Connecticut Lottery selects Masuk to film a PSA

The Connecticut Lottery selected 15 of Masuk’s  GAMES(Gambling Awareness in Monroe students to be in a public service announcement that will be aired soon on Connecticut local television stations as well as the casinos.  The students developed the scenarios and acted them out and they also did the “voice overs”.  This taping took place on Thursday, February 5, 2009 in a variety of locations which included:  the gymnasium, the auditorium, the media center, hallways and a variety of classrooms. 
The CT Lottery has been working on behalf of the CT Partnerhsip for Responsible Gambling, a partnership which includes the CT Lottery, DMHAS Problem Gambling Services (PGS) and the CT Council on Problem Gambling.  The Partnership has developed a series of PSAs aimed at youth, women, and families impacted by problem gambling.  This Masuk GAMES initiative was a logical step to work directly with young people to learn from their perspective what would work in getting the word out to youth.

 The crew from Derek Dudek Studio in Wallingford and the adverting agency, Cashman + Katz Integrated Communications of Glastonbury and New York City, arrived at 12:30PM to select locations.  The actually filming began at 2:00 PM at dismissal and ended at 7:00 PM.  The actual PSA will run for 30 seconds at a soon to be determined time.   The process was an amazing one according to Leanne Wooley.  She also, went on to say that she was very happy to have gotten involved with the project. 
The following students were members of the cast:  Chloe Johnson, Adam Bestrom, and Preston Gutelius, all tri-chairs of GAMES.  Also involved were the following members of the leadership group: Michaela Sandor, Leanne Wooley, Kate Gutelius, Kara Glezer, Colleen Holforty, Kelsey Fontneau, Taylor Wesley, Spencer Wesley, Rachel McCloskey, Jasmine Pierce, Jon Belush, and Erica Martino. According to Chloe Johnson, “the directors were very patient, helpful and encouraging.”   It gave her a new prospective and appreciation for the time and amount of work that goes into a commercial.  The process was such an eye opener for her of what is put into the PSAs and how meaningful the messages really are.
GAMES is a partnership of Masuk and the Town of Monroe and DMHAS (the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services) – PG (Problem Gambling Service) and RYASAP (Regional Youth/Adult Substance Abuse Project.