The 180 Degree Rule

The 180 degree rule in filmmaking terms is the spatial relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene. An imaginary line called the axis connects the characters and by keeping the camera on one side of this axis for every shot in the scene, the first character will always be framed right whereas the second character or object will always be framed left. If the camera passes over the line it is known as crossing the line or jumping the line.

The 180 degree rule allows the audience to visually connect with unseen movement happening around and behind the immediate subject and is important or the narration of films, avoiding crossing the line is a problem as if for example a character is framed on the right side of the scene, crossing the line and using a jump cut to now show that character on the left side would disorientate the audience, however sometimes the rule can be occasionally broken if the aim is to create a sense of disorientation for the audience.