180 Degree Axis Rule

The purpose of the 180 Degree Axis Rule is to establish and maintain the screen direction of your actors or action in a particular scene. If you don't successfully achieve the 180 degree rule then it can be very difficult for your audience to follow what's going on in the scene. The most important factor about the 180 degree rule is the line of action. The line of action is a imaginary straight line between a subject and the item or person they are interacting with and its also a straight line drawn along a path that a subject is moving on.

Before introducing the 180 degree scene the establishing shot is normally placed to help orientate the audience. The establishing shot gives the viewer the basic geography of the scene and determines screen direction of the actors of action. As long as the camera doesn't cross the action line our actors sight line stays consistent. This prevents the viewer from being confused. If we cross the action line the actors won't look like they are looking at each other like they are meant to be, this will create confusion for the audience.

Breaking the 180 degree rule can be used for dramatic purposes such as creating a disoriented feeling, like showing that the character is lost and this effect can give the audience the same feeling.



Here is an example of the 180 degree rule:



During this scene both characters are having a conversation with each other, the 2 cameras constantly flick back and forth onto each character as soon as its their turn to speak. Both cameras are placed behind the line of action but on each end of the room. Both characters are not looking directly at each other but instead they are staring at the camera that is opposite them to make it appear to the audience that they are staring directly at each other. This makes it easier for the audience to follow the action.