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It is important in learning any language to understand its grammar, and it is no different
for video language.
The language has four basic grammatical rules.
The 180-degree rule deals with any framed spatial (right to left or left to right) relationship
between a character and another character or object. It is used to maintain consistent
screen direction between the characters.
When a character is opposite another character or object, an imaginary line exists between
that character and the other character.
As long as both characters are contained in the same shot there is no problem.
What happens to the sight lines when we jump the axis during a scene? Our first character
will be looking camera right and another will also be looking camera right. When the two
shots are cut together the result be that the subjects will be looking in the opposite
directions and audience will become confused.
Can we break the rule? Or is it possible to cross the axis? Yes we can but we can discuss
it later.