WASHINGTON – Operation Lifesaver is launching a new public service announcement campaign that brings attention to the dangerous distractions that could lead to unexpected and sometimes deadly tragedies for pedestrians on or near railroad tracks...
http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2020/01/07-operation-lifesaver-releases-new-psa-targeting-risky-behavior-on-railroad-tracks
Brian Schmidt, Editor, Classic Trains magazine
Well, I clicked on the link, looked at the article, even saw the PSA commercial with "Dopey" and his earbuds walking on the tracks, with the implied result.
But if they were really-really serious about this they should show what "Dopey" looks like after the train hits him. THAT would get everyone's attention like nothing else would.
But of course, they can't do that. Honestly, more's the pity.
Flintlock76But if they were really-really serious about this they should show what "Dopey" looks like after the train hits him. THAT would get everyone's attention like nothing else would.
Actually, what they should show is what "Dopey" looks like AS the train hits him. And I can tell you exactly where to look for the scene to use as the cultural reference. Anybody remember the end of one of the Final Destination movies, where the dump-truck comes through the front of the Starbucks or whatever? Remember the wireframe skeletons and the cloud of teeth? That can be extrapolated imaginatively to the level of momentum transfer involved in a railroad collision ... all in McNeil-approved non-blood non-urine non-gangrene color scheme. Admittedly you would need some suggestive motion graphics for the soft-tissue effects, but I for one would contribute to a crowdfunded effort if nobody making commercial PSAs lacks the stones or the bones.
If they didn't forget the nuclear child picking flowers, or the hammer strike in the fabled Apple commercial in 1984, they'll find it hard to forget this. With nary a comment possible about disrespecting the memory of individual victims.
Just be sure to finish with NON-wireframe cuts of the grieving and shocked enginemen and first responders and their families...
If blood and guts 'actualities' aren't Operation Lifesavers style, they should follow Los Angeles Metro's approach with some animations:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=la+metro+safety+begins+with+you
Or perhaps bring back the old UPRR cinema format:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e7OrlBVojE
A more up-to-date approach would involve cellphone texting (can't remember the exact commercial which uses a visual 'drinking and driving' analogy).
Links to my Google Maps ---> Sunset Route overview, SoCal metro, Yuma sub, Gila sub, SR east of Tucson, BNSF Northern Transcon and Southern Transcon *** Why you should support Ukraine! ***
Good stuff, all.
The Metro safety spots are good, but just a little too "cartoony" in the Wile E. Coyote sense, if you know what I mean.
That UP film was very good for it's time, (anyone notice the gas turbine?) but I don't think it would work now. But it WAS great seeing Sgt. Mac from "Adam-12" again!
I like Overmod's hit 'em in the head with a 2x4 approach. In this day and age nothing else is likely to work.
The video that hit me the hardest was of a fatality on Metra at BNSF's Fairview Ave crosing where there was a railfan shooting an evening Metra rush hour train where a scoot was stopped and two passengers walked in front of the stopped train and as they got to track two, the man stops, the lady takes another step, and then you see the express come into view passing the stopped train. You expect to see her hit but the screen becomes all red. That stopped me cold.
Looking for it, I found the original video which was from 1991 with the BNSF E units. I had to confirm my age to see it. (Age-restricted video (based on Community Guidelines)) I think the one I saw originally was more effective.
If you want to see it, it is at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZYDc_yR0qA
I think I have seen it. If I'm right the Metra train hits the woman and she takes off like a hockey puck. I don't need to see it again, but perhaps others should.
"One picture is worth 1,000 words."
A thought. As a way of preventing suicide by train possibly a PSA like this...
"Thinking of committing suicide by train? Think you'll leave a good-looking corpse? You'd better think again!"
Then start the shots of the remains.
Thoughts anyone?
Flintlock76(anyone notice the gas turbine?
One problem these days is a short attention span. You need something like the "this is your brain, this is your brain on drugs" approach.
This does bring to mind an image on Al Krug's site at one time. It was of a horse hit at speed by a freight. About all that was left was oats.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Electroliner 1935Looking for it, I found the original video which was from 1991 with the BNSF E units. I had to confirm my age to see it. (Age-restricted video (based on Community Guidelines)) I think the one I saw originally was more effective. If you want to see it, it is at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZYDc_yR0qA
Personally, I am of the opinion that when 'real death' from accidental happenings is not shown, that society has been done a disservice. Nothing demonstrates that error and its consequences as does the 2 seconds of impact and the aftermath. Yes it is graphic in the extreme, but accidental death is graphic in the extreme and we as members of society have to learn and understand it - those growing up and learning the ways of society also have to learn and understand it.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACDNothing demonstrates that error and its consequences as does the 2 seconds of impact and the aftermath. Yes it is graphic in the extreme, but accidental death is graphic in the extreme
IMHO, show Joe Sixpack a real body getting destroyed, and he'd likely complain that the special effects are inadequate.
One year when I was in the army, just before Christmas leave they made us watch a film of auto accidents showing all the blood and guts. The trouble with this kind of thing is that it bothers you for a short time, but in a few hours or less, it gets pushed back in your memory and you don't think about it. "It won't happen to me."
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"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
At my age, "PSA targeting" means something entirely different!
zardoz BaltACD Nothing demonstrates that error and its consequences as does the 2 seconds of impact and the aftermath. Yes it is graphic in the extreme, but accidental death is graphic in the extreme It's not like people haven't seen gory stuff in the theatre. Although sometimes it seems like the Hollywood version of gore and violence is excessively portrayed. IMHO, show Joe Sixpack a real body getting destroyed, and he'd likely complain that the special effects are inadequate.
BaltACD Nothing demonstrates that error and its consequences as does the 2 seconds of impact and the aftermath. Yes it is graphic in the extreme, but accidental death is graphic in the extreme
It's not like people haven't seen gory stuff in the theatre. Although sometimes it seems like the Hollywood version of gore and violence is excessively portrayed.
The original RoboCop and every Quentin Tarantino movie come to mind, just off the top of my head.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
NKP guy At my age, "PSA targeting" means something entirely different!
And at my age, the doctor said in effect, "No need to check. You haven't got that much longer to go anyway." (Not his exact words.)
SD70Dude zardoz BaltACD Nothing demonstrates that error and its consequences as does the 2 seconds of impact and the aftermath. Yes it is graphic in the extreme, but accidental death is graphic in the extreme It's not like people haven't seen gory stuff in the theatre. Although sometimes it seems like the Hollywood version of gore and violence is excessively portrayed. IMHO, show Joe Sixpack a real body getting destroyed, and he'd likely complain that the special effects are inadequate. The original RoboCop and every Quentin Tarantino movie come to mind, just off the top of my head.
People accept movie death, no matter how gory, as Hollywood, and they will pay to see the 'dead' actor in their next film or TV show.
Death in real life and real time is a whole different matter.
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