Overview:

Everyone deserves to dream. No matter your socio-economic background, race, age, sexual or gender orientation, or your family’s immigration status, the CSU presents everyone with the opportunity to pursue their dream.

When we think about studying the creative arts—film, television, digital media, and more—we’re directed towards NYU, USC, Savannah College, and others; and yes, they’re great schools. But to pay for them, you may need to go tens of thousands of dollars in debt, when there’s a great alternative in your backyard.

Did you know that many of the movers, shakers, and leaders of both legacy and new media companies went to a CSU? Ryan Coogler (Sac State), Eva Longoria (CSUN), Billie Jean King (CSULA), and Steven Spielberg (CSULB) are ALL Cal State Alumni - and there are so many more! And we want to support YOU to be the next to change the face of the entertainment/media industry.

When we think of going into the arts, filmmaking, or any aspect of the entertainment industry, we’re always directed to “think practically,” “How are you going to get a *job* with a theater degree?!?” but sometimes the most impractical thinking yields the greatest results—art, media, and impracticable creativity—allow us to access that bigger dream. A more hospitable planet, a better future for all, and alternative solutions to future problems. Creativity is key to unlocking what’s next for us all.

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The Assignment:

We want you to create a PSA for the CSU. This isn’t just an ad, it’s a piece of personal expression that tells us how YOU got into your CSU, and inspire others to join. 

How has the CSU supported your potential future dreams, or how has it supported you on your future creative journey?

What inspired you to come here? What do you want in your future? What inspires you to keep going?

You can also choose to tell someone else’s story. A person who inspired you to pursue your college dream, or a CSU graduate who motivated you to choose your creative path.

This is a lot to take in, and there are different ways to tell this story. You don’t have to answer all those questions and the type of media you choose to present your ad will determine how you answer them. When deciding what type of ad you want to submit, keep in mind the audience and the message: CSU—we all deserve to dream. How has your CSU journey supported your dreams?

We can’t wait to hear your story!

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Technical Specifications for Different Media Types:

Below are the technical specs that will eventually be used and should be thought about when creating and framing your story – how will it fit within these? Pick one or multiple, but the important part of your submission is the story.

Audio Advertisement (e.g., podcast, radio ads)

• Length: 30-60 seconds
• Script size: 30 seconds (65 words max); 60 seconds (100 words max)
• File type: MP3, WAV or OGG
• Sample rate: 44.1kHZ
• File size: 3-5 MB
• Bit rate: 192kpbs
• Loudness: -16 to -19 LUFS

Digital Ads (e.g., banner ads, pop-ups)

• Sizes: 300x250 (standard rectangle); 728x90 (leaderboard); 160x600 (wide skyscraper); 970x250 (billboard); 320x100 (large mobile)
• File type: JPG, PNG (static), and GIF (animated)
• File size: 150 MB
• Video: MP4
• Length: 15-30 seconds
• File size: 1 MB

Social Media (e.g., Reels, Stories)

·  Platform: Instagram (Video & Carousel)

• Resolution: 1080x1080
• Aspect ratio: 1:1
• Max file size: 4GB (video) or 30 MB (image)
• Video length: 15-30 seconds
• Carousel ads: 2-10 cards
• Frame rate: 23-60 fps

· Platform: Instagram (Story)

• Resolution: 1080x1080
• Min. width: 500 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16
• Max file size: 4GB
• Video formats: MP4, MOV, GIF
• Length: 15-30 seconds
• Frame rate: 23-60 fps

Print / OOH (e.g., posters, billboards)

• Ad size: Multiple
• Resolution: 300 DPI
• File format: PDF (preferred); JPG, TIF or EPS (acceptable)
• Color Mode: CMYK
• Fonts: Embedded or outlined
• Copy: Headline (5-15 words); Body Copy (50-150 words); CTA (2-5 words)

Television Spot (e.g., commercial)

• Format: QuickTime
• Length: Best practice would be to produce :15, :30, and :60 second versions
• Video Codec: ProRes 422 HQ
• Frame Size: 1920 x 1080
• Frame Rate: 23.98
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Sample Rate: 48 kHz

***Reminder: You do NOT need to have these specs done for your proposal. You will be submitting a ONE-PAGE treatment/proposal only. Anything outside of that is optional.

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Creative Brief & FAQs:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KRUDgDO-iaWCEBr7msaZRiN6D087lybz?usp=drive_link

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Submission Deadline:

11:59pm - February 15, 2026

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Point of Contact:

hseppa@calstate.edu

Full instructions can be found at: http://csuentertainment.com/lca576/

1. Please note that you MUST be enrolled prior to submitting any documents. 

Course registration info can be found here: http://csuentertainment.com/lca576/

Once you have read through the information below in its entirety, please start your submission on Submittable. Begin by filling out your information and completing the Internship Agreement -- This is due Sept. 5, 2025.   If you are unable to get the form in by this date, please e-mail us!
 

On this form, there will be a place to send an agreement to your employer, please let them know that they must fill this out and to look for the e-mail through Submittable.


2. After that is submitted, and around a week before your midterm is due, you will receive an e-mail from us through Submittable with a link to an additional form for your Midterm Report. Be sure to USE THAT LINK when you are uploading your midterm report. If you do not receive this e-mail, check your junk mail, if you still have not received it, please contact our team by e-mail and we will be sure to help you out - Due Oct. 25, 2025.


3. After that is submitted, and around a week before your final is due, you will be sent an e-mail with the same process for your Final Report - Due Dec. 10, 2025. This final report submission will trigger the Supervisor Evaluation to be sent.


4. ​​​​​​Supervisor Evaluation - This form is sent directly to the supervisor through your FINAL report near the end of the semester. ​Please remind your Supervisor at least one week before the deadline of Dec. 19, 2025.

Apply for funds to finish your film! 

DEADLINE EXTENDED: All applications are due by 11:59pm - December 15, 2025.
 

Examples of Film Finishing Funds:
 

• Post-Production Color
• Post-Production Sound
• Post-Production Editing
• Music Composing
• Animation
• VFX
• If you are in need of another category of service, please reach out to us before submitting your application - aaniceto-chavez@calstate.edu so we can discuss if it would qualify.

NOT Eligible:
 

• Festival Operating / Application Funds
• Industrial or Corporate Media 

Funding:
 

• Funding is for post-production / film-finishing / project completion.
• Projects that are accepted will need to provide options (with links) for 2-3 potential companies (with $ quotes) on the post-production service needed.
• Projects must include a budget line item for DCP creation so you are prepped for screenings once the film is completed.
• The CSUEA will help review the options and assist in selecting the best fit for your project.
• The CSUEA will pay the vendor directly to avoid any issues on the student's financial aid or scholarship availability.
• We cannot pay charges retroactively. 

What We Cannot Fund:
 

• We do not cover costs retroactively. 
• Media projects other than film or video. 
• General operating expenses of companies or organizations.

Please Note:
 

• You must be a CSU student or recent alum (within the last two years) to apply.
• All films must be completed by March 15, 2026 (if there is an issue with this but you want to apply - please reach out to us - aaniceto-chavez@calstate.edu).
• All awardees will be required to provide a review link to their finished film by March 16, 2026 (if there is an issue with this but you want to apply - please reach out to us - aaniceto-chavez@calstate.edu).

There will be an industry screening of all completed films that are granted funding. We will be in touch about the details of this as the time approaches.

If you have additional questions, please reach out to Andrea Aniceto-Chavesz: aaniceto-chavez@calstate.edu

Thank you and best of luck!