When it comes to creating video, preparation is key, but things don’t always go to plan.
For National Ice Cream Day on 22 July, I had the perfect idea: visit a local ice cream farm and create a short video to celebrate (and yes, it was also a great excuse to eat ice cream). But, in typical British summer style, storm and rain warnings were issued across the UK. Did that put me off? Absolutely not, I was determined to have an ice cream-fuelled adventure, come rain or shine!
Planning vs. reality
I decided to embrace the weather and use it to add a bit of humour to the video. I storyboarded my idea, wrote my script, and packed my tripod and phone.
When I arrived, all my planning had to be adjusted. That’s the thing no one tells you, you can plan all you want, but you have to be ready to adapt in the moment.
I’d planned to build the story around how ice cream is made. Starting with shots of the cows being fed, a few clips of the other animals on the farm, and then finishing with the Robotic Milker which churns the milk into ice cream. What I didn’t realise was that you had to pay to access that part of the farm.
That meant I could only capture four out of my nine planned shots. Just when I thought things couldn’t get more off-script, the rain completely stopped. For a brief moment, there was even blue sky, which completely threw off two more of my remaining shots that relied on the rain.
Creatively winging it
Armed with a brew from the ice cream parlour, I found a quiet spot and went back to the drawing board. With a few sips of tea and a deep breath, I cut the shots I could no longer film and started thinking creatively. How could I show it was raining without actually seeing the rain?
I shifted my focus to what I could see: the entrance to the ice cream farm, a quirky tractor display, and some well-placed signage. When I was filming one of the attractions, as if on cue, a little girl in a bright rain jacket wandered past the camera, perfectly giving the impression of gloomy weather and keeping her identity private. Win-win!
For the ice cream shot, I made sure there was an umbrella in the background, and I added a little moment of me wiping down a soggy bench before sitting down, just to drive the “rainy day” vibe home.
There was just one problem: no cows. Not a single one in sight, and I needed one to land the (hopefully) humorous punchline of my video. So, once I got home, I grabbed the dog and headed out for a walk to a reliable cow-spotting spot.
Watch the final video
Check it out on YouTube and see how it all came together!
Anyone can create video (even when plans change)
This little adventure was a great reminder that while scripting and storyboarding lay the groundwork, flexibility is just as important. Planning gives you structure, but it’s your ability to adapt that brings authenticity to your video.
Things didn’t go to plan. Some shots weren’t possible, the weather took a turn, and I had to go cow-hunting in a completely different location. But the video still came together, because I was willing to shift the plan and work with what I had.
One of the biggest advantages of shooting with your phone is that it gives you the freedom to adapt quickly. No heavy gear, no complex setups, you can just pull out your phone and start filming. Anyone can create video, all you need is your phone, a little creativity, and the willingness to go with the flow.
Do you want to learn how to create great video with your smartphone, no matter what the day throws at you? Check out my smartphone video training.
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