Theatre Tips
Directing:
This month's subject for Theatre Tips is "Directing,"
blocking your actors into movement patterns that are
logical, visually interesting, and create the desired
effect on the audience. Any contributions by readers
are welcome (see below).
STAGE BLOCKING
"Blocking" is the establishment of character movements
throughout the play. It is the most important visual
element in the production, communicates character
motivation more powerfully than any other element of
production, and tells the story as effectively as the
dialogue itself.
If, for example, two characters are facing each other
center stage, having an argument, and one suddenly
breaks away and crosses down stage right and sits in a
chair, the visual movement suggests to the audience a
change in the emotional content of the scene and
prepares
the way for new information to be communicated.
A written script is merely a skeletal structure. Even
the richest imagination can only begin to envision what
the final production will be like. Blocking starts 'adding
flesh' to the skeleton script and breathes life into
the written words.
For student playwrights, seeing their ideas come alive
for the first time on stage can be one of the most
positive and exciting experiences of their lives.
Blocking should always be done in concert with the reading
of lines from the script. The exact moment in the
script when a character makes a particular movement
will punctuate the dialogue and give it stronger
meaning. Students need to learn this right away. One
way to introduce the idea to them is through a warm up
activity.
ACTIVITY: MOVEMENT TIMING
To demonstrate to students the close relationship of
blocking to the reading of their lines, have them say
a line with a blocking movement before the line, during
the line, and after the line. Have them notice how each
one felt and what impression each made on those watching.
This will help them develop a sense of timing, which
in turn will give them more confidence in what they are
doing and make your job a whole lot easier! Ask the
audience members to make the same kind of evaluation.
It is best for the beginning director and actors to
make sure all blocking movements are written down
(See Prompt Script).
The director's prompt script should have all the
blocking written in an individual copy of the script.
Use a pencil, for you will probably change your mind
several times during rehearsals.
TIP: Most directors write out the blocking in their
scripts for the entire play before the first rehearsal
and then give the directions to the actors, scene by
scene. This saves a lot of time and gives both directors
and actors confidence during the beginning rehearsals.
Pre-blocking, as it is called, may be made easier by
having a scale drawing of the floor plan or a model,
and moving small objects representing actors from one
place to another to create an interesting and
meaningful visual pattern.
Help us with your ideas:
To comment on this idea, or offer management suggestions of
your own for producing plays for schools, community theatres
or any low budget productions, write us at
comments@creativeeducationalsystems.com. Your
thoughts will be posted to this site.
Note: This tip and many more ideas for
productions for theatre for young people may be found in
the book "Producing the School Play". For more
information, go to
http://www.creativeeducationalsystems.com/web_files/Producing.html
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