The 180 Degree rule 1. What is the 180 Degree Rule? One of the first things taught in film school is the 180 degree line. It’s a helpful jumping off point because it introduces you to a practical rule of cinema, and invites you to think visually. Let’s jump right in, and get you caught up on one of the most important rules to know for any type of video production.

180 DEGREE RULE Definition What is the 180 degree rule? The 180 degree rule is a filmmaking guideline for spatial relations between two characters on screen. The 180 rule sets an imaginary axis, or eye line, between two characters or between a character and an object. By keeping the camera on one side of this imaginary axis, the characters maintain the same left/right relationship to each other, keeping the space of the scene orderly and easy to follow. When the camera jumps over the invisible axis, this is known as crossing the line or breaking the line, and it can produce a disorienting and distracting effect on a viewer.

What does the 180 degree rule do? Following the rule will establish orientation.

Breaking the rule will disorient and signal unease.

Bending the rule signals a gradual change in your scene.

180 degree rule in video production 2. How to follow the 180 degree rule The rule states that once you’ve established your line, you must then decide which side of the line you will place each subsequent camera setup. In short, you need to keep your camera on the same side of “The Line.” Otherwise, you’ve crossed the line. Here is a the restaurant scene from Heat that practices the 180 line perfectly. The 180 degree line runs across the table through Pacino to De Niro… Watch the video, but pay attention to their eyeline:

180 Degree Line | Heat

Pacino looks camera right. De Niro looks camera left. This is done so the viewer can keep a sense of orientation during the scene. Some films and filmmakers have elected to keep a consistent line throughout their entire film. This level of consistency is fantastic, and those films surely benefit from such ruthless attention to detail, but isn't necessary for every story. There are moments where you can benefit from breaking or bending the 180 degree rule, and while they are up to interpretation, the feeling a line breaks generates should inform your decision. If it doesn’t, you may be wasting cinematic energy.

180 degree rule & group Eyeline Match 3. Manage scenes with multiple eye lines If you find yourself filming a scene with a group of characters, it helps to think of your set as though it were a stage play, with the camera placed in the audience. The same line that separates the viewer from the performers is the same line you will use to maintain a constant screen direction.

180 Degree Line | Heat

You can go past this line, and attempt to establish individual lines between each character, but each time you do this you will amplify the degree of difficulty for maintaining a consistent orientation throughout the scene. Keep your camera setups “in the seats,” you’ll be able to maintain a single line. This is also when film blocking becomes important, especially when you're working with a group of actors. Watch the video essay below to learn how to block your scenes effectively:

180 degree rule with Objects & Vehicles 4. Manage vehicles & moving objects The 180 degree rule is important for dialogue scenes, but it’s absolutely vital for scenes with a character or object traveling through frame. If your car is driving from right to left… When you cut, both the car and the characters should be moving in a consistent screen direction, otherwise it looks like we’re headed back where we came from. Here's an excellent (and rather silly) example from Dumb and Dumber. You’ll notice how the screen direction is maintained from Nebraska to Aspen, and this helps the audience establish orientation over great distances.