Schedule a Free Public Service Announcement (PSA) in January 2014

A Public Service Announcement (PSA) is a message in the public interest disseminated by the media without charge. There are two primary components:

1. First is the production of the PSA
2. Second is the PSA’s distribution

In this special January 2014 opportunity, both are being provided by Our Ventura TV and Ventura’s local TV and media center, Community Access Partners of San Buenaventura (CAPS), for no cost..

Our Ventura TV will be producing 60-sec PSA’s that will be frequently broadcast through the end of 2014 on Ventura cable channel 6 TV, throughout Ventura County on digital cable channels, as well as online at OurVentura.com. Additionally, the PSA’s will be distributed via social media networks such as YouTube, Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter. Each online PSA will be the same content as broadcast on TV and each client is welcome to use the online version freely for their own website or social networks. The online version will be in high definition and the TV version will be standard definition, which means the online version will be higher quality.

Please note: This unusual opportunity will result in a significant amount of exposure for your message on local TV in 2014 (and will remain online, as well).

DEADLINE: midnight on January 31, 2014

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS FREE PSA PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION?

Requests from the following entities are the most eligible.

• Nonprofits in Ventura County who serve the public interest.
• Businesses in Ventura County “may” qualify, as long as they have a noncommercial message that is of public interest.
• Artists, authors and other individuals who have a noncommercial, public-benefit message may also submit a request.

WHAT IS THE APPROVAL CRITERIA?

First and foremost, each message needs to be noncommercial and of public interest.

Secondly, we want to work with friendly, responsible entities and advocates who represent diverse messages. Which means if we have already approved a PSA with a similar message, your PSA may not be approved.

Additionally, to keep things efficient, simple and fun, we want to work with clients who are responsive communicators. For example, if a client gets approved and scheduled for a PSA production but is slow or unresponsive to later communications about the script or any matters leading up to the production date, they may be notified that someone else has been scheduled in their spot.

Although we intend to fulfill as many free PSA requests as our resources allow, it is conceivable we may be stretched beyond our production capacity and will not be able to produce all requests.

Hence, final approval rests with the Executive Producer of Our Ventura TV.

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SCRIPT?

The details of what to include in the PSA will vary with each message. However, a concise statement or story with a website address and/or phone number would be pertinent for most productions.

Your PSA may incorporate a noncommercial logo, or photos/videos relevant to your message.

An important point is to keep the message simple, concise and memorable. Cramming too much information into a 60-sec PSA will not provide a memorable experience for the viewers.

Some scripting help may be made available at no cost.

The Executive Producer of Our Ventura TV will maintain final approval over scripts.

WHAT KIND OF GRAPHICS, PHOTOS AND VIDEOS CAN BE INCLUDED?

Supporting graphics, photos and videos should be professionally produced and suitable for high-definition video production.

Such graphics, photos and videos will need to be presented the day of the recording. They may be presented on CD, DVD or flash drive and should be clearly marked with your name and contact details. (However, they will not be returned).

If there are recognizable people in any of the visual assets, then a printed release form will need to be presented on the scheduled recording day, along with the visual assets. (Visit the following link for a free Talent Release Form).

There is also no guarantee that the supporting material will be used, especially if the visuals do not represent an acceptable quality.

However, it should be emphasized that supporting graphics, photos and videos are not required.

DOES THE SCRIPT AND PSA NEED TO BE EXACTLY 60 SECONDS?

No. They can be shorter and even a little longer. However, any PSA’s over 60 seconds will not be broadcast as frequently throughout the year on TV. It is recommended that the PSA’s be 60 seconds or shorter.

WHO SHOULD PRESENT THE SCRIPT?

Ideally, it would be someone in your organization or whoever is advocating the message. Although not a requirement, it may be a good idea for most organizations to have an executive or spokesperson as their presenter. However, if you wish to hire a professional or other presenter, you may do so.

HOW LONG WILL THE PRESENTER BE VISIBLE IN THE PSA?

• For the simplest PSA, the presenter will be visible the entire 60 seconds.
• For other PSA’s, the presenter may be visible for a few seconds only and during the rest of their PSA, graphics or supporting video will be visible. (The video at the top of this page would be such an example).
• In some PSA’s, the presenter may not be visible at all. In this case their audio will serve as a voice-over narration that accompanies supporting video and images.

CAN THERE BE MORE THAN ONE PERSON IN THE PSA?

Yes. There could be two and maybe three (pressed closely together).  Bear in mind that the camera frame will be recording a head and shoulders presentation.  For every extra person, there is added complexity and some risk that the script may not be represented as well as desired in the allocated time. This could result in a recording that does not meet the standards for broadcast and publication and will not pass to the final production and distribution process. The PSA productions will be recorded in a TV studio on a very tight production schedule, so it is best to have only one person who is well-rehearsed and who is solely responsible for a good recording in the brief time available to capture the message.

HOW MUCH SHOULD THE PRESENTER REHEARSE THE SCRIPT?

The message should be rehearsed as many times as necessary so that it can be delivered in a relaxed, natural and easy-to-understand manner without referring to notes. For some individuals, rehearsing over a hundred times may be best. For others, a few times will be fine. For most, the number of rehearsals will be somewhere in between. Rehearsing many times in front of a mirror, and/or in front of other persons, and/or in front of a camera on a tripod, prior to the production date, would be a professional tip.

