My Tech Corner

Creating a Blocking Script

To create a blocking script generally one starts with a single-sided script. This leaves the other side of the two-page spread for an image / drawing of the stage and set. This is something you may have to create yourself, however, check in with the set designer first and see if that have something created you can use. Once you’ve done that, you can print that on the opposite side of your script so that the left side has the blocking image and the right is the script. That way when you open to the script page you can also see that page’s blocking.

It is also important to create a blocking key for all of the notation used in the script. This helps establish a convention and makes your blocking notes readable to someone if someone needs use it. It should be put in the front of the binder or tab of the binder.

Marking Acts and Scenes

When blocking scenes often the director will jump between scenes so it's important to mark out the scenes and acts. This is most commonly done with post-it flags on the side of the script. These allow for the easy finding of the scene being worked on.

Common Notation

There are many ways of quick notation commonly used blocking terms that many stage managers and directors use. These should be put in your blocking key. Here is a blocking key that shows many of the commonly used notations. Also, it helps to create a shorthand for each character. Usually, you use the first two letters of the characters name. If there are two characters with the same two first letters you can use first three or the first two consonants that make it obvious who it is. This should also be put in the key.

Ways of Taking Blocking Notes

There are many ways to take blocking notes and they tend to vary slightly between people. Ultimately it is about finding a system that works for you and using only that. Here are three fairly common ways.

1. One way to take notes is to use lines and arrows on a map of the stage. In this method, you write down the character notation and draw a line from that to the location they land in marking the new location with an X. Then you label the path with a number that corresponded to a number in the script at the line the action occurs. 

2. Another way is to use the numbers in the script, but then simply write out the action using blocking notation. This can be accompanied by small drawings if needed. This can be written in the script or on the opposite side.

Other Helpful Tips

Always write blocking in pencil. Blocking by it its very nature is going to change many times. Because of this, it’s important to only write in pencil.

If you are the stage manager and someone else, and ASM or PA, is taking blocking for you make sure that you give them a key so that you can read the blocking. This just helps keep everything uniform and usable by all.

When you are starting to create a calling script it's important to first create a list of all the different elements you will be in charge of cueing. For example lights, sounds, projections etc. This will help you figure out how many different tabs / colors you will need. 

After that, I like to create my run sheets so that I have a complete list of the cues I need to put into my book. Below is my cue sheet from the last show I did. Once I have these lists for all the elements I call then I can easily transfer everything into my book

NAMING CONVENTIONS

In the professional theatre generally, there are conventions used to label cues. I like to call the whole department (ie. Lights 1, Sound A). 

Lights: LX, use numbers LX 1, LX 2

Sounds: SX or S, use letters after Z move to AA, AB...

MARKING CUES IN A SCRIPT

Every stage manager has a different way of marking cues in their script. The general idea is to have the name of the cue next to the place in the script the where it will be called. I like to use colored tabs to mark cues which helps me easily identify what I am about to call. 

You should also mark stand-by’s for each cue. As a convention, I like to mark them about half a page before they are called.