Ray Dillon

** Yes, I'm aware that none of the images show up. When we switched servers, we lost some stuff, and I didn't have those backed up. I swear I'll eventually get those replaced with new ones. Sorry about that. Ignore this until then (though you might be able to figure it out just in the words.**

This is something that a lot of indie filmmakers (and artists) miss and it causes some problems, confusion, and an unprofessional look to your movie.



What's the 180 Degree Rule?

The 180 rule is set up to keep things consistent. It's REALLY helpful in any kind of chaotic action scene so you can tell what's going on (see Gladiator), but should be used for all types of scenes and just a good rule of thumb to keep things consistent.

Basically, you draw an imaginary line between two characters and keep the camera on one side of them throughout the entire scene. It's generally good to keep the main character on the left side of the screen and the secondary character on the right.



You can move the shot as high up or down anywhere on the chosen side of the characters, but just don't cross without first showing a Nuetral Shot.

What's a Nuetral Shot?

A nuetral shot is a straight on, centered shot used to transition from one side of the 180 Degree line to the other without jarring the eye.



Now, of course, rules can be broken. In fact, it was broken quite well in the Hulk movie. John Woo used a method that is used a lot in foreign films and indie films where you stay on the same character, cross to the other side of the 180 degree line (usually going in closer), cut to the other character, cross back to the original side of the 180 degree line (usually going in closer). Check it out. Kinda cool.

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LilGreenMan

OH, camera continuity. Never heard it called the 180 rule though. Where'd you get this info?

Ray Dillon

This is a pretty common problem, so I created these images and the description a couple of years ago to pass on to the different artists we work with. I don't remember for certain where I first learned of it, but I remember it being mentioned on a set of a movie we were working on and I tracked down every bit of information I could on it. I seem to remember that "The DC's Guide to Pencilling" had just about the only good example I've ever seen.

There's also the composition rule of thirds, which kinda goes hand in hand with the 180 Degree rule. This is the method of breaking the frame up into thirds and putting the characters or objects in the crosshairs of these thirds.



And this works for Nuetral Shots as well. You just place the information on one of the dividing lines:



Placing it right in the direct middle of the frame makes it look VERY odd.

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LilGreenMan

See folks? This is what you need assistant directors for

Ray Dillon

Yep.

Oh, and those goes as well for close-ups and extreme close-ups:

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Jeremy K Fiest

Funny thing about this, even before I REALLY knew about the "180 rule" I still always followed it naturally. I remember watching my very first feature I did with Goat Member and long time friend John Johnson, and remembering that throughout the entire 80 min movie we didn't break the line once.

Pretty good for a couple of high school kids, who had no idea what they were doing, right?

Though, of course, not breaking the "180 rule" still didn't make up for the movie being crap!

jkf

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LilGreenMan

Eh, depending on the movie it can work. I believe in 25th hour it works and alot of tarantino stuff. He never does the eyeline stuff. It causes the movie to make you more tense. Good effect if you know what your doing.

Wouldn't work on that new cgi crap everywhere. That's all cartoons so they have to be streamlined and 'pretty'.

Ray Dillon

Oh, wow. I just noticed all of the image above are gone except for the first one. Not on our server. Drat. Must find them again.

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Ray Dillon - Artist . Writer . President - Golden Goat Studios, Inc.
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steveo

Ray,
Clint Eastwood breaks it in the cafeteria scene in Mystic River...he actually has the camera where a wall is in some shots.

Kind of jarring...

SteveO
e3w

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Ray Dillon

Oh, yeah, I totally remember that.

Another movie that flipped back and fourth was "The Hulk." Part of the style, rather than a single shot or something, but still.

Dang, I still need to update those images above. This thread's almost pointless without those.

I blame Jeremy.

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Ray Dillon

Okay, I FINALLY updated these. Sorry for taking so long with that, ever'body. I see it's gotten a lot of views, and I'm sure most of those were during the time when the images were broken. Had to redraw and repost them.

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Ray Dillon - Artist . Writer . President - Golden Goat Studios, Inc.
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drtaste

n/m

dave_hearn

This thread was just forwarded to me by Rich Nelson from here

Ray, I wish I had money so I could hire you!

Someday.

Good to kinda meetcha.

-Dave

Ray Dillon

Hi, Dave-

Got your PM, but your inbox was full. Thank you very much for the kind words. I appreciate you taking the time. Very nice of you. Hope this thread helped.

Have a wonderful day!

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Ray Dillon - Artist . Writer . President - Golden Goat Studios, Inc.
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