DOES THE PRESENTER NEED TO DELIVER THE LINES IN ONE TAKE?

The presenter will have up to three opportunities to deliver their script. If the presenter and director both feel good about the first take, then no other recording may be necessary. If a presenter wants to deliver the presentation three times anyway, that’s fine, as well. Ultimately, the director will determine which version will be used.

HOW MUCH TIME WILL BE REQUIRED OF THE PRESENTER?

Each presenter should arrive 15min early and will be allotted 10 min for their production, so there is a 25min time commitment. However, most of that time will be spent adjusting the lights, camera, audio, etc., for each presenter. This also means there is no time for the presenter to “practice” on the set. It will be expected that the presenter is fully rehearsed before arrival.

WILL THE PSA BE AVAILABLE ON PHYSICAL MEDIA, SUCH AS A DVD?

Although the PSA will “not” be available as a DVD or other physical media, it will be online and available to anyone who wants it for any purpose. In fact, the online high-definition version will be higher quality than the broadcast version, which is standard definition.

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF PSA TOPICS?

PSA topics are unlimited. But here are a few to serve as examples.

WHEN WILL THE PSA’S BEGIN THEIR BROADCAST ROTATIONS ON LOCAL TV?

Each PSA needs to be scheduled, scripted, recorded and post-produced for online and TV distribution. The TV versions will then be submitted to CAPS TV for regular broadcast through the end of 2014 on Ventura cable channel 6 TV and other digital cable channels throughout Ventura County. The online versions will be available on OurVentura.com and social media platforms.

PSA requests will be accepted in January. Most of the PSA productions will be scheduled for studio recordings in February and March. Post-production will take a few weeks. Hence, the first PSAs are expected to begin their TV rotations in March. The rest of the PSAs will begin to be televised as they are completed over the following weeks. Hence, those PSA’s scheduled the earliest will receive the most TV exposure in 2014.

WHO IS SPONSORING THIS?

This limited-time project is sponsored by the following:

• Our Ventura TV: People doing good things in Ventura County.
• CAPS TV: Your Community. Your Story.
• Skyworks Marketing: Performance Advertising. Online, On-TV.
• PJmurals: We Paint Your World Beautiful.

CAN I ALSO BE A 15min GUEST ON THE REGULAR OUR VENTURA TV WEEKLY SERIES?

Yes. Just click “Contact” and ask to be scheduled as a guest on the regular series and include your topic in your message. The weekly segments are booked on a first-come, first-serve basis. Bear in mind that due to the popularity of the series, at any time there is usually a several month wait before the production date for new requests. Be sure to review the Our Ventura TV Frequently Asked Questions, as well.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PSA’s AND REGULAR OUR VENTURA TV WEEKLY SERIES?

The PSA’s are 60 seconds long and will be broadcast on local TV over and over through the end of 2014. The regular series are primarily 15 minute talk shows that are broadcast several times in one week on local TV. The regular series also includes some programs that are recorded out in the field. Both the PSA’s and the regular series are published online, as well. It also requires less preparation to be a guest on the regular TV series segments, since it’s really a televised conversation. The PSA’s require script approval and rehearsals to ensure proper delivery.

WILL EVERY PSA THAT IS RECORDED BE COMPLETED AND BROADCAST ON TV?

The intention is that every PSA that is recorded will be completed and receive the full benefit of online and on-TV distribution. However, in the event that any presenters are unable to professionally represent their message in the allocated time, or in any way fail to reach an acceptable standard of desired communication, such PSA’s will not be completed in post-production, nor will they be broadcast on TV or published online. Although extremely rare, there is also a possibility of equipment failure that corrupts the recording. In either case, there may, or may not, be an opportunity to re-schedule the recording.

OK, HOW DO I REQUEST A FREE PSA WITH DISTRIBUTION?

It’s a simple process:

1) Sometime before midnight on January 31, 2014, click “Contact” and submit a request for a free PSA. (Please include your topic, but no need for a script at this point). Please be aware that earlier requests will receive priority attention and it’s possible that we might be forced to discontinue accepting scheduling requests before the end of January if the demand exceeds our capacity to deliver.

2) Once your topic is approved, an Our Ventura TV associate will email or call you, usually within 48 hours, to schedule a recording date on a first-come, first-serve basis. The TV recording productions will take place in February and March, 2014, at CAPS TV, which is located at 65 Day Rd., Ventura, CA, 93003.

3) The deadline for script submissions for your 60-sec PSA is two weeks before your scheduled recording. However, it is recommended that scripts be submitted for approval as soon as possible. If you have supporting graphics, they should be noted in the script. Supporting graphics could include a noncommercial logo, professional photos or videos of your activity, personnel, etc. Such visual assets do not need to be delivered until the day of production. They can be provided on a CD, DVD or flash drive. Any signed talent releases of recognizable persons in the visual assets would be provided as a printed form. NOTE: Supporting graphics, photos and video are optional and are not required.

4) Your script will be reviewed before final approval.

5) Finally, the presenter will need to be well-rehearsed for their production and be prepared to have fun!