Storyboards

TV PSA: “Building Your Life” (:60)

A pair of hands stacks blocks on top of each
other, one by one, creating a tower. Each block
has a picture on it.
An off-screen announcer says:
We build our lives one day at a time. Now you’re
10…now you’re 30…and boom—suddenly you’re
50! That’s where colorectal cancer screening
comes in. Screening for this cancer is

recommended for men and women beginning at
50.

your health. Now we see the Screen for Life
graphic with phone and web information.

The announcer says:
Screening can find precancerous polyps so they
can be removed before they turn into cancer.
Screening can also find colorectal cancer early,
when treatment is most effective. There’s so
much more to look forward to…so take hold of

The announcer says:
If you’re 50 or older, get screened. Screening
saves lives.

TV PSA: “Butt vs. But” (:60)

But why
should I get
tested for
colon cancer?

Colorectal cancer
doesn’t always
cause symptoms.

But
I’m only
53.

I’m too young.

I have no symptoms.

Screening is
recommended for
men and women
beginning at 50.

But...

that test

But...

Most colorectal
cancers occur in
people with no
family history.

it doesn’t run in my family.

There are several
kinds of screening
tests for colorectal
cancer…

I’ve been
screened…I had
polyps and they
were removed
before they had
a chance to turn
into cancer!

www.cdc.gov/screenforlife
1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)

A TV screen is divided into several sections…each with a picture—some photos pop on or pop off…
it’s not static. In fact some of the pictures are not photographs but are moving video. We see behinds of
babies, men, women, and a rabbit… many different shapes and sizes.
An announcer who is off-screen says: These butts are all acceptable.
The photo montage disappears and a new montage appears.
The announcer says: These buts…not so much.
Here we focus on one person, who is being interviewed.
She says: But why should I get tested for colon cancer? I have no symptoms.
Some words appear on the screen as the announcer says: Colorectal cancer doesn’t always
cause symptoms, especially early on.
Now a man is being interviewed.
He says: But I’m only 53. I’m too young.
Again words appear on the screen as announcer says: Screening is recommended for men and
women beginning at 50.
Another man is now being interviewed.

He says: But it doesn’t run in my family.
Words appear on the screen and the announcer says: Most colorectal cancers occur in
people with no family history.
Back to the street scene and a woman says: But that test… (she wrinkles her nose and shakes
her head).
Words appear on the screen…the announcer says: There are several kinds of screening
tests for colorectal cancer…talk to your doctor about which one is right for you.
Finally, a man tells the interviewer: I’ve been screened…I had polyps and they were
removed before they had a chance to turn into cancer!
As he finishes, we see the Screen for Life graphic with web site and phone number
information.
The announcer says: No buts about it…this is one cancer you can prevent—talk to your
doctor and get screened. Screening saves lives!

TV PSA: “Generations” (:60)

[A young woman washes a vintage car.
Her father and grandmother approach.]
DAD says: We’re so happy to have you home from college.
Let’s take your new ride out for a spin.
This car’s been in the family such a long time.
DAUGHTER replies: I know…thanks so much for passing it
down to me. Let’s go!
GRANDMOTHER asks: Have you taken the car in for
a check-up?
GRANDDAUGHTER answers: Yup, we’re all set!
You and dad took good care of it.

[The dad turns to his mother]
DAD says: Speaking of check-ups, I’m going to the doctor next
week to ask about getting screened for colorectal cancer. Mom,
have you done it?

The GRANDMOTHER responds: Yes. Look, I’ve been
tested. Even your father did it and you know how he hates going
to the doctor.
FATHER says: Thanks, Mom.

GRANDMOTHER responds: Yes, I got screened! It’s
important. You know my friend Joan?—when she got tested,
they found polyps and removed them. That’s how they prevent
colon cancer.

He turns to his DAUGHTER: You know kiddo,
you’re never too old to ask your parents for advice!
Now we see the Screen for Life graphic with web site and
phone number information.

The GRANDDAUGHTER pipes up: I read it’s the second
leading cancer killer.

The Announcer says:
If you’re 50 or older, get screened for colorectal cancer.
Screening saves lives.

The FATHER, still a little bit skeptical, asks:
So it can be prevented?

TV PSA: “Moving Towards Screening” (:60)

As we see a woman in her 50s, an off camera
announcer says: Here are the facts: Colorectal cancer
is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S..

The announcer says: Screening tests can find
precancerous polyps, so they can be removed before they
turn into cancer.

The announcer concludes: Don’t let the facts pass
by you. If you’re 50 or older, get screened for colorectal
cancer. Screening saves lives.

Now the words appear on screen. The camera moves to
the second person.

The words “precancerous polyps” and “can be removed”
appear on screen. The camera slowly moves to the fourth
person, a man in his 60s.

