Public Service Announcement

Lack of Awareness

Software:
Illustrator, After Effects, Figma

Collaboration:
Morgan Guerrieri

Timeline:
8 Weeks

Awards:
Student Exhibition 2024

Final Deliverable:
1 minute Motion Piece
Exhibit for Users to Experience Motion Piece

Sex trafficking is a severe form of human trafficking in which individuals are exploited for sexual purposes. It is estimated that between 600,000 and 800,000 men, women, and children are trafficked every year, with abductions often occurring in plain sight. This Public Service Announcement (PSA) was created to raise awareness of common locations where these abductions may take place, emphasizing how a lack of vigilance and awareness can increase vulnerability.

In today's world, danger often hides in plain sight, extending beyond human trafficking to encompass a wide array of unforeseen threats. This PSA serves as a crucial reminder that peril can manifest unexpectedly, at any time, and in any location. The message is clear: danger does not always wear a visible face, and anyone could be at risk if they aren’t cautious.

RESEARCH

This short film and experience, a collaborative project with Morgan Guerrieri, aims to illuminate the pervasive nature of these dangers, urging everyone to be aware of their surroundings. Through stark visuals and direct messaging, the film encourages viewers to reflect on the importance of staying informed and alert. The message is both sobering and urgent: the next victim could be anyone. By remaining cautious and proactive, we can take steps to safeguard ourselves and those around us.

STORY BOARD

The goal of this PSA was to highlight the hidden dangers of sex trafficking, illustrating how everyday environments can pose unexpected threats. To achieve this, we opted for a stark black-and-white color palette for the video, removing any distractions and focusing solely on the message. Bold typography was chosen to ensure immediate clarity and impact. By combining high-contrast visuals with unsettling statistics, the design aims to provoke an emotional response and urge the viewer to remain vigilant. We drew inspiration from a rest stop bathroom, a common location for trafficking. The excessive amount of spray paint on the walls was informed by research and statistics about trafficking around the world. Every design element was crafted to reinforce the core message: danger can be closer than it seems.

PROTOTYPE

We initially built a working low-fi prototype out of cardboard. At the end of the semester, we decided to create a real-life model of the bathroom stall to emphasize the importance of the topic. We embedded our short film into a fully functional bathroom stall made of foam board covered in graffiti. The process of making this stall involved extensive preparation and brainstorming to create something sturdy enough to function as a bathroom stall with a door, while still being light enough for transportation and setup.

FINAL BUILD

INSIGHTS

Creating a film from scratch was a new process for both Morgan and I. We spent considerable time exploring filming options and addressing the various challenges we might face.

When editing the film, we incorporated many black screen transitions. We learned about the fleeting nature of a blink and how to visually represent that with the timing of our clips, which required double editing the entire video.

Building the final bathroom stall piece took significant time as we brainstormed materials and sizing for easy transport between home and school. I was able to use power tools (with assistance from my dad) to make the necessary cuts in the foam board. It was a valuable learning experience to see an idea on paper come to life, along with all the time and effort that went into the finished project.