technical reason (such as the inability to place a camera physically in the correct position), there are techniques which may be employed to attempt to hide the mistake. For example, the editor may pre-lap a word or two of dialog prior to the cut, so that the viewer will concentrate on what is being said as a distraction from the breaking of cinematic convention. Some styles used with the 180-degree rule can elicit an emotion or create a visual rhythm. By moving the camera closer to the axis for a close-up shot, it can amp up the intensity of a scene when paired with a long shot. When the camera is moved further away from the axis for a long shot after a close-up shot, it may provide a break in the action of the scene. In the Japanese anime feature Paprika, two of the main characters discuss, and demonstrate, the disorientating effect of crossing the line. Empirical research Empirical evidence exploring the importance of maintaining the 180-degree rule is limited. The basic premise is that abiding by the rule helps keep characters on the correct side of the screen. Thus, it is assumed that if the rule is violated, it can lead to distraction, and disrupt the flow of the moment. This is then extrapolated to affect the rhythm, or emotions of the scene. However, these notions are rooted in filmmakers' subjective reports, rather than empirical evidence. There has been research that demonstrated crossing the line can negatively affect the accuracy of spatial representation of the scene. Furthermore, flipping the characters' positions can disrupt the audience's understanding of the relative orientations on screen. Violations appear to also affect spatial memory for the location of objects in a scene, but does not affect memory for the narrative, the order of unfolding events, nor the understanding of narrative flow. Broadly speaking, empirical research indicates that abiding by the 180-degree rule is not important in a practical sense. Accurate spatial representations are not important for the scene, nor is it remembered across the longer duration of a movie. Furthermore, more recent research demonstrated that while viewers can spot violations, the presence of these violations have no effect on the enjoyment of the scene nor movie, when compared to not having violations. See also Continuity editing 30-degree rule References External links "The 180-degree rule" and "Breaking the 180-degree rule", two articles explaining the