SCHOOL OF FILM & ACTING

The 5 Stages of Blocking a Scene

By Peter D. Marshall - When a first time Director steps on a set, blocking a scene can be one of the most frustrating and terrifying parts of their job.

If a director doesn’t understand the concept of blocking and staging, and they also don’t know how to speak the actor’s language, they could end up wasting valuable shooting time.

Every film shoot is divided into five parts:

1. Block - determining where the actors will be on the set and the first camera position

2. Light - time for the DOP to light the set and position the camera for the first shot

3. Rehearse - camera rehearsal of the first set-up with the actors and crew

4. Adjustments - making lighting and other adjustments

5. Shoot - shooting the first scene (then repeat the process)

Blocking a scene is simply “working out the details of an actor’s moves in relation to the camera.”

You can also think of blocking as the choreography of a dance or a ballet: all the elements on the set (actors, extras, vehicles, crew, equipment) should move in perfect harmony with each other.

Here are 5 important blocking tips:

1. Having a shot list will help you during the blocking process. The shot list is like a map: it gives you a path to your destination but you don’t always have to follow it

2. Let the actors show you what they want to do first, then, when you make a suggestion, it is based on something you have already seen

3. Where the camera is placed is determined primarily by what is important in the scene.

4. Blocking is like a puzzle: directors need to keep working at it until the whole scene works.

5. In Television and low budget films, speed is essential, story and block some scenes so that your action takes place in one direction (to avoid turning the camera around for reverses.)

For a more detailed explanation about blocking a scene, check out Filmmaking Article

Peter D. Marshall has worked in the Film and Television Industry for over 35 years. He also publishes the free monthly filmmaking ezine “The Director’s Chair. You can check out his website at: Action Cut Print and his film directing blog at Film Directing Tips

New York Film Academy Partners With Drop.io For Students Success

The New York Film Academy announced today partnership with drop.io, a CNET 2009 Webware winner that has developed an innovative file-sharing and real-time collaboration service that has gained traction with film production professionals.

“We at the New York Film Academy are thrilled to partner with drop.io, which provides the simplest way for our students to share video, audio files and documents while collaborating in real time from anywhere in the world. drop.io saves students time and money…both of which independent filmmakers need a lot more of!” - David Klien, NYFA Provost

This service will help film students and alumni share with thier community because it provides a superior user experience to FTP and gives filmmakers the simplest and fastest way to do the following:

• Share video clips, scripts, and any other production information
• Collaborate via chat and conference call with teams and clients anywhere, instantly
• Present with screen-sharing functionality and custom-branding options

These offerings are provided at a fraction the cost of the alternatives with no hardware to buy, no software to download and no IT support necessary.

Create 100 MB ‘drops’ for free to discover how drop.io can help your film-making efforts and gain special access to this exclusive NYFA-community 25% off offer that includes ability to manage multiple ‘drops’ of several GBs from a single interface, with enhances privacy, administrative, and customization capabilities.

Visit drop.io

New York Film Academy Scholarship Fund Announces Visa Credit Card Program

How would you like to support students who dream of creating films? Now, you can help future filmmakers and actors at no cost to you.

When you apply for our 6 month interest free NYFA branded Visa Credit Card $50 will be donated with every activated account to the New York Film Academy Scholarship Fund which awards scholarships to students who wish to take any of our world class acting and film programs in New York City and Los Angeles.

Help us raise $20,000 for student scholarships this year and show you are apart of and in support of the filmmaking industry. The application process is free and takes two minutes - the impact will be priceless and last a lifetime.

Get Your Own NYFA Visa Card Today!

—

If you would like to raise funds for your organization with your own Visa credit card contact Kalin@nyfa.com for more information on how to get started.

So Many Film Schools…So Little Time

If you are considering enrolling into a film school program or workshop, you have plenty of choices.  After checking out a few school directories I counted over 950 film schools in 69 countries…with over 260 being in the United States! Check out Filmmaking.net for a comprensive list of film schools.

Consider this point when film school shopping.

If your dream is to make a living creating films,  your #1 goal needs to be to create films.  Going to film school is only a means to the end.

Having so many choices where to study filmmaking makes it more difficult to decide where to go, but it also presents you many opportunities to achieve what your #1 goal should be - creating films. When deciding where to go to film school, take the time to find a school that best supports you creating films. Check out my other post to help you decide what film school is best for you - “What is the Best Film School For You?”

It’s true you have little time, but if you spend it wisely you can create more of it.

A Documentary About Men Sticking to Their Principals & Living Their Dreams

New York Film Academy staff/instructor Geoffray Barbier releases new feature film, “Pardon Us For Living But the Graveyard is Full“, a 60-minute documentary on the legendary New York Punk Rock band The Fleshtones.

The story of the Fleshtones is less about a band and more about men sticking to their principals and dreams which is captured perfectly during the film.

The film has successfully premiered at the Florida Film Festival on April 3, 2009. “… Pardon Us captures the spirit for fans and fans-to-be alike.” – says the Orlando Weekly and we are happy to share the story of these musicians since it is definitely worth to learn a few lessons from them about longevity and engagement with a passion even if it does not lead to worldwide fame.

To watch the film visit ColdCutsProductions.com/fleshtones.html

Letter from the Director…

I grew up in France in the 80’s, at a time when the Fleshtones were omnipresent in the lives of anyone who was into rock n’ roll. They were regulars on the indie rock concert circuits and everybody and their big brother had an album of theirs in his collection. Yet I wasn’t particularly a fan.

Then, in the late 90’s, I found myself doing research on the New York punk scene of the late 70’s, and connected to that whole era. I felt deeply for the Richard Hells, Tom Verlaine and Dee Dee Ramone. I became somewhat obsessed with all those bands.

Again four years later, after moving to New York to pursue my career as a director, I met Keith Streng, guitarist of the Fleshtones, by pure happenstance. He was living in my neighborhood, and as we got talking, he mentioned that he was recording a new album.

I went home and checked out the Fleshtones on the Internet, and I found out that for 30 years, they had never had a year when they didn’t record or play live. In essence, that made them the longest running band of the era. The longest running band of my favorite era of rock n’ roll!

Among all the bands that were regulars at CBGB’s in the late 70’s, they were the only ones who were never taken in, never accepted – they were outsiders because they loved fun: when CB’s would close, they would go dance at Studio 54. Their whole approach to New York at the time, then to their own career, was always to make it about the fun!

They had their ups and downs: in the early 80’s they landed a great deal with IRS records, only to lose it two albums later. Today many people in America think the Fleshtones disbanded long ago, probably due to their low profile.

However, that never stopped them from playing on. They have always played with the same level of commitment and energy, of the sort that I think exemplifies not only the commitment a band should have, but also the integrity that I strive for.

Anyone who goes to see the Fleshtones in concert can’t help but be sold on their energy: the dancing on the bar, synchronized dance moves or jumping on and off stage.

They’re in their mid-50’s, in great shape, and full of self-deprecation.

Seeing them on stage made me want to go deeper into their story, and try to understand why and how they do it, and perhaps learn a few lessons from them about longevity and engagement with a passion.

As I’ve spent an increasing amount of time in their company, I can only hope you will too.

Please watch my film by visiting ColdCutsProductions.com

Geoffray Barbier