How do you efficiently film raw “homemade stories” BTS while busy with country chores?

The charm of “homemade stories” lies in their authenticity – the grit, the real-life challenges, and the genuine moments that unfold in a rural setting. Capturing the Behind-The-Scenes (BTS) footage of this life, especially while actively immersed in country chores, presents a unique set of challenges. It’s a delicate balance between productivity and creativity, but with the right approach, you can efficiently document your raw, captivating journey.

Embrace the Imperfect and Plan Smart

The first step is a mental shift: let go of the need for polished, studio-quality shots. Your audience expects raw; embrace it. This doesn’t mean sacrificing quality entirely, but rather prioritizing capturing the moment over perfect framing. Before you start your day, have a loose idea of potential story points or tasks you’d like to document. Are you mending a fence, feeding livestock, or preparing a garden bed? Identify the “story beats” within these chores. However, remain flexible; the most compelling content often arises spontaneously from the unpredictable nature of country life.

Consider batching your filming. If you have multiple similar chores, group them. For example, if you’re doing several rounds of animal feeding, set up your camera once and capture different angles or close-ups during each round, rather than setting up and tearing down for every single feed.

Essential Gear for On-the-Go Filming

You don’t need a professional film crew. Your smartphone is your most powerful tool. It’s portable, always ready, and increasingly capable of capturing high-quality video. Invest in a few key accessories that enhance efficiency:

• Quick-release mounts: For tripods or magnetic mounts, allowing you to attach and detach your phone in seconds.
• Small, flexible tripods: Like a Gorillapod, which can be wrapped around fence posts, tree branches, or placed on uneven surfaces.
• Hands-free solutions: A chest mount or head mount for your phone can be invaluable when both hands are occupied with chores.
• External microphone: Wind is a common enemy in rural settings. A simple lavalier (lapel) mic that plugs into your phone, or a small shotgun mic, can drastically improve audio quality.
• Portable power bank: Filming drains batteries quickly, especially in colder weather.

Streamlined Filming Techniques in Action

With your gear ready, efficiency comes down to technique:

• Always Be Ready (ABR): Keep your phone easily accessible, preferably with the camera app pre-opened or quickly launchable. A moment can pass in an instant.
• Shoot Short Bursts: Instead of long, continuous takes, capture multiple short clips (5-15 seconds) from different angles. This makes editing easier and gives you more variety.
• Narrate as You Go: Talk through what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and any challenges you’re facing. This “vlog style” adds immediate context and personality.
• Leverage Natural Light: Country life offers abundant natural light. Position yourself so the light is on your subject (and you, if self-filming) rather than behind, to avoid silhouetting.
• Time-Lapses for Repetitive Tasks: Setting up your phone for a time-lapse of a repetitive or long chore (e.g., stacking hay, digging a trench) can capture the essence of the work without requiring constant filming.
• Enlist a Helping Hand: If family members are around, ask them to grab a few shots. Even a child with a phone can capture a unique perspective.

Efficient Workflow for Post-Production

The filming is only half the battle. How you handle the footage afterward determines true efficiency.

• Quick Transfers: At the end of the day, or during a short break, quickly transfer footage from your phone to a hard drive or cloud storage. This frees up phone space and protects your content.
• Rough Cuts on the Go: If you have an editing app on your phone, you can even do a rough assembly of clips during downtime (e.g., waiting for water to boil, during a meal break).
• Focus on Story, Not Perfection: For “raw” BTS, viewers forgive shaky shots or imperfect lighting if the story is compelling. Prioritize narrative flow and emotional impact over technical flawlessness.
• Embrace the “Raw” Aesthetic: Resist the urge to over-edit. A simple cut, natural sound, and minimal color grading often serve the raw, authentic vibe best.

Conclusion: Authenticity and Consistency are Key

Filming raw “homemade stories” BTS while juggling country chores is an exercise in resourcefulness and authenticity. By adopting a flexible mindset, optimizing your minimal gear, employing efficient filming techniques, and streamlining your post-production, you can consistently produce compelling content that resonates deeply with your audience. Remember, the goal isn’t just to film; it’s to tell a genuine story of your life, one chore and one captured moment at a time. The true magic lies in revealing the unfiltered reality, and with these strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to do just that.