180 Degree Rule

Tomorrow, (20/10/2011), we start filming the second scene within our children's film opening sequence. Within this scene will be interactions and dialogue between two of the main characters. To achieve this and to keep the professional look that we are after we will need to follow the 180 degree rule. The 180 degree rule is the single most important rule in the world of film-making, it can relate to any type of cinematography, even if there is only one character in the shot. The rule is about giving a video good continuity, and helps the viewers understand what is going on and where everything is. An example of the 180 degree rule is a conversation between two characters, just like the scene we are filming for our opening. When filming a dialogue sequence between two or more characters, the camera must stay one side of the 'imaginery' line which splits the shot into two 180 degrees semi-circles. When filming a dialogue scene, if you keep to the rule one character should be looking from left to right, and the second character should be looking from right to left, to give the sensation that they are both talking to each other. If we were to break the rule, and place another camera on the other side of the 'imaginery' line, one character would be looking left to right, and the other would also be looking left to right. This would confuse the viewer as they would both be looking the same way and it wouldn't look like they were speaking to each other. There is one instance where it is possible to cross the line. This is when the cinematographer physically moves the camera from one side to another. This could be achieved by moving handheld, using a steadi-cam, or a straight or circular track dolly.

The image to the right is a still taken from a Batman film. It is demonstrating the 180 degree rule within a conversation in the film. Batman is looking from right to left, and when the camera cuts to the Joker for a reaction shot, he will be looking left to right.

The video below explains the 180 degree rule and gives examples of how to follow it without breaking it -




For a post that explains the shot types such as 'tracking' and 'POV', click here.