Streets, Art, SAFE Film and Poster Competitions Guidelines and Rules
As participants in this program, your students will produce either:
1) a 30-second Filmed public service announcement (PSA) from start to finish (see point 8 below for more specifics on length). They will be responsible for coming up with a concept, storyboarding it, writing a script, filming their PSA, editing it and presenting it (via on-line submission form) to a panel of esteemed film industry experts for judging.
OR
2) a poster public service announcement and billboard (PSA). They will also be responsible to make in full and submit it to a panel of graphic design industry experts for judging.
Throughout this process, students will have several opportunities to receive feedback and mentoring from these experts.
All poster and filmed PSAs must meet the following criteria:
First and foremost, be creative! Your imagination is the limit on how you portray your chosen topic. Including, but not limited to, for film PSAs: news-style reporting, acting out a specific scenario, scenic without actors, animated, etc. For poster PSAs: hand-drawn posters, creative use of text and fonts, photography, graphic illustrations, etc.
The topic is chosen from SAFE’s provided list or specially approved during registration (there is a section for this). For the film competition, the treatment must then be approved as part of registration.
Students are put into groups by their teachers and compete in that one group. They are allowed to compete individually if they choose, but only on the one submission. Each student may contribute in any way they can: whether through scriptwriting, editing, acting, photography, font design, or other function. It takes a team!
The word "accident" is not language to be used in reference to traffic incidents. It makes them sound “inevitable” and, by implication, not preventable when, in fact, they are. Instead, neutral terms such as "collision" or "crash” should be used.
In making your PSA, the laws of your area must be followed, and no lives endangered. This would include using a seatbelt, not speeding, not driving distracted or under the influence, and other such regulations. Use your imagination and artistry to portray traffic violations without breaking them yourself. Keep your creative team and your fellows safe. (Any PSA that violates this will be automatically disqualified.)
Your PSA may not contain language or content that would prohibit it from being aired on national television.
PSAs must be non-discriminatory. They may not portray any particular ethnicity, gender orientation, or religion in a negative light. Be kind and inclusive in your creations.
Film PSAs are to be 30 seconds (or slightly shorter) in length, including a 4-5 second closing graphic with a SAFE logo and acknowledgement to program sponsors (provided by SAFE).
Poster PSAs need to be submitted in both a vertical and horizontal format - suitable for posters and billboards. The size is to be 12x18.
PSAs are to be original content. If they contain borrowed footage, photos, music, lyrics, etc, permission must be attained for their use with that permission sent to Streets, Art, SAFE. By sending in your submission you are agreeing that you have the rights to all footage, music, lyrics, etc or have secured permission for their use.
Follow local laws and regulations concerning COVID-19 safety precautions if they are in effect.
The following applies to the final Red Carpet Awards Ceremony, not the regional awards. Students (or a representative) of overall winning entries must be in attendance at the Streets, Art, SAFE Red Carpet Awards Ceremony in order to receive their award. Notifications will be sent out in advance of those who are nominated.
Final PSA Submission Use and Distribution
After the PSAs are submitted, judged and awarded, next comes the fun part of getting them distributed and into use for the purpose of making roads safer for all road users and modes of transportation!
Final PSA submissions will be used by Streets Are For Everyone and their partner organizations for the purpose of education on road safety and popularizing the use of all modes of transportation - cycling, walking, taking transit, etc.
By submitting your work, you are giving permission to Streets Are For Everyone and their partner organizations to use them indefinitely. This includes, but is not limited to, at presentations, on SAFE’s own or affiliated social media or video channels, on it's own website or affiliated websites and other such media channels, on local or national television as an educational resource, in theater presentations or workshops, and similar. The the school where the PSA was created will be acknowledged.
