how do i block a scene?

Question

How do I actually block it. Do I shout out things like "Go upstage" or something?

Here's a sample scene I have to block:

Person 1: So,what happened?

Person 2: What do you mean,what happened?

Person 1: Are you alright?

Person 2: I don't know.

Person 1: Well, do you want to talk about it?

Person 2: I'm not sure I ever want to talk about it.

Person 1: Sure.I wouldn't want to either.

Person 2: I'm gonna just forget it ever happened.

Person 1: Alright.

Answer 1

You tell them where to go when (or before) they say which line. For instance person 2 can be waiting on stage DL, person 1 comes running on from UR then says his/her line. At some point you have to have them move so make up the rest of the blocking. Write down what you think they should do or what you have pictured in your head, then when you have the actor's on stage walk them through it and if you don't like it, change it! Good luck!

Answer 2

Blocking implies a lot of things. Firstly, if you are the director you need to have a visual of the stage to which you cna refer to, even if it's not buil yet. Blueprints are wonderful. Secondly, you need to visualize each line and what would look best for the actor to do. Remember, you're trying to make sure the audience cna see everything so don't focus all your attention on one area of the stage. Then, you will write out the direction for each line, whether it be "sit", "cross to stage right and sit" "move center stage" "small steps in a circle" etc. etc. There are a lot of options and changing your movements can be very appealing. You can incoorporate different emotions too, just by the way you have an actor stand. When you're actually directing the actors, you literally just sit there and go line by line, telling the actor their stage directions. If someone stays put for a while, you can just skip to the necxt line where someone moves. Hope this helps!!!

Answer 3

Like do you need a suggestion of things to do during the scene?

Person 1: So,what happened? [Move towards P2, look concerned]

Person 2: What do you mean,what happened?[Suspicious, cross arms, be defensive]

Person 1: Are you alright?[Touch shoulder, something caring]

Person 2: I don't know.[Shrug, move away]

Person 1: Well, do you want to talk about it?[Follow P2]

Person 2: I'm not sure I ever want to talk about it.[Turn and face p1]

Person 1: Sure.I wouldn't want to either.[Take a step back, relax]

Person 2: I'm gonna just forget it ever happened.[Walk away]

Person 1: Alright.[Shrug]

Answer 4

I like to sit down and run through pieces of the blocking before we actually act it out. It gives me a chance to offer motivation, make the blocking clear, and it gives them a chance to offer ideas that might even make the scene better. Plus they aren't walking around with pencils.