Understanding of Blocking a Scene

When a first time Director steps on a set, blocking a scene can be one of the most frustrating and terrifying parts of their job.

If a director doesn’t understand the concept of blocking and staging, and they also don’t know how to speak the actor’s language, they could end up wasting valuable shooting time.

Every film shoot is divided into five parts:

1. Block – determining where the actors will be on the set and the first camera position.

2. Light – time for the DOP to light the set and position the camera for the first shot.

3. Rehearse – camera rehearsal of the first set-up with the actors and crew.

4. Adjustments – making lighting and other adjustments.

5. Shoot – shooting the first scene (then repeat the process).

Blocking was originally a theater term that refers to the positioning and movement of the actors in the stage. In cinema, camera and lights are added to the equation.

Blocking is an essential part of rehearsal because doing it in advance will speed up principal photography as the actors and camera operators will know how they will move on the set.

Blocking a motion picture involves deciding where and how actors will move and which line of dialogue they will deliver where. Some of these may be suggested in the script, but the director has freedom to alter and augment the original text. The more “trained” actors are during blocking, the faster principal photography will be.

Sketch the Scene

One way to block actors and camera is to use drawings and diagrams to quickly show what you have in mind. Hand-drawn pictures are fine, although many computer programs make the job easier. Floor plans and storyboards are often combined because together they help the crew visualize everything needed.

Floor plans are a good way to see the overhead layout of a scene with actors and camera positions. Floor plans are quite convenient when shooting a scene with an elaborate setup with many actors and movements.

Storyboards are also common. They are a collection of frames that tells the story visually. The frames illustrate the more important shots in the movie. Storyboards are quite convenient when the directors is explaining exactly what type of composition he desires.

Attention to Body Language

Deciding where the actors and camera should go is only the first step of blocking. It is also a good idea to talk about body language – posture. A director must pay close attention to how actors use their bodies and what is signified by their postures and gestures. Though characterization should define posture (see picture below), the director has to approve what actors come up with and change accordingly.

Here are 5 important blocking tips:

1. Having a shot list will help you during the blocking process. The shot list is like a map: it gives you a path to your destination but you don’t always have to follow it.

2. Let the actors show you what they want to do first, then, when you make a suggestion, it is based on something you have already seen.

3. Where the camera is placed is determined primarily by what is important in the scene.

4. Blocking is like a puzzle: directors need to keep working at it until the whole scene works.

5. In Television and low budget films, speed is essential, story and block some scenes so that your action takes place in one direction (to avoid turning the camera around for reverses.)