PSA Video Challenge

1What's a PSA?

A Public Service Announcement is a short video that tells people something important for their health, safety, or well-being — and tries to get them to do something about it.

Your PSA can be serious, emotional, inspiring, hilarious, absurd, or completely ridiculous. The only must: people have to understand your message.

Topic ideas:

2Form Your Group — Nobody Left Behind

Everyone is in a production group. Mr. Dopp sets the group size and approves every group.

• Pick a group name and a production leader.
• Give every member a role. You can have more than one.

3Build Your Concept

Before you write anything, your group decides:

1. Title of your PSA
2. Subject — what health topic?
3. Target audience — who needs to hear this?
4. Central message — one sentence
5. Audience reaction — laugh? cry? think? change?
6. Creative style
7. Story synopsis — what happens, start to finish
8. Closing message / call to action — what should viewers do?

💡 Stuck? AI is allowed for brainstorming — ask it for 10 wild ideas on your topic, then make one your own.

4Script & Storyboard

Target length: 60–120 seconds (unless Mr. Dopp says otherwise). Your plan must include:

• A clear beginning, middle, and ending
• A written script or detailed scene outline, with dialogue and narration
• At least 6 planned shots or scenes, each with an estimated length
• Who plays which character
• Camera angles and movement (close-up, wide, pan, slow-mo…)
• Audio and music plan
• Props and costumes list

Storyboard: one box per shot — a quick sketch (stick figures are fine), a photo, or an AI-generated image, plus one line describing what happens.

5Filming Location Plan (Required)

Write down exactly where you'll film:

• Primary location, plus every other location
• Which scenes happen where
• How many minutes you'll spend at each spot
• Props and equipment you'll need there

Mr. Dopp must approve your locations before you film.

6Ready to Film? Checklist

Before filming day, your group must have all of this done and shown to Mr. Dopp. You should know exactly what you're shooting before you walk out the door.

• Group & roles set
• Topic chosen
• Script written
• Storyboard (6+ shots)
• Cast assigned
• Props list
• Equipment list
• Audio plan
• Location plan
• Filming schedule
• Mr. Dopp's approval

🖨 Print these instructions

7Filming Day — ONE Class Period

You get one class period to shoot everything. There is no extra class time for filming. Times below are a guide — Mr. Dopp will adjust them to the period.

• Bring your shot list and check off each shot: Not filmed → Filmed → Retake needed.
• Shoot extra takes and alternate angles whenever you can — editors love options.
• Double-check that every group member's face is on camera before you leave.
• All props, equipment, and filming areas cleaned up before the bell.

8Audio & AI

Audio is strongly encouraged. Think dialogue, narration, background music, an original song, sound effects, dramatic transitions, AI voiceovers, or comedic sound design. Keep dialogue clear and levels balanced. Add captions if speech is hard to hear.

AI IS ENCOURAGED! Use it for brainstorming, scripts, storyboards, music, narration, graphics, effects, and editing.

• Keep a list of which AI tools you used and what you used them for — you'll turn it in.
• AI helps your creativity; it doesn't replace your group's work. Real faces are still required.
• Respect copyright, privacy, and school rules. Never upload someone's face or voice to an AI tool without their permission.

9Editing Week — Outside of Class

After filming you have about one week to finish. No class time is used for editing. Mr. Dopp will give you the exact deadline.

Editing can include cutting and arranging clips, music and sound effects, narration, titles and credits, captions, color correction, transitions, AI effects, and balancing the audio.

You do not need to buy anything. Free options include Clipchamp (Chromebooks & Windows), Canva for Education, iMovie (Apple), CapCut's free version, or your phone's built-in editor.

10Submitting Your Video

⬆ Submit Your PSA Video

1. Export your video as an MP4. A CapCut, iMovie, or Clipchamp project is not a video. Use Export / Save Video first.
2. Name the file: PSA_GroupName_VideoTitle.mp4
3. Tap Submit Your PSA Video and sign in with your school Google account.
4. Fill in your period, first names, and title. Then do one of these:
   • Tap Add file and pick your MP4 (1 GB max), or
   • Already on YouTube? Skip the upload and paste your YouTube link in the link box.
5. Wait for the upload to finish before you tap Submit. Big files on school Wi-Fi can take a few minutes.

Upload not working? Your video may be over 1 GB or not an MP4. Re-export at 1080p (not 4K) and try again.

Also turn in the following the way Mr. Dopp tells you:

• PSA title and group name
• Video link or file, and its length
• Group roster with each person's role
• AI tools you used and how
• A short summary of what each member contributed
• Confirmation that every member appears on camera

Each person also answers: "What did you contribute to this project, and what did you learn?"

11Grading — 100 Points

Everyone is expected to pitch in. Mr. Dopp may adjust an individual's grade based on their actual contribution.

12🎬 The DoppsClass PSA Film Festival

We'll watch the finished PSAs together in class. Students may vote anonymously for awards — you can't vote for your own group. Awards are just for fun and don't affect grades.