180 DEGREE RULE

The 180 Degree Rule is an important aspect of the film grammar. The Director's template has a tool for drawing in the 180 degree axis and it is worthwhile to get in the habit of drawing it in.

Crossing the 180 degree axis can be very confusing since the directions established for the viewer is changed. An example of this would be like watching a football game with the runner going to the right and all of a sudden we cut to him running to the left. It would make the viewer wonder if he was running the wrong way or not.

This video may help to elaborate on defining the 180 degree rule:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBPw9C57TuU&feature=related