The 180 Degree Rule

The 180 Degree Rule

Making a film is just not preparing a story, and gathering a team with budget but also to understand some specific rules in the world of Cinema. Rules make us perfect, and after you are perfect in them, only then you have the right to break it. A smart film maker surely ensures following the rules, and also breaking them at the right point of time. In today's post I will specify about one of the most common rule in film making, which is also very essential as well that is the 180 degree rule. This rule helps to establish the relationship between characters, and deals with the relationship of space from one character to another character, or object within a scene. The 180 Degree Rule is the crux of 'continuity editing' of a film, which is very vital to be perfect. According to this particular rule, the characters between them, for example say if we have 2 characters have an imaginary line between them which is called the 'Line of Axis'. This connects the characters together, and also the camera is just kept in one side of the axis to take the shot. The space around the characters diving two semi-circles is of 180 degree. Then 'Shot reverse Shot' will take place where it will show one character looking at the other character, so the camera can also move to closeup of both the character, but ensuring that the camera is on just one side of the axis. Breaking the axis will reverse the angle of the shot. Now this rule is followed till the 'Line of Axis' that is the imaginary line is not crossed, otherwise the rule will be broken. 180 degree rule is mostly used for the conversations between characters.

(The 180 degree rule)

The 180 degree rule is very helpful for your frame to look perfect on screen, and it's also essential for a film maker to understand the rules of cinema. With these rules it can make you a better film maker and then give you the ability to break the rule as well.