The 180 degree rule states that the camera must remain on the same side of an imaginary line drawn perpendicular to the viewpoint established in the establishing shot. Breaking this rule will confuse audiences as it shifts characters' eye lines and sense of orientation. The only acceptable reason to break the rule is for a specific creative effect. Maintaining the rule ensures continuity and that the audience can follow what is happening on screen.

1. THE 180 DEGREE RULE

2. The rule The rule states that the camera(s) should remain the same side of an imaginary line The line is drawn perpendicular the camera’s viewpoint in the establishing shot of the scene The rule enforces continuity of the film An example is that in a car chase scene, if the car is travelling from right to left, the next shot must also be shot from the same side, meaning the car has to enter the frame right to left again The same applies for football matches and other sport

3. Never break the rule The rule should never be broken Only defence for breaking the rule is ‘for effect’ Breaking the rule will confuse the audience, especially in scenes of chase, conversation or sport Camera must always be on one side of the line This is an example of the rule being obeyed

4. Eye line Crossing the line when filming over the shoulder shots shifts the person’s eye line, meaning that the actors’ eye lines do not match The two people should always be on the same side of frame in each shot As seen below, crossing the line makes it look like the actor is looking in the opposite direction

5. Eye line

6. Results of breaking the rule Confusion of audience Audience lose focus Become disorientated Miss vital parts of the film

7. Ways around the rule The only way to cross the line without disorientating the audience is to show the camera movement You cannot cut across the line or the viewer will not be orientated Once the line has been crossed, and movement shown, you have to stay on that side of the line, unless you show the movement back over it

8. Video example This clip shows a violation of the rule used for effect The effect created is that of a shot/reverse/shot, but really, the subject is just one character

9. Shot/reverse/shot This is a film technique whereby one character is shown looking at another off-screen character The camera then cuts to the second character looking back at the first The characters are shown facing opposite directions, so the audience assume they are looking at each other

10. Match on action This is a film technique used to ensure continuity It allows two different views of an action, without distorting continuity For example, if you film a person throwing a ball in the air, you can then cut and film it from a different angle, making sure that the arm is in the same stage of motion at the beginning of the second shot as it was at the end of the first shot