The 180 Degree Rule

The 180 degree rule is used so that people at home can understand where everyone is in the scene. In real life, we have context as to where everyone around us is positioned, however, the audience can only see what the director positions them to see, so it is important to set up people's proxemics and positions within the scene.

There is a line between the two actors in conversation, this provides the basis for the rule. Now, the filmmakers can shoot 180 degrees around that line so that both characters stay in the same place throughout the whole scene and do not switch sides, this can also end up with one actor looking as though they are talking to themselves.

Example - The Graham Norton Show

The first shot establishes the line, then the guests always speak to the left and Graham Norton always speaks to the right, to avoid confusion and uphold the continuity of the show.

My task was to set up a similar sequence of shots to show mu understanding of the 180 degree rule. For this I used my dogs to create 3 shots. An establishing wide shot, an over-the-shoulder shot and a close-up.