Project Brief

The project context, topic, approach, and problem are set forth in a brief that defines the parameters of the project. If the brief is too broad, students will lack direction and generate diffuse problems. If the Brief is too restrictive, students may not feel a sense of agency and ownership in the projects.

Public Service Announcements (PSAs) have evolved into a powerful communication tool, existing at the intersection of art, film, advertising, and rhetoric. Initially surfacing during World War II to inform and mobilize the public, PSAs have metamorphosed into vital components of social campaigns, tackling issues from public health to environmental concerns. Embedded within the cultural fabric, PSAs not only reflect but also influence societal values, serving as transformative agents. Their concise and impactful messages resonate across diverse communities, contributing significantly to shaping public consciousness. Importantly, PSAs have dynamically responded to the cultural context, racial understanding, and socio-political environments of their times. The examination of PSAs from a critical standpoint involves dissecting not only their rhetorical strategies, visual elements, and narrative structures but also understanding how they navigate the complex terrain of cultural diversity and socio-political nuances. In this project we will explore the history and technique behind PSA’s, discuss their cultural context and significance, and explore stop motion animation as a tool for creating meaningful and effective PSAs in our communities.

Schedule

Tentative

• Week 10: Intro Exercise: Craft: The Power of Animation

• Week 11: Framing the Project (Presentation and Critique of Intro Exercise), Precedents, Brainstorming

• Week 12: Team Ideation

• Week 13: Desk Crits

• Week 14: Finalizing the Project

• Week 15: Presentation

Exercises