Blocking 101.

Have you ever wondered to yourself what is blocking? Well wonder no more. Welcome to my experience with blocking.

Source: Jaws (1975) by Universal Pictures.

As seen in the picture above, part of the boat in jaws is blocking the main characters from being seen clearly. That's all blocking really is, when an object blocks the main point of interest or the main subject. In my experience with watching the film jaws, blocking was used to make the viewer of the film feel as if they are right then and there, watching the series of events unfold right in front of their eyes. It allows the film to feel more real and gives it somewhat of eagerness to know what's going to happen next. In the Image above, Brody had just killed the shark, and Hooper was presumed dead. The boat blocking both of them, partially, allows for for a sense of anticipation and happiness, as Brody will find that Hooper is alive, and Hooper will find the shark is dead.

Source: Jaws (1975) by Universal Pictures.

Another example of blocking is portrayed in the image above as the advertisement board is blocking the main subject, which is Brody driving his car. The blocking in this case, gives you a feeling that something might happen to the people in water, ironically it says that Amity Island welcome you. Most of the time when I saw blocking, it was either because it was in some way foreshadowing what was going to happen, or because the film wanted to make the viewers feel as they were up close in the action.