of this, and that the law applies to everyone.