The 180 Degree Rule

I had planned to focus on the 180 degree rule as the centre of my Minor project but as time went on, I came to realise and Mike also mentioned that the idea of the 180 degree rule is a level 4 concept, but as I had planned I decided to look into it anyway and gain a good understanding of it.

As I did my research it became apparent how simple the idea of this concept was. The 180 degree rule sets up an invisible line in which the camera cannot cross to avoid disorientation the audience and by confusing characters eye lines. 

Like I've said before my initial idea was to create a simple scene where I used these rules and another where I had ignored there rules to compare the effect, but the more and more, I looked into this, I realised that the questions I had about this subject, had already been answered. 

Has the rule ever been broken before? 

Yes, it has, multiple times. Stanley Kubrick has broken the rule many times, including all other cinema rules for that matter. Most notably in The Shinning (1980) in a bathroom scene, where the camera does a full 180 flip to go from Jack Nicholson on the left to him then being on the right in relation to the other character. 

What effect does it have? 

Well in relation to The Shinning, it gives you a sense of unease. Its not too noticeable and I think it would go fully unnoticed to the average film fan, but yet I feel it effects you on a more of a personal level. 

After discussing all of these things above, I decided that I will shift my focus from this onto something a little bit more advanced. I am hoping to look into some lens altercations and some camera techniques that I will be able to work on.