Preliminary Task - The 180 Degree Rule

Whilst doing our preliminary task, we wanted to practise using the 180 degree rule during filming. The 180 degree rule refers to an imaginary straight line through the middle of a scene, which creates a 180 degree angle along which you can move the camera.

In our scene, we had two characters sitting either side of a table, opposite each other. The red semi circle indicates the positions where we could place the camera whilst filming. If we 'crossed the line' between the two characters and filmed from the other side of the table, it would change the viewer's perspective on the scene and make it look as if the placement of characters / settings / props had changed.

We used this source to understand why how breaking the 180 degree rule would affect our preliminary task. They explain that if it was really necessary to cross the line, it would be best to have a shot on the line between, in order to introduce the audience to their new perspective and avoid disorientation.

by Rebecca