Tools
...for tagline creation
Create a Tagline
Printable | Google Doc
...for scripts/storyboards
PSA Script Outline
Printable Storyboard Template
Google Slides
Canva app
....for finding multimedia
...finding visual elements
...finding audio elements
...editing video
...for editing audio
...for creating/editing images
Photo editor
Canva app
...crediting sources
What's this mean?
Collections marked with the "creative commons" symbols represent collections designed for creative sharing. Learn more about creative commons and how it works in our guide:
Copyright, Copyleft and the Creative Commons
Public service announcements (PSA's) are short messages intended to inform and persuade the general public. These announcements are distributed via public media, mail, and posters, or broadcast via video or audio channels to reach the largest possible audience. More recently, social media, because of it's viral nature, has become a platform for people to share PSAs in a variety of formats.
Broadcast media (radio and television) are required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to serve "in the public interest," so many will donate up to a third of their commercial air time each day to airing PSAs for no charge. The people who appear in PSAs, celebrity or not, get NO paycheck.
| Television
Because these announcements are "ready-to-air" and sent to television and radio stations to fill defined time slots, they are generally exact in length.
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Radio Pre-recorded spots are generallu 30 second spots. |
Print
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Public Service Announcements (PSAs) should be simple, calling the viewer to action. They are generally structured like this:
- narration (voiceover) of images
- dramatization of events
- interview with expert, witness, or victim
- calls viewer to action
- is simple to remember and hard to forget
- contact information
- credits
- disclaimers.
Many stations will avoid broadcasting PSAs that are promoting controversial ideas.
PSAs are more effective at changing individual behaviors than at changing public policy.