Blocking a Scene for Film

D

DWHJR

Member
Hello!

I was wondering if anyone could share their wisdom on blocking for a movie. Maybe share tips and tricks, dealing with actors and suggestions towards them. If you don't feel like sharing then maybe throw a link down or a good book reference so I might be able to get some studying down.

Thanks!

DWHJR
 
Rehearse with your actors. The camera placement should be secondary to the acting. Only with rehearsal will you know where is the most effective place for the camera to go.

That doesn't mean camera moves and blocking won't be pretty. Just each action should have a purpose. A purpose greater than the placement of a camera.
 
I agree with Mounwave, you should definitely invest in Katz's Shot by Shot book, helped me out quite a bit.

Don't do any fancy shots that doesnt help the action move forward, for example a lot people tend to have dolly shots when its not necessary.
 
Google Sketchup is free in its basic version, pig-simple to use, allows you to set focal lengths, and is very handy for camera blocking, when you reach that point. And then you can print boards.
 
Thanks guys I appreciate the help. I have the DVD Set downloaded and will check that out. and am looking into Google Sketchup
 
I concur with Matty

Rehearsing
Going to the locations in advance
shot lists
lighting diagrams


All of the above
 
But honestly it takes many years of directing actors for film to learn about blocking -- as it is to learn all the other skills of directing and making movies.

The quickest way to learn is ask a director or producer to allow you to spend some time on a set, and there you will see how blocking is done and what blocking is. Almost nobody uses the term on the set; it's just done automatically. (Many directors do the blocking in the storyboard stage.)

So here is a simple way to approach blocking if you've never made a movie before or if you've never made a feature film before especially.

1) Master Shot: includes everything that the audience should see to be able to take in the whole scene and the context of the action.

2) Medium Shot: closing in on main action and/or dialogue of the scene. You should Google "medium shot" and tell me what you find.LOL

3) Over the shoulder shots: favoring the actor speaking but also covering all the reactions. Get in the habit of shooting the whole scene from over the shoulder of each character in the scene, especially the ones that have the lines.

4) Close-ups of all the actors: at least all the important coverage in close-ups, especially the end of the scenes (resolutions).

5) Then think of all the dolly shots that may or may not be required and any subjective, surealistic, etc. shots that you fancy yourself shooting (as time and money allows).

These are the basics; but there are no absolute rules....
 
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