Ask a first AD what slows down shoots most, and they’ll likely tell you: lack of blocking.
Blocking is the process of planning actors’ movements through a scene, and it’s often neglected by new directors in the rush to roll cameras.
But skipping blocking is like skipping choreography in a dance film. You might get through it, but the result will be sloppy and uninspired.
Blocking helps the whole team prepare.
It tells your cinematographer where to place the camera, your sound team where to boom, your gaffer how to light. It allows you to see the rhythm of a scene before the chaos of the day overwhelms you.
More importantly, blocking reveals what works and what doesn’t. Maybe you imagined a low-angle push-in, but once blocked, the geography doesn’t allow it.
Maybe the actor’s emotional moment lands better in a wide shot than a close-up. Blocking lets you make those decisions before the clock starts ticking.
When time is tight, and it always is, blocking is what saves your day. It allows you to combine setups, cut shots, and still get the coverage you need.
Treat it like a rehearsal. Do it with stand-ins if needed. But never, ever skip it.
Blocking is invisible to the audience, but essential to the director. Master it, and your films will immediately look more polished, confident, and cinematic.
Below is a great video from StudioBinder that explains more.