The 180-degree rule is a basic guideline for filmmaking that involves keeping the camera on one side of an imaginary axis that connects characters within a scene. This ensures that the first character is always frame right of the second character, who is always frame left, and avoids confusing the audience by "crossing the line" or jumping to the other side of the axis with the camera.
3. 180 DEGREE RULE
The 180-degree rule is a basic
guideline regarding the on-
screen spatial relationship
between a character and
another character or object
within a scene. An imaginary
line called the axis connects
the characters and by keeping
the camera on one side of this
axis for every shot in the
scene, the first character will
always be frame right of the
second character, who is then
always frame left of the first. If
the camera passes over the
axis, it is called crossing the line
or jumping the line.
