AS MEDIA BLOG:
MAKDA MICHAEL
180 DEGREE RULE - IN MORE DETAIL
180 degree rule is when you film over a character's shoulder, it shows that the other character opposite them is listening. This technique is always used when dialogue takes place between 2 (or more) characters. Here, the 180 degree rule is broken here to disorientate us and it gets us to feel a certain way.
However,you must insure that this technique is done correctly for the viewers to notice the effect. When you switch the camera over the other character's shoulder, you should ensure that the camera is on the same side. If not, you're breaking the rule, just like this photo from the batman film.
When I asked Zara 'How was it?' The camera was behind her left shoulder showing my face as I was talking. When she responded 'It was great'- The camera then changed position- it was over my left shoulder which showed that I was listening. That's how we knew we've used the rule correctly. No one broke the 180 degree line.
Incorrectly
Correctly
Introduction to 180 degree rule...
Here, we can see that the rule is used corectly as the camera is over the his right shoulder, then as we switch we see that the camera is just above the other man's left shoulder. So we realize that the camera man hasn't gone beyond the 180 degree line.
