30 degree rule

The 30 degree rule is rule used in filmmaking with the purpose of creating continuity between different shots within a larger sequence of shots. Many filmmakers use an “anything more than a 10 degree change in angle” while others say no less than 25 degrees. However, a 25 to 30 degree minimum change in angle seems to be the agreed upon norm. When moving your camera between shots the camera should be moved a minimum of 25 to 30 degrees to avoid jarring transitions also known as jump cuts.

Let’s say in this scene we want to expose the facial expression of our main character so we might start with a wide shot to show context and then change your angle by 30 degrees and move into a medium shot or close up. the shot would look pointless and messy if the shot was changed within 10-degree's.

An example where this would be used in a film is in a romance film for example between a couple and they and having a conversation; if the shot did not use this rule then I could look as thought the film is unprofessional and it would draw the audiences attention to that and not to the depth of the scene.