scottleduc

Blocking Operation and Control

Creative Commons image Filmakers in Somerset House by Pavlina Jane at Flickr
Creative Commons image Filmmakers in Somerset House by Pavlina Jane at Flickr

Goal

Understand and demonstrate the 5 Stages of Blocking

  1. Block – determining where the actors will be on the set and the first camera position
  2. Light – time for the DOP, or cinematographer, 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)

Standards, Terms, and Concepts

  • Blocking
  • Movement and Physical Behavior
  • Strong, Winning Attitudes
  • Weak Struggling or Failing Attitudes
  • Stage Orientations and Emphasis
  • Body Positions
    • Full Front
    • Full Back
    • One-quarter Front
    • Three-quarter Front
    • Profile Position
    • Three-quarter Back Position

Blocking Tips from NYFA

  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.)

Product

  • Blog post with embedded video from YouTube of the various blocking choices explained

Examples

Steps

  1. Watch Directing – The Fine Arts of Blocking and Composition – Dan Fox (12:50)
  2. Watch How Hitchcock Blocks a Scene – Nerdwriter1 (8:35)
  3. Watch Drive (2011) – The Quadrant System –Every Frame a Painting
  4. Watch some other analysis videos
  5. Create blog post titled, Blocking Operation and Control
    • Create headings for:
      • Summary
      • Terms and Concepts
      • Timeline
      • Project Skills Evidence
      • What I Learned
  6. Read and take notes The Five Stages of Blocking – NYFA
  7. Read and take notes Blocking and Movement by Erik Sean McGiven
  8. Examine Blocking Plans for a Film – Sample at SlideShare
  9. Review Blocking Planning Guide (PDF)
  10. Review 5 Stages of Blocking Worksheet (PDF)
  11. Review Blocking and Acting Worksheet (PDF)
  12. Create a timeline with your team
    • Copy and paste all the days and details below and fix formatting in your blog, as needed:
    • Day 1 – Pre-production
      • Screenwriter:
      • Editor:
      • Director:
      • Cinematographer:
      • Sound Designer:
    • Day 2 – Pre-production
      • Screenwriter:
      • Editor:
      • Director:
      • Cinematographer:
      • Sound Designer:
    • Day 3 – Production
      • Screenwriter:
      • Editor:
      • Director:
      • Cinematographer:
      • Sound Designer:
    • Day 4 – Production
      • Screenwriter:
      • Editor:
      • Director:
      • Cinematographer:
      • Sound Designer:
    • Day 5 – Post-production
      • Screenwriter:
      • Editor:
      • Director:
      • Cinematographer:
      • Sound Designer:
    • Day 6 – Post-production
      • Screenwriter:
      • Editor:
      • Director:
      • Cinematographer:
      • Sound Designer:
  13. Write a script for your documentary film about basic lens operations include all terms and concepts to be included in your short film
  14. Storyboard on folded paper very quickly to get the flow order of the film, first then…
  15. Block each shot in a detailed Storyboard for more detail for why’s and how’s filmaking evidence:
    • Storyboard template
  17. Create the shot list for the project
  18. Create an equipment list
  19. Practice each shot, update script, as needed
  20. Gather equipment; camera, lens, shotgun mic, lights, bounce, diffuser, etc.
  21. Create a shot log
  22. Shoot each scene
  23. Catalog shots
  24. Edit shots in Adobe Premiere

Tools

Resources

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