180 Degree Rule

The 180 degree rule is a guide to help while a person is filming 2 characters (or other elements). This rule applies a lot to the shot reverse shot.

During monologue of two people facing one another, the shot reverse shot should be filmed on one side of the actors. So an imaginary half circle / 130 degree on the side being filmed are all the places where the actors should be filmed with out breaking the rule. The 2 characters being filmed (or other elements) should stay on the side at all times that they started on so they have the same left/right relationship to each other.

If the camera goes pass the half circle on the side that the filming started on it will create footage of the 2 character on opposite side making it seem as if the characters just magic changed where he/she was. This is known as an arevesre angle, which unfortunately we did in are prelim but now I am fully aware of the rule and understand it I don’t think we (group) will be making that mistake while filming again.

Another example were the 180 degree rule applies to in filming is football. This because when football is being watched on tv the match is only filmed from one side of the pitch. The reason for this is because after half time the two teams switch sides and if the match was filmed from both sides of the pitch and watched on tv it will get confusing for the viewer because they will find it hard to know which end of the pitch the teams should be shooting in to score a goal.