What does the term "blocking" refer to in film?

The term "blocking" in film specifically refers to the staging of actors' movements and positioning within a scene. This involves planning where actors will stand, how they will move, and how they will interact with each other and the environment. Effective blocking is crucial for storytelling, as it influences the viewer's understanding of the scene, the dynamics between characters, and the overall visual composition of the shot. It allows the director to orchestrate not only the physical movement but also the emotional beats of a scene, ensuring that each action serves the narrative purpose.

In contrast, the other options touch on different aspects of film production. The order of scenes in the script relates to the script's structure, determining how the storyline unfolds. Shooting the film in sequence refers to filming scenes in the order in which they appear, which is often not practical for most productions due to logistical issues like location availability or actor schedules. Audio mixing during editing is a critical aspect of post-production, focusing on how sound is balanced and combined, which is distinctly separate from the physical movements of actors during filming.