Tuesday, 4 October 2011

Continuity editing - 180˚ Rule

When two characters are talking to each other you can join them by a line. When filming these characters they should always have the same right left relationship, the camera should only stay on one side of the black line and on either the red or blue line to ensure this.

For example, if the first shot shown was from camera 1 the show would look like this: 

If the next shot was from camera 4 it would be disorientating for the viewer because the characters would be the opposite way round,:



But if we follow the 180 rule and take a shot from the same side of the line as camera 1 is on (such as from camera 3) the characters keep the same left right relationship:

But just because you start on one side this does not mean you have to stay that side for the whole scene. The line may be crossed as long as the transition is shown on camera.

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