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.
Below are some videos from FilmSkills about what directors need to know when it comes to blocking. It also clarifies other departments.
Thanks, Sylvester - but please remember to cite your sources.
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