L'Anse Creuse Students Create Don't Drink PSA's

The videos last 30 seconds and take about two weeks to produce, but the message they contain is intended to last a lifetime.   

These public service announcements are only a few of the projects L’Anse Creuse high school students tackle each year in Michael Kaufman’s TV & Broadcast Media class, but they arguably have the greatest impact.

“I like that we have high school students making videos for high school students,” Kaufman said. “They’re thinking about it while they’re producing it and thinking, ‘What would someone like me watch?’ I tell them, ‘What have you seen that has had no effect on you?’ Once they get the clichés out of their heads, they start generating ideas.”

From the first concepts to the final edits, students from both L’Anse Creuse high schools are responsible for every stage of the production process.

“They start generating ideas in the class, and then have to pitch them to me,” Kaufman said. “Then they flesh them into story boards and start to film. Once edited, we take a look at them again and tweak what we want. We really try to make the message work.”

Kaufman added while it may seem easy to produce a 30 second clip, the entire process lasts about two weeks. 

Many of the completed PSAs are entered in the high school film competition, Courageous Persuaders, which charges high school students to create a TV commercial targeted at middle school students to warn them about the dangers of underage drinking.

Winning videos are awarded scholarships and may be broadcast on national TV.

Results for the 2011 competition have not been released, but Kaufman said he is optimistic some of his students will be recognized.

You can view several of these PSAs right here by clicking into the media attached to this article.

Today is also PowerTalk 21 Day, the nationally recognized day that encourages parents to start talking to their children about alcohol.