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The Wolf of Wall Street Film Blocking Techniques | Director’s Playbook

July 13, 2024

Have you ever watched a movie and felt like you were right there in the middle of the action? That’s no accident. It’s the result of masterful film blocking and staging techniques. Today, we’re diving deep into one of the most electrifying examples of these techniques in modern cinema: Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street.”

Setting the Scene: Welcome to Wall Street

Picture this: You’re standing on the bustling trading floor of Stratton Oakmont, surrounded by the frenetic energy of stock brokers making millions in mere hours. How does Scorsese make you feel like you’re really there? It’s all in the blocking.

But before we dive in, let’s break down what we mean by “blocking” and “staging”:

  • Blocking: This refers to how characters move through a scene and interact with their environment.
  • Staging: This is all about the placement and movement of the camera and scene elements.

Now that we’ve got our definitions straight, let’s explore how Scorsese uses these techniques to bring us into Jordan Belfort’s world of excess and financial chaos.

The Long Take: A Journey Through Stratton Oakmont

One of the standout scenes in “The Wolf of Wall Street” is a long, uninterrupted take that gives us a first-person tour of the Stratton Oakmont trading floor. This isn’t just any old walk-and-talk scene – it’s a masterclass in exposition and visual storytelling.

The Power of the Steadicam

Scorsese employs a steadicam for this shot, allowing the camera to glide smoothly through the chaotic trading floor. This technique creates a sense of fluidity and immediacy, making us feel like we’re right there in the thick of it.

But here’s the real genius: Scorsese uses a series of “handoffs” to guide our attention from one moment to the next. It’s like a well-choreographed dance, with each movement precisely timed to keep us engaged and informed.

Breaking Down the Blocking

Let’s walk through this scene step by step and see how Scorsese uses blocking to tell his story:

The SEC Investigators

The scene opens with Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his right-hand man, Manny, discussing the presence of SEC investigators in the building. Scorsese uses a simple but effective technique here: the eyeline match.

  1. Jordan and Manny look towards the conference room.
  2. The camera follows their gaze, leading us to the SEC investigators.
  3. An employee enters the room, becoming our new focus.
  4. The camera rotates around, following the employee as he exits.

This sequence of movements feels natural and unforced, yet it efficiently conveys crucial information about the story’s conflict.

The Bazooka in the Room

As we move through the trading floor, Jordan explains his plan to “fire off a bazooka” by offering their latest IPO (Initial Public Offering). The camera movements here are key:

  1. The steadicam weaves through the desks, giving us a sense of the cramped, high-energy environment.
  2. Jordan appears and disappears from frame, emphasizing his omnipresence in this world.
  3. Finally, Jordan reappears in the center of the frame, reasserting his position as the most important figure in the room.

This blocking reinforces Jordan’s control over his domain and his role as our guide through this financial wonderland.

The Art of the Handoff

One of the most impressive aspects of this scene is how Scorsese uses a series of “handoffs” to maintain our focus and drive the narrative forward. Let’s break down this technique:

  1. The Eye Line: As mentioned earlier, Jordan and Manny’s gaze directs us to the SEC investigators.
  2. The Enter and Exit: An employee enters the frame, draws our attention, then exits, pulling us along.
  3. The Return: Jordan reappears, reclaiming our focus.

These handoffs create a sense of momentum and keep us oriented in the space. It’s like a cinematic game of hot potato, with our attention as the potato!

Exposition Without Boredom

Let’s face it – explaining financial concepts isn’t typically the most thrilling part of a movie. But Scorsese turns this potential snoozefest into a rollercoaster ride. How? By combining dynamic blocking with Jordan’s direct address to the camera.

As Jordan explains IPOs and stock manipulation, he’s not just standing still and lecturing. He’s moving through the space, interacting with his environment, and occasionally breaking the fourth wall to speak directly to us. This approach does two things:

  1. It keeps the energy high, matching the frenetic pace of the trading floor.
  2. It makes us complicit in Jordan’s scheme, drawing us deeper into his world.

The Invisible Touch: Scorsese’s Subtle Mastery

What’s truly impressive about this scene is how invisible Scorsese’s techniques are on first viewing. The blocking and camera movements feel so natural that we don’t even realize how much information we’re absorbing.

This is the mark of a true master. Scorsese isn’t just showing off his technical skills – he’s using them in service of the story and our experience as viewers.

Beyond “The Wolf of Wall Street”: Applying These Techniques

While we’ve focused on “The Wolf of Wall Street,” these blocking and staging techniques can be applied to all sorts of scenes. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker or just a curious movie buff, here are some tips for analyzing and applying these techniques:

  1. Watch for character movement: How do characters enter and exit the frame? How does their movement guide your attention?
  2. Follow the camera: Pay attention to how the camera moves. Is it static? Handheld? On a steadicam? Each choice affects how we perceive the scene.
  3. Look for handoffs: Notice how your focus is passed from one element to another. Is it through character movement? Camera movement? Dialogue cues?
  4. Consider the space: How does the blocking utilize the set? Does it give us a clear sense of the environment?
  5. Think about pacing: How does the blocking affect the scene’s energy and rhythm?

The Big Picture: Why Blocking Matters

At the end of the day, great blocking isn’t just about creating cool shots. It’s about enhancing the story and our connection to it. In “The Wolf of Wall Street,” Scorsese’s blocking choices help us understand:

  • The chaotic, high-energy world of Stratton Oakmont
  • Jordan’s control over his environment
  • The complex, often shady nature of the financial transactions
  • The thrill and seduction of Jordan’s lifestyle

By the end of this brief scene, we’re not just informed about the plot – we’re immersed in Jordan’s world, ready to follow him on his wild ride.

Wrapping Up: The Art of Visual Storytelling

Martin Scorsese’s work in “The Wolf of Wall Street” is a masterclass in visual storytelling. Through careful blocking and staging, he turns what could have been a dry explanation of financial crimes into a thrilling, immersive experience.

The next time you watch a film, pay attention to how the director uses blocking and staging. You might be surprised at how much of the story is told not just through dialogue, but through the careful choreography of characters, camera, and space.

And if you’re feeling inspired to try your hand at planning your own elaborately blocked scene, remember: it takes careful planning and a keen eye for detail. But with practice and attention, you too can create scenes that pull viewers in and don’t let go.

So, whether you’re a budding filmmaker or just a film enthusiast, keep your eyes peeled for these techniques. They’re the invisible strings that pull us into the world of the film, making us feel like we’re right there in the room – or in this case, on the trading floor – with the characters.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to rewatch “The Wolf of Wall Street” and see what other cinematic tricks I can spot. Happy watching, and may your own projects be as dynamic and engaging as Scorsese’s masterful work!