Project #3: PSA Concept

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This video will be created in honor of the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence. You can visit their website here:
http://www.nccadv.org/

My concept will be to create a simple cartoon with a drastic turn around: to the outside world what looks like a happy family can really be a house of horrors. We all know the child abuse ads in which a young person is/has been physically abused, but we are rarely see verbal abuse, which studies have shown is prevalent in as many as 35% of American households.

I intend to draw attention to the emotional, psychological side of verbal abuse. Even without using fists a parent can scare their children from ever trusting them for love, care, and support.

Even as children we all have the "fight-or-flight" instinct. When a child is verbally abused, or exposed to it, they often bottle it up and let it build. This often forces them to recede into their mind and find a happy place to escape the violence.

Video tutorial I will base my animation on: Ross Plaskow

FIRST SCENARIO:
A princess in a castle guarded by a dragon.
Knight in shining armor swoops in
Knight Fights off dragon
Knight saves princess
Princess hugs him tight

SECOND SCENARIO:
Young boy is fighting off undead pirates
He's losing, looks scared
Pirate captain swoops in
Captain fights them all off with young boy by his side
They celebrate their victory
Boy jumps into his arms

THIRD SCENARIO:
Little girl is in danger (house on fire? stuck in a tree?)
Super hero (a woman) swoops in
Heroin saves her
They fly off together
Little girl looks very happy

FINAL SCENARIO:
(Reality sets in)
A little girl is sitting in a dark corner
Hands over her ears, head down
Tears dripping from her face
Parents fighting, doors slamming - graphic dialogue, very hurtful language
One parents starts shouting about the child
Child curls up even tighter,
It becomes apparent the wonderful fantasies were all happening in her head

Message pops up on screen along the lines of:
"Your child needs a hero. Don't be the monster."
"Don't be the monster. Be their hero."
"Be their hero. Not the monster."

Inspiration videos: