Essential item for production

 Today I got the package of the item that I was waiting some time for; a phone tripod that will help me record many of my shots. I was very dependant on this arriving because many of the shots in my opening require stable shots, and this tripod does exactly that. It is also very conventional because you can close it and travel with it whenever you want.

This tripod has honestly been a lifesaver for my film project. It keeps my shots steady, so I don’t have to worry about shaky footage making everything look unprofessional. It also lets me set up different angles without begging someone to hold the camera for me. Plus, I don’t have to stack a bunch of random books or balance my phone on a chair just to get the right shot. It makes filming so much easier, and I can actually focus on acting and directing instead of constantly fixing the camera.  

Link to device

Week Five

 This week is the week were everything should start to be put together, now I am not able to film this week so I spent my time working on finding props, clothes, and some voice lines that will enhance my film opening. 

I also spent some time watching many other movies just to see if there are any other things I can implement when I actually film all of this. Once I am able to start filming next week, I will begin to post videos/pictures of the work I had planned the past four weeks.

Mise-en-scene elements pt.2

After establishing the basic setting and props, I also considered other mise-en-scène elements that would enhance the film’s comedic and action-packed feel. These additional details will help bring the characters to life and create a more immersive visual experience.

1. Color Scheme/Set Design

• Alex’s Space: I will use cooler, darker colors like blues and grays to reflect his laid-back, somewhat messy lifestyle. Minimal decorations and scattered belongings will display his careless attitude.

• Mr. Brown’s Space: Warmer tones like browns and deep yellows will be used to emphasize his old-school, paranoid personality. His home will have vintage or outdated furniture.

2. Costume/Character Appearance

• Alex’s Outfit: Casual, slightly wrinkled clothes (probably a hoodie and sweatpants) to show that he doesn’t put much effort into his appearance. His look will reflect his relaxed (and sometimes lazy) attitude.

• Mr. Brown’s Outfit: A bathrobe, slippers, or an old jacket to suggest he’s retired. His clothes will be slightly scruffy, reinforcing his uncommon personality.

3. Camera Angles/Movement

• Low-angle shots on Mr. Brown will make him look more intimidating, despite his age. This will exaggerate his paranoia and make him seem epic.

• Close-ups on Alex’s confused expressions will highlight the comedic contrast between his normal reactions and Mr. Brown’s extreme behavior.

• Handheld camera movements during the action sequences will add an element of chaos, making the scene feel more intense and unpredictable.

Developing my Characters

 

Strong characters make a film more entertaining, especially in an action/comedy. In The Wrong Package, Alex and Mr. Brown are total opposites, and their differences create both chaos and comedy.

Alex

Alex is a broke, sarcastic delivery guy who just wants to finish his job and leave. He’s lazy, avoids drama, and doesn’t believe in conspiracy theories, until he meets Mr. Brown. As things spiral out of control, Alex is forced to think fast, and question what’s actually happening. By the end, he’s still the same sarcastic guy, but now he’s a little more paranoid, too.

Mr. Brown

Mr. Brown is convinced everyone is out to get him. Whether he’s a former spy or just watched too many action movies is unclear, but he does not trust Alex. He’s dramatic, over-the-top, and ready to fight. While he starts off defensive, by the end, he kind of trusts Alex, but still refuses to let go of his paranoia.

Why They Work Together

Alex and Mr. Brown’s opposite personalities make their interactions hilarious:

• Alex is chill, Mr. Brown is intense.

• Alex avoids trouble, Mr. Brown starts it.

• Alex is confused, Mr. Brown makes things worse.

They don’t want to work together, but their crazy situation forces them to. Their dynamic keeps the film fun, fast-paced, and full of ridiculous moments.

Audio Plan

 Sound plays a huge role in making a film feel immersive, and for my action/comedy opening, I want to make sure the audio helps enhance both the humor and the suspense. I’ll be focusing on three main areas: dialogue, sound effects, and music.

1. Dialogue 

Since this is a comedy, the dialogue needs to be clear and well-timed so the jokes land properly. I’ll make sure to:

• Record in a quiet environment to avoid background noise.

• Use natural speech for Alex to show his laid-back attitude, while Mr. Brown’s dialogue will be dramatic and intense to exaggerate his paranoia.

• Add small audio cues like muttering or sighs to emphasize Alex’s frustration and disbelief during Mr. Brown’s crazy accusations.

2. Sound Effects 

Sound effects will be used to add energy to the action scenes and make the comedy moments even funnier. Some key sounds I’ll include:

• Loud door locks clicking – Every time Mr. Brown locks his door, it should sound way too dramatic, like he’s guarding top-secret information.

• Frying pan hit sound – A classic cartoonish “clang” effect when Mr. Brown attacks Alex to make the fight scene feel exaggerated.

• Footsteps and movement sounds – Things like shuffling feet, running, and objects crashing will help make the chase scenes feel more chaotic.

3. Background Music & Mood

The music will change depending on the scene to help set the tone:

• Alex’s Scenes: Chill, laid-back music (light guitar or lo-fi beats) to reflect his careless attitude at the start.

• Mr. Brown’s House: Suspenseful music (low, tense strings or dramatic drum beats) to over-exaggerate his paranoia, almost like he’s in a spy movie.

• Action Scenes: Fast-paced, upbeat music (something like a heist soundtrack) to make the chase and fight sequences feel exciting and ridiculous at the same time.

• Sudden Silence for Comedy: Sometimes, completely cutting the music right before or after something ridiculous happens makes the scene even funnier. For example, after Mr. Brown dramatically locks his doors, an awkward silence can highlight how unnecessary it was.

Mise-en-scene elements pt.1

 After figuring my idea out, one of the things that was most important was where exactly I was going to film it. I decided that I will be filming in my house because it is a controlled environment, I have easy access to props, and it is very ideal for my film.

For the setting/atmosphere, I can record shots in my living room or hallway, which would help create a realistic and relatable setting for a comedic movie. Alexx's bedroom will be casual and kind of messy to reflect his chill/laid-back lifestyle, and many weird decorations like extra locks on the door, and messy papers can be used to show how paranoid Mr.Brown is.

For the props, I'll use many different items to describe and develop the my characters . For example, I'll use a frying pan to show how over-the-top Mr.Brown is, and pizza boxes and old laundry to show how Alex is lazy. Also, natural lighting will be used in Alex's room to show his relaxing and normal life. Warmer lighting will be used in Mr. Brown's house to develop a more intense atmosphere.

Plot/Idea for Project

After figuring out my genre, I started to think about the story of what I was actually going to film and fully pursue for my project. I had originally came up with the idea of a police chase with cars, and a lot of action, however, that was not going to work out for me because I don't have enough people to help film that. So I finally decided that I am still going with the comedic approach with just less action.

My opening will revolve around a teenager who works as a delivery driver and is in need of money. He gets a notification of a big money reward that can be earned by completing a delivery in the same hour. He then goes to an old, grumpy neighbor's house, who confuses him for the wrong person, and they get in a big fight. The end of the film will reveal a comedic twist where the old man was wrong the whole time and the kid was doing nothing wrong.