Meanwhile, we see the Screen for Life graphic with web
and phone information.

The announcer continues: It affects both men
and women. And it doesn’t always cause symptoms,
especially early on.
Again, the words appear as they are spoken by the
announcer. The camera moves on.
The announcer continues: And here’s the important
part—this is one cancer you can prevent.
Now we see another woman.

The announcer goes on: Screening tests can also find
colorectal cancer early, when treatment is most effective.
The words “tests can find colorectal cancer early” appear
on screen. Slowly, the camera moves back and shows the
entire group of people.

TV PSA: “Professional Advice” (Version A) (:60)

www.cdc.gov/screenforlife
1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)

[A man sits behind his desk. A woman sits across
from him.]

The WOMAN responds: Beginning at 50. You’re 50?
The MAN says: Yes, just turned 50.

The MAN puts papers in a file folder and says:
So, it’s all in order now.

SHE says: Don’t wait …you know that colorectal cancer
doesn’t always cause symptoms, right?

The WOMAN says: Thanks. As usual.
[The man nods in response as the doctor continues.]
[She gets up to leave.]
The MAN says: I have a question for you now, Doctor.

And screening finds precancerous polyps so they can be
removed before they turn into cancer?

SHE says: Shoot—

The MAN nods again and says: Okay, I’ll do it.

The MAN asks: I’m not having any symptoms, but when I
should get tested for colon cancer?

[The doctor says, as she reaches the door]
Good idea. I always knew you were smart!

Now we see the Screen for Life graphic with web site and
phone number information.
The announcer says:
If you’re 50 or older, get screened for colorectal cancer.
Screening saves lives.

TV PSA: “Professional Advice” (Version B) (:60)

[A man finishes work on a woman’s car. They are at his
auto repair garage]

She says: Now I’m going to give you some professional
advice.

The man says: You’re all set, Doc. Ready to go.

You should get screened for colorectal cancer. You know
that it doesn’t always cause symptoms, right?

The man smiles—he seems glad the doctor cared enough
to say something. The woman opens the door to get in to
her car.

[Now the man nods his head ‘yes’ and tries to interrupt,
but the woman goes on to say]

Now we see the Screen for Life graphic with web site and
phone number information.

And screening finds precancerous polyps so they can be
removed before they turn into cancer.

The announcer says:
If you’re 50 or older, get screened for colorectal cancer.
Screening saves lives.

The WOMAN asks: How many years have I been
coming to you? 10? 15?
The man says: I guess so.
The WOMAN says: Do you mind if I ask you—
Are you 50 yet?
The man replies: 51.
[The woman nods.]

The man says: Doctor…I’ve already been screened for
colon cancer!

She says: You’re one smart man!!!

TV PSA: “Siblings” (:60)

[A man and a woman are sitting on swings in a back yard.
There’s been a party.]

Janet interrupts:
I got screened when I turned 50. I had polyps.

The man – Richard, says:
Thanks for coming today.

Richard says:
I didn’t know that.

The woman –Janet, responds:
Well, my baby brother is 51!

Janet continues:
They removed them …It was no big deal. I didn’t have any
symptoms…

Richard says:
That makes you?...

Richard tries to interrupt, he says:
Janet…

Janet:
Older and wiser! So listen: You need to get screened for
colorectal cancer.

Janet says:
If I didn’t get tested, it could have turned into cancer.

Richard begins:
well…

Richard keeps trying to get a word in…but Janet
goes on:

Everybody needs to get screened starting at 50.
Richard says:
Janet… I already got screened! I’m fine.
Janet pokes him in the arm playfully and says:
Why didn’t you say so?!
Now we see the Screen for Life graphic with web site
and phone number information.
The announcer says:
Screening saves lives. If you’re 50 or older, see a doctor and
get screened for colorectal cancer.

TV PSA: “Putting It Together” (:60)

On the screen we see a jumble of letters.
Different hands…some female, some male, slowly come
in to arrange the letters into words.
An off-screen announcer says:
It doesn’t always cause symptoms.
It’s the 2nd leading cancer killer of men and women.
Colorectal cancer.
The letters spell out the words: COLORECTAL CANCER
The announcer continues:
But this is one cancer you can prevent.

Next there is a new group of letters, with hands arranging them.
The announcer continues, saying:
Screening tests can find precancerous polyps so they can be
removed before they turn into cancer. And screening can also
find colorectal cancer early, when treatment is most effective.
A new phrase begins to take shape.
As the camera pulls back to reveal the full phrase,
the announcer says:
Screening saves lives.

Now we see the Screen for Life graphic with web site and phone
number information.
The announcer says:
If you’re 50 or older, get screened for colorectal cancer.
Screen for Life.