What Does Blocking Mean in Film?
Directors use a variety of techniques and visual elements in order to enhance the storytelling and capture audience attention. One such element that is commonly used is a term that you’ll hear a lot in the industry known as “blocking”. But what does blocking mean in film and why is it so important?
Film blocking represents where actors are within the frame but also where the audience’s eyes are drawn.
When film blocking is discussed, we typically talk about things like the various stages of blocking a film or blocking a scene.
For a filmmaker that’s just getting started in the industry, this can be confusing, so what does blocking mean in film?
What is Film Blocking?
Film blocking represents the placement and movement of individual actors involved in the film in relation to their place in front of the camera.
Essentially, blocking is the choreography of the scene taking place. Directors use blocking to help them guide the audience’s eyes into the direction of the action that they want the audience to focus on.
This is how the Director communicates what is happening in the story, what’s most important, and what type of emotional response they wish to elicit from the audience.
Why is Film Blocking Important?
As we examine the answer to such a common question like, “What does blocking mean in film?” It’s equally important to consider why film blocking is so important.
Film blocking is more than just choreography and telling actors how to move, where to move, and when to move.
You need blocking to tell the story of characters’ actions and to mirror what’s occurring on the screen.
Line of Sight
Blocking is important for a variety of different reasons. Not only does blocking the character’s actions help to determine where lighting is needed.
And what shot is going to be best from the camera or what angle and movement of camera is most suitable.
But it also helps to establish the line of sight that will be generated from the audience to elicit their desired emotional response to the film.
Actors Positioning
Without blocking, actors would really have no idea where to stand. Or what to really “do” in front of the camera.
In fact, if you think actors just know what kinds of motions and movements are expected of them based on the script that you hand them? You’re incredibly wrong.
Film blocking is HOW actors know where to be, what to do, and how to do it.
And it’s also how the cinematographers know where to be, when to film and how. As well as how the lighting crew knows where to place lighting and how to set the scene.
A Visual Story
Blocking is how the director tells the story visually. Sometimes blocking can be included in a script. But the majority of it is created by the director and represents their vision for the audience.
Most of the time, the director will completely invent their rendition of blocking.
Which represents the vision they have for characters and the appropriate camera movements that go along with the characters to deliver the desired emotional response from the audience.
How Does the Director Block a Scene?
When blocking a scene, there are several steps that take place in order to achieve the appropriate choreography between talent, camera, crew and various other elements within the scene.
Shot blocking or scene blocking is really an art that requires the formation of many different working parts together to establish the desired outcome.
There are essentially five stages involved in blocking a scene.
They are:
- Initial Blocking – this is the first step in which the Director is going to determine where the actors are going to be on the set and what the initial camera position will be.
- Lighting – this is establishing the appropriate light for the set. And positioning of the camera comparative to lighting for the first shot.
- Rehearsal – this is a practice run for camera, actors, and crew to test the proposed choreography for the scene.
- Adjustments – This is where any changes to lighting and other potential adjustments are made to the choreography of the actors, camera crew, and other elements that have been blocked.
- Shooting the Scene – the final stage, everything’s ready so we shoot! Then we repeat the film blocking process for the next scene and so on.
Film Blocking Tips for Beginners
Now that we’ve answered the common question, “What does blocking mean in film?”
Let’s take a look at some important tips:
- Prepare a shot list and a scene list prior to blocking. The blocking process is going to follow a similar process to your shot list or scene list so this is a good starting point.
- If you’re totally new to Directing a film, consider allowing actors to show you what they think the movements should be or what they want to do for the particular scene and then you can elaborate the choreography from there.
- Camera placement is primarily determined based on what the most important action of the scene is for the audience and where the audience’s eyes should be focused.
- Don’t expect to get it all right the first time. Blocking is similar to building a puzzle. There will be pieces that seem to fit, but don’t. You’ll have to make several attempts in order to establish the appropriate block.
The Takeaway
So, what does blocking mean in film and why is it so important? Blocking represents the unique choreography between the cast, crew, and camera.
In order to establish the desired focus from camera to action taking place on the set to the audience viewing.
In Summation
This is a unique process that requires amazing talent! All in order to create strong emotional connections between the audience and the camera placement.
As it captures the talent performing on the set. It’s absolutely vital to the story.
And helps the Director to create emotional connections with audience members to establish the desired outcomes for the story.