They say, “If you know the rule, break it!”
Cinematographers have a great tendency to break the rules of cinematography to produce a masterpiece. The 180-degree rule is a fundamental guideline in filmmaking that helps maintain spatial orientation for the viewer. It states that the camera should remain on one side of an imaginary axis between two subjects. What if the cinematographer breaks this rule? Breaking this rule can create disorientation, but it can also be used intentionally to evoke a specific emotional response. Basically, it can unconsciously play with the minds of the viewers.
Source: 6 Underground Credit: Netflix
Many classic films have deliberately broken the 180-degree rule to create a sense of unease and confusion. Few modern films have also pushed the boundaries by using innovative camera techniques that resist the traditional rule. While the 180-degree rule is still useful as a basic principle, today's audiences are more used to unconventional camerawork. Filmmakers can now confidently break the rule when the story and creative vision call for it, as long as they do so intentionally and effectively. Apart from the 180-degree rule, there are various rules that have been intentionally broken to bring an effective outcome to a film, such as the rule of thirds, the Dutch angle, filling the frame, and other camera techniques. Few are such films where a particular aspect of cinematography is used excessively throughout the film, leading to an unconventional cinematic experience.
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