The 180-degree rule workshop:

Also known as crossing the line. It is a technique that film makers use to make sure audience know where everybody is and know where all the action is. It is a line between two subjects in a scene, where from behind that line, in a sort of semi-circle, you can position cameras around to show where the two are, and where they are facing. If the 180-degree rule is broken it doesn’t look or feel right for the audience. The best way to figure out the 180-degree rule is to decide which way your actor is facing and keep them facing in the same direction throughout the duration of the scene.

 

 

I am going to try and demonstrate the 180-degree rule. First, I am going to do a wide shot. I am using two different coloured boxing gloves for my example. The second photo shows the line between the two subjects in the frame, and the semi-circle drawn around it where cameras could be positioned.

 

 

Now I am going to try and demonstrate it with an over the shoulder shot. We can see both the black boxing glove, and the red boxing glove in this demonstration, and although it is coming from a different angle, the 180-degree rule is still in place.

 

 

Finally, I am going to use a close-up shot. Since the subject is still facing the same way, the 180-degree rule is still working, and still in place, and the audience still know where the black boxing glove is.