180 Degree Rule

180 Degree Rule

The 180 degree rule is used when filming a scene with two characters opposite each other. To follow the 180 degree rule the camera must stay the same side of the imaginary axis (shown in the picture below) meaning that the character on the left stays on the left and the character on the right stays on the right. This is done to avoid confusing the audience when the character on the left suddenly appears on the right and vice versa. Sometimes the 180 degree rule is deliberately broken in what is described as a reverse shot, when the camera moves to the other side of the imaginary axis.