The Art Direction Handbook for Film

APPENDIX F

F

GLOSSARY

All terms that are “bolded” in the text

180 degree ruleA screen direction rule that camera operators must follow—an imaginary line on one side of the axis of action is made, e.g., between two principal actors in a scene. The camera must not cross over that line; otherwise there is a distressing visual discontinuity and disorientation. Camera placement must adhere to the 180-degree rule.

24 frames per secondRefers to the standard frame rate or film speed, e.g., the number of frames or images that are projected or displayed per second. In the silent era before a standard was set, many films were projected at 16 or 18 frames per second, but that rate proved to be too slow when attempting to record optical film sound tracks, ...