Our PSA highlights the serious problem of gambling addiction, which is increasingly affecting young people in Kazakhstan.We chose this topic due to its relevance in our social circles, as we know individuals who have experienced the negative effects of gambling firsthand. The purpose of the PSA is to raise awareness about the dangers of gambling and emphasize the importance of seeking help in time. The story follows the main character, China (Chingis), as his gambling problem grows and leads to devastating consequences. It the aims to encourage viewers to recognize the signs of addiction and take action early on.

Meruyert and I started our work procees with working together on a draft of our video. We wrote a rough draft of the script and divided it into parts to refine it further. I was responsible for the second half of the video. Our script included detailed dialogues, settings for our video, visual effects, and the mood we wanted to create. The script clearly defined the transitions between scenes, such as the shift from excitement to internal conflict as Chyna deals with the consequences of his addiction.

One of the most difficult tasks was to effectively convey the emotions of the main character. We wanted to convey his feelings of curiosity, excitement that transformed into anxiety, and guilt through camera angles and facial expressions. We used close-up shots to highlight China's emotional struggle and the the slight changes in China's facial expression as his addiction worsened.For example, when he decided to quit gambling, a close-up shot in the mirror showed his determination to change. We also used lighting and sound to to convey emotions in the plot. For example, we used darker lighting and high-angle shots of him in his room to show his emotional decline, symbolizing loss of control and isolation. The long-range shots in later scenes showed his vulnerability and emotional breakdown. According to Hilliard (2015), camera angles can influence viewers' perception of a character, and we employed this information to make China's internal struggle visually clear. Sound design has also made a significant contribution to the story. We started with calm music to reflect Chin's initial feelings, then moved on to fast, intense music in moments of stress to show his growing desperation and then to a hopeful music when the main character started to climb out of addiction. Hilliard (2015) notes that sound enhances emotional depth, and we made sure that the music matched China's ups and downs, immersing the audience deeper into his experiences.
After filming, we focused on editing. Meruyert handled most of the editing, ensuring the visuals and sounds were were harmoniously combined with each other. She also refined the pacing of the video to build tension more effectively and allow for a stronger emotional payoff in the later scenes.
In conclusion, this PSA aims to raise awareness about gambling addiction through a combination of visual storytelling, sound design, and emotional appeal. By focusing on a real and relatable issue, we hope to engage viewers and encourage them to recognize the signs of addiction and seek help before it’s too late. According to Gee and Hayes (2011), effective media requires a deep understanding of the audience’s emotional responses, and I believe our PSA was able to handle this task.