{"id":3201,"date":"2021-04-04T13:07:08","date_gmt":"2021-04-04T13:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new-blog.artlist.io\/?p=3201"},"modified":"2022-02-27T19:55:58","modified_gmt":"2022-02-27T19:55:58","slug":"180-degree-rule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new-blog.artlist.io\/blog\/180-degree-rule\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the 180\u00ba Rule and How to Use It"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 180\u00ba rule\u2013not to be confused with\u00a0180\u00ba shutter angle<\/a>, and sometimes called just the 180-rule\u2013is there to help you with your camera placement when you have two or more characters interacting in a scene. It was devised to maintain consistent eyelines, which helps your story flow and your audience keep track of who is talking.<\/p>\n

Why do you need the 180\u00ba rule?<\/h2>\n

When you have two or more characters interacting in a scene or a character interacting with a specific object, their left-right relationship or the direction they face to talk to each other should remain consistent. This consistency is vital for your audience as it helps them in following the story and knowing which character is speaking. If Character B was looking at Character A from camera-left, but the direction suddenly changes, and Character B then looks at Character A from camera-right, it\u2019s confusing and can break the spell of your story-telling.<\/p>\n

The 180-rule is there to ensure that your characters maintain consistent eyelines in a scene, which helps your story flow and your audience remain immersed in the narrative and not lose track of things.<\/p>\n

What is the 180\u00ba rule and how do you use it?<\/h2>\n

\"180<\/p>\n

The 180-rule is an imaginary eyeline that runs between the characters in your scene. Your camera should not cross this line.<\/p>\n

With the camera anywhere in the green sector, the character in orange will always be camera-left, and the character in blue will be camera-right. Should the camera cross the line and enter the red sector, these placements are reversed, confusing the audience.<\/p>\n