Published: September 23, 2024
The 30-degree rule is a guideline for camera placement that helps create smoother cuts between shots of the same subject. According to this rule, when cutting from one shot to another of the same subject, the camera should move at least 30 degrees along the axis of that subject between the two shots. This avoids a jump cut, which can be jarring for the audience.
Why the 30-degree Rule is Important
I use the 30-degree rule all the time when shooting corporate interviews with multiple cameras.
If the camera moves by less than 30 degrees, the two shots may appear too similar, causing the cut to feel abrupt and unnatural. This can make it seem like the subject has suddenly jumped in position rather than offering a smooth movement or angle change progression.
Moving the camera at least 30 degrees ensures enough variation between shots, making the edit seamless (and saving you some time in post-production) and the narrative or interview flow smoothly.
Read more on multi-camera editing in Premiere Pro.
The 30-degree rule works hand-in-hand with continuity editing, helping maintain a coherent video edit and ensuring that transitions between shots don’t distract or confuse the viewer.
Like other cinematic rules, such as the 180-degree rule, you may break this one for stylistic reasons, but remember to do so with intention.
I don’t think I’ve ever broken the 30-degree rule in corporate video—not without masking it—fx with zooming in in post. When shooting features or short films, you get more artistic freedom.
