180 Degree Rule and Shot Reverse Shot

The 180 Degree Rule

The 180 degree rule is a filming rule that states that a camera should remain on one side of an imaginary line. The line has to be horizontal to the camera's viewpoint in an establishing shot. The rule helps to create continuity in a film. For example in a conversation between two characters the rule can easily be applied. When filming a conversation you have to make sure you stay on the same side of an imaginary straight line to make sure that the characters being filmed are framed on the same sides in scenes allowing their eye lines to match. Breaking the rule can cause confusion as characters will look like they looking away from one another even thought their dialogue is between the two of them. Hence breaking the rule would create a sense of a false reality, considering that in most cases people share eye contact when talking to each other. If you want to break the rule and cross the line you must include the movement of the camera over the line within the edit. 

Shot Reverse Shot

The Shot reverse shot allows viewers to see characters expressions easily within a conversation.  Its an editing technique where the camera isn't seen moving between shots and frames characters faces,yet quick cuts are used whilst editing. Therefore, creating pace and highlighting each characters reactions and emotions within a clip clearly to viewers. So, using shot reverse shot can be key when trying to portray a mood to viewers.
 An example of shot reverse shot could be when two characters have a conversation. Character A may be framed in a shot talking and then the clip may cut to a shot of character B replying to character A. The clip may then cut back to character A further responding to character B. One of the characters is shown off-screen when the other character is denoted talking. This suggests that the actors are looking at one another whilst talking, which helps create a sense of continuity. 

Script

Below, I've created a script to use for a demonstration of shot reverse shot and the 180 degree rule in a filming activity.

Character A: "Hey, how were your lessons?"
Character B: "They were good thanks, I don't have any homework today. How about you?"
Character A: "Hmm, they were okay can't wait to get home. I got a detention in English today."
Character B: "Oh really? That sucks!"
Character A: "Yeah oh well I don't like English anyway."
Character B: "Do you want to go McDonald's after school then?"
Character A: "Oh yeah! I could do with a burger!"
Character B: "Mmmmm lets go then."

Evaluation
On one hand a lot went well when filming the activity in relation to using the the 180 degree rule and shot reverse shot. Both techniques are used  very accurately within the clip. This is clear as both characters are shown facing each other when exchanging dialogue which meets the 180 degree rule. Characters also stay on the same side of the frames throughout the clip, and don't suddenly move which also relates to the rule being followed. In addition, the conversation was broken down successfully into two perspectives and then edited within iMovie to denote the characters dialogues being cut back and forth from one another.

On the other hand, there were also some flaws that should be overcome when filming in the future.
One of the issues within the clip was bad lighting. The lighting within the scene has an orange tint to it and looks quite unnatural in a school setting. To overcome this issue, I would take lighting into more consideration when choosing a location to film in. Making sure that both natural and unnatural lighting is more practical. In addition, lighting could be improved by using false lighting whilst filming.
Another aspect of the video that could have been improved was the pauses within shot reverse shot. Characters can be seen straying eye contact away from each other before cuts. Causing the conversation to look forced and unnatural. Hence contradicting the idea of filming with continuity in mind. So to avoid this from happening in future I would pay closer attention to cutting parts of a clips when editing. As well as focusing on editing, I would make it clear to actors that they should keep natural eye contact within a conversation even when they are waiting for a reply, as it will make the editing process easier and more continuous.
Further more, within the shot reverse shot the characters are shown through a side profile where as they could have been looking slightly towards the camera more to make it look like the camera was positioned to meet characters eye lines. By facing slightly towards the camera characters facial expressions would be more dominant within the conversation. To overcome this problem in future, I should try to angle the camera's so they follow characters eye lines.