ENGLISH VI

FIRST QUARTER
WEEK 2-DAY5
BLOCKING
 In the frame, you can see
two actors with contrasting
postures. Angelina Jolie, looks
refined, elegant, sophisticated,
impeccable, and holds herself
straight, with air of nobility.
Her back does not touch the
chair. Her hands are held in
front of her bosom – we can
tell this is not comfortable.
 At the opposite end of the
spectrum, you can see Johnny
Depp’s gesture and posture -
slouched in his chair, legs
crossed, supporting his arms.
He looks tired and uncouth.
 Blocking was originally a
theater term that refers to the
positioning and movement of
the actors in the stage. An
essential part of rehearsal,
blocking is necessary for a
smooth performance.
 In cinema, camera and lights
are added to the equation.
Blocking in a motion picture
involves the precise synchrony
and movement of the actors in
relation to camera and lights.
The director is the one
responsible for blocking. He
must guide the cast to
accommodate his vision for the
arrangement or composition of
the frame.
Sketch the Scene
One efficient way to block actors
and camera is to use drawings.
Hand-drawn pictures are fine,
although computers make the job
easier. Floor plans and storyboards
are often combined for a faster
process but also to help the crew
visualize everything needed for the
shoot to happen.
 Floor plans are used to
design the layout of a scene
with actors and camera
positions. Floor plans are quite
convenient when shooting a
scene with an elaborate setup.
A number of actors and
complicated camera
movements (dollies, cranes)
constitute a good definition of
“elaborate setup.”
 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
are explaining exactly what
type of composition they
desire.
Attention to Body Language
Deciding on the positions of the
subject and camera are only the first
and second steps of blocking. The
third is body language - posture. A
director must pay close attention to
how actors use their bodies and
what is signified by their postures
and gestures. Quite regularly,
professional directors instruct actors
on how to move their hands and
legs and eyes.
 
Guided Practice (Teaching It)
I will show you a movie trailer of
“Heneral Luna.” With your partner,
identify and describe the scenes where
blocking was applied. Do this by
completing the following table.

 Scenes with Description 

Blocking  
 
 
 
 
Independent Practice (Teaching It)
In groups of five, choose and recall a
scene from the movie ”Frozen”. Talk
about how the scene goes and re-enact
this scene. With someone in the group
acting as the director, position yourself in
the scene and freeze. Your classmate will
see your PICTURE FREEZE! Remember
to be tactful when telling others about
your position.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLzfXQSPBOg)
 Blocking is simply the
relationship of the camera to
the actors. Essentially, it is the
physical movement of the
actors relative to the position of
the camera.
Evaluation (Closing It Up)
In 5 sentences, describe how the
blocking was applied in the
“Wonder Woman” trailer. Write
your answer on your paper.
Please refer to this link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
VSB4wGIdDwo
( Can be uploaded to our group
page)
Assignment/Agreement (Closing
It Up)
Watch your favorite movie at
home. On a one whole sheet of
paper, identify the message
conveyed by the film in at least
two to three sentences. Write down
the scenes from the film where
blocking was applied then list
down the possible reasons for their
application. Prepare to present
your work in class next meeting.