L4 Creative Activity: Adobe Spark Video

Overview 

The goal for this task is for you to play and practice creating a short video using Adobe Spark. The theme is “day in the life” where you will create a 30-second (:30) max video showcasing tidbits of one single day in your life. It is up to you on what time period or aspect of your life you want to showcase. You can focus on the past or present. You will use a mix of text, photos, sound (music), and video. 

Examples from past 310 students (Fall 2019) 

Parameters: 

  • Video tool:  Adobe Spark (no substitutions please!) 
  • Video length: 15-30 seconds (:15-:30) 
  • Required minimum elements: 
  • 1-3 custom recorded video clips (up to :10 long) 
  • 0-3 photos or other artwork 
  • Music selection (select track within Spark, find one that is royalty-free, or use your own/approved-for-use track) 
  • Incorporation of text as appropriate 

Instructions: 

Part 1: Story Planning (informal – not something you will turn in) 

Before you do a deep dive into video production – think about the story you want to tell. The theme for this task is “day in the life.” It can be a story from the past or present. So for you that might be attending a class, chilling out at home, coffee with friends, walking your dog, doing your job, or getting ready for an event. It’s just a snapshot – a short moment in time – so think of it is how you would answer the question “what was one fun or memorable thing you did today?” You are encouraged to keep it positive and have fun with it and have friends help you get (or collect) your footage. 

So take a second and make some notes. If you had to do this task right now – what is one fun memorable thing that has happened to you this semester? Did you have drinks with friends, go shopping, take a walk, watch a movie, play a sport… 

Now consider how you would tell the story of that memorable moment if you were asked about it? Who is it about, who are the key players or characters? What took place? When did it take place? Where were you, what was your surroundings? Why is it memorable? How did you feel? 

Part 2: Creation and Collection of Digital Assets 

  1. Start capturing or gathering images, artwork, and video clips that will aid in telling your story. You can be prominently featured or behind the scenes. Video can include audio or audio can be in voice-over when you put the video together. 
  2. Create a folder or some other mechanism so you can collect photos, music, video footage, etc. – this can be on your phone, laptop, etc. – someplace you have access and won’t lose your work 

Part 3: Create your video using Adobe Spark 

Check out this reference for a full walkthrough with screenshots and instructions: https://spark.adobe.com/page/JJcZ3JQWIJPlc/. Here are the basics: 

  • Go to spark.adobe.com 
  • Click on the +sign and select Videos 
  • Select “Start from scratch” in the top right > select Video in the pulldown menu 
  • Give it a title 
  • Select Tell What Happened template (or start from scratch if you prefer) 
  • Watch or skip the overview video 
  • Start to make it your own 
  • Play with different Theme options in the right menu 
  • On each frame you can… 
  • Adjust Layout in right menu 
  • (+) add Photo 
  • (+) add Text 
  • (+) add Video (trim video clips as needed)  
  • (+) add Icon 
  • Select the add slide button in the lower left to add a new frame 
  • Select Music in right menu to select a track that works with your story or upload your own music (should be royalty free or one you have permission to use) 
  • At the end – add a closing frame that wraps it all up 
  • Preview your work > make adjustments as needed 

Part 4: Turn it in 

  1. When done > select Share at the top 
  2. Check the title and edit if needed, subtitle is optional, you can turn author visibility on or off, you can turn Get Noticed on or off 
  3. Select Create Link 
  4. Copy/paste your link in Blackboard 
  5. Optional – share your video on personal social channels 

Grading Criteria 

  • Adobe Spark Video: Adobe Spark video is complete and includes important information on all of the 5W’s 
  • Pictures/Audio: Audio is used on most frames. Pictures or videos are present on all frames to aide in comprehension. 
  • Organization and Neatness: Finished Adobe Spark video is well done, engaging, interesting and easy to understand. It shows careful thought and planning.  
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