Shot Blocking and The 180 Degree Rule

The 180 Degree Rule

The 180 degree rule is a camera angle that centers around two character. When using the 180 degree rule you create a imaginary line in between the two characters. This line is called the action line while shooting you must keep the camera on one side of the action line while focusing on the characters, if you go over the imaginary action line this can disorientate the viewer, confuse them, lose the sense of whats happening, when the scene is happening and the position of the characters and makes them look like they've changed position . When the camera crosses the action this is called jumping the line or crossing the line. If you do want to cross over the action line you have to show this in the film by panning over the characters shoulders and do the same when you want to go back.