Crossing the Line

When shooting multi camera or single camera from different positions you'll often hear a reference to which side of the "Line" the camera should be, where the "Line" is and whether we are "Crossing The Line".

The example above is a simple cross shoot set up of a dialogue scene between two actors. Camera positions 1 and 2 are giving a close up (CU) of each actor.

Actor A is looking from camera left to camera right on camera position 2.

Actor B is looking from camera right to left on camera position 1.

Both camera positions are the same side of the "Line" which means that when the two shots are cut together the actors will be looking at each other.

If, however, camera 1 was moved to position 1a in the diagram, it would have crossed the "Line" with the result that Actor B is now looking left to right - the same direction as Actor A. When these shots are cut together, the result is that Actor A is talking to the back of Actor B's head.

This is what happens when you unintentionally "Cross The Line"

Once you start shooting more involved scenes with several people talking and moving, the geography can become very complicated and you may have to move the "Line" to accommodate your shot structure. It's just something to keep a close eye on so that you don't get caught out later during your edit.