Storyboard of "Dumbo"

The directors, Samuel Armstrong and Norman Ferguson, of Dumbo had a lot to consider when directing this scene (Pink Elephants on Parade). To start, it is an animation so Armstrong and Ferguson had to work with the animators to create images that would not only flow, but also aesthetically look nice for the audience. To make this happen, the Rule of Thirds was used. Each of the storyboard images show that the subject is placed slightly off center at the cross points that define the Rule of Thirds. This draws the eye as is evident with the fifth storyboard image of Dumbo setting watching the bubbles dance and change shape. The 180 degree rule is also used for this sequence of images. The camera stays in front of the images of elephants and does not cross this boundary. The base line of the 180 degree arc is determined by the line of action being preformed by the elephant bubble. As it runs and dances, the camera does not cross it. Since this is an animation, there is no dolly to break this rule and no other characters are entering scene to change the line. Even after the camera cuts to Dumbo and then back to the elephant (which is not shown in storyboard) it keeps with the 180 degree line