PHL17 PSA Challenge

Break out your smartphones because here's your chance to sparkle on screen! We're thrilled to announce we will be continuing our partnership with PHL17 for a special PSA (Public Service Announcement) challenge. Craft a 30-second video showcasing your organization's mission and impact for a chance to be featured on air.

The Foundation will select ten "finalists" to air on PHL17 from the videos submitted by the March 30 deadline. The PHL17 weekday morning news will air one finalist video per day starting on April 14. Viewers will be encouraged to vote on the PHL17 website for their "favorite" PSA out of the ten finalists. Then, on May 7, the winning PSA will be shown, and the organization will be interviewed during the PHL17 morning news.

The PSA should promote your nonprofit organization and should not include a mention of Delco Gives so it can air throughout the year. Videos should be submitted without a music track. PHL17 may also post all of the PSAs submitted on their website after Delco Gives. 

Videos must be submitted by March 30!

To submit your 30-second video, fill out this form and drop your video file directly into this Google Drive folder. 

If you have any questions about this, contact Lindsay (lwoodruff@delcofoundation.org).

Notes:

-Ensure your video matches the specifications outlined in this document.

-Videos should NOT mention Delco Gives (we want them to be evergreen for you).

-Do NOT include music. PHL17 will add in the music. You can upload a music track as a reference that you want them to try to match.

-Please ensure you have releases for anyone appearing in your PSA. Here is the release for adults and the release for minors. You will hold on to the releases on your end. 

If you encounter any difficulties with this process, feel free to reach out to Lindsay (lwoodruff@delcofoundation.org) for assistance.

Tips

Below are some tips for getting started.

Free or cheap programs in which to edit your video: 

Canva

iMovie

Adobe Rush

Video:

-Use something as simple as your iPhone

-Don't backlight, make sure light is coming from the front

-Ensure the camera is turned sideways/landscape

Audio

-Don't let your audio get too loud (modulate), if you are using an editing program that shows the audio levels, make sure you stay in the green zone. If it is in the red zone, turn it down at that part. 

-Don't use music, PHL17 will add that if you tell them the mood you are going for so that they can ensure whatever is used is rights-cleared

Graphics

-You can use graphics throughout. 

-Some people put the website or name of the organization or logo on the bottom throughout the spot

-Maybe use "lower thirds" graphics on the lower part of the screen to identify a person or place.

-Maybe use a QR code

-Make sure titles are "title safe" nothing too close to the edges or it will get cut off when broadcast

Script/Timing of PSA

-In the first 5-10 seconds, Hook the viewer. Maybe use a question.

-In the next 10-15 tell them the info you want them to know

-In the last 5-10 (this is what they will remember), do your 'call to action'

General Tips

-Make sure the length of the PSA is EXACTLY :30 otherwise it will be cut off. 

-Make it 'evergreen' promoting just your nonprofit, so you can use into the future (don't include promotion about Delco Gives)

-Think of who your audience is and what language you might use to reach them

-Ensure you have permission or a written waiver for anyone appearing in your PSA (different form for minors)

-Think of the emotion you are trying to make the audience feel, how will you get them to feel that? 

-Who in your organization would be good for a voiceover to represent your message?

-Be concise, too many words and people won't take it all in. 

-Get creative! If you can't show the people you are serving, can you represent what you do differently? 

-Use sounds to build your story

-Use graphics/ text on screen

-Use simple images or pictures