Crossing The Line

A terrific example of the line being crossed to good effect can be seen in 'Inglourious Basterds' (2006), in the opening scene between Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) and the French farmer he's interrogating. As the scene begins, the farmer can be seen at frame right. Colonel Landa is now at frame right, due to the change in the course of the story. Also note that the light is now on Landa, pushing the farmer to the side and indicating that Landa is now the center of attention.

Because the camera has crossed the line, we know that something must have changed in the story, even though we may not immediately understand what or how. Although the 'rule' against crossing the line is often very good advice, you can see why a filmmaker might think of it instead as a '180-degree guideline.'

In interviews, as well, it pays to stick to the 180-degree rule. If, in a corporate video, an interviewer begins on the left, and then switches to the right by a director of photography breaking the rule, it could seem as though the interview were being switched around and the interviewer is now the interviewee! This helps to establish a narrative in an interview in which the viewer knows what to expect when the subject of the interview is in shot (a person answering questions) when alternated with the interviewer (questions being asked).

For a thoroughly comprehensive guide to filming interviews click here.