Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Ben Atherton-Zeman - Feminist, Actor and Husband" <>]

Need an idea for Sexual Assault Awareness Month?  Do you have access to video 
cameras and an editing studio?

I've always wanted to record the following public service announcements about 
consent, but have never had the time nor the resources.  If anyone likes 
them, or likes the idea and wants to run with it in their own way, please 
feel free to do so.  All I ask is that I get to use the finished product in 
my play!  

PSA #1: This first scenario is inspired by a scene from the play, "Until 
Someone Wakes Up."  But instead of coffee, the scene is at a restaurant with 
a wine bottle.  

Scene of an expensive restaurant, man and a woman sitting at a table, dressed 
formally.  She is wearing a light colored dress.  Bottle of wine is on the 
table.

Man: Would you like some wine?
Woman: Sure, thanks!
(Man pours wine)
Woman: That's enough, thanks.
(Man continues to pour)
Woman: I said that's enough!
(Man upends bottle, wine makes a "glug glug" sound and splashes all over the 
white tablecloth, all over her light dress.  Woman leaps up, dress stained.)
Woman: HEY!  I said to stop!
Man: Yeah, but first you said you wanted some.  I mean, you looked really 
thirsty.  I got confused.

Male Voiceover (as they continue to argue): Guys, we're not stupid.  When 
someone says, "no," to sex or to fooling around, or if they just seem 
reluctant or hesitant - we should stop.  We shouldn't keep pushing.  Consent 
starts with respect - when the person you're with says, "no," stop.

(I don't like the tag line, but you get the idea.)

PSA #2: Another version of this consent PSA involves a man offering a woman a 
piece of candy.  She says yes and he gives her the piece, then reaches back 
and gives her a whole pile of candy that she can barely hold, pulls a lever 
and she's showered with the candy.  Same kind of dialogue; same tag line.  

PSA #3: You can do it with him offering her a flower and burying her in 
flowers, etc.  

What do folks think?  

Until the violence stops, Ben.  

Ben Atherton-Zeman, Acton MA USA
Actor, Comedian, Feminist and Husband
Presenting a One-Man Play: "Voices of Men," www.voicesofmen.org (video clips 
take a second to load)
Booking information: 978-263-3254