How to Block a Show/Film

Blocking is one of the hardest things a director has to do when it comes to theatre or film. Directors have to block the scene as the writer originally portrayed. As a director, what i like to do is create a visual of it in my head, than block it on stage/set and see if it works. If it turns out the way that i like it, than we keep it. If not, i will always ask the actors for their ideas, because they are the ones performing it, and it needs to be comfortable for them. Sometimes when performing a well known show, you can't change much of the blocking because it is so well known. But otherwise create a model of the stage,/set this isn't necessary but it helps. Once you have either a model of the stage/set or layout, draw a diagram of where you want the actors to move. Use a marker as the actor, and move it around and see if it looks good. That is just one way. Other directors like to watch other performances and copy from it. The only way that you would find me copying someone is if i can't think of any ideas. But as a director you should always have an idea as to what you want the scene/shot to look like.