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30 degree rule or 33 degree rule?


Prasad Kumar

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In the book 'Film directing fundamentals' by Nicholas Proferes, he mentions as 33 degree rule (Page 174). In other books, it normally says as 30 degree rule. I know three degree doesn't make a difference, but I would like to know why he specify like that?

 

Thanks.

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"30 degree rule" seems to be the more commonly used term. Doesn't really matter, you just have to understand the gist of the idea, not the specifics. Truth is that it matters more that the new shot have enough of a size change to not seem like a jump than it does an angle change, but doing both isn't a bad idea.

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The 30 degree rule is one of the first rules I read (as teenager) in a study of classical continuity. A "33" degree rule would be just a typo.

 

30 is just a nice round number in the decimal number system (and 360 is easily divisible by such). In other words if you had to choose a number for what would be a good change in angle (in order to avoid a jump cut), 30 would be one you might easily come up with (compared to other nice round numbers in the context of angles).

 

C

Edited by Carl Looper
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I dont think it really applies that well though.. if the frame is anything like similar it still looks like a jump cut.. well over 30 degree,s.. conversely ,a "decent" enough change in frame size even on the same axis is totally fine.. move it over a little if you want too.. I think the change in frame size is the key.. where as a medium change in frame size and moving the camera even 50 degrees or more will still look like a jump cut.. or at very least not aesthetically pleasing..unless thats the effect you want of course..

Edited by Robin R Probyn
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But your onto another subject (face) another background and angle at least... personally I always like a dirty over shoulder too.. the 30 degree rule.. as I know it.. is presuming a direct cut to the same subject.. its a very old rule from early silent film days.. actually I wasn't taught this either at film school.. far better to have a cut away to another shot or change the frame size significantly enough to avoid jump cuts.. similar size frame direct cut will always look like a jump cut regardless of 30 degrees.. or 45 for that matter.. the only time you would want to do this would be for exactly that jarring effect.. IMHO anyway..

Edited by Robin R Probyn
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