Grammar of the Shot, 3rd Edition

Glossary

180 Degree Line—The imaginary line established by the sight lines of subjects within a shot that determines where the 180 degree arc of safe shooting is set up for the camera coverage of that scene. Traditionally, one would not move camera to the opposite side of this action line because it would cause a reversal in the established screen direction when the shots are edited together. See also 180 Degree Rule, Axis of Action, Sight Line.

180 Degree Rule—In filmmaking, an imaginary 180 degree arc, or half circle, is established on one side of the shooting set once the camera first records an angle on the action in that space. All subsequent shots should be made from within that same semicircle. Since screen direction, left and right, for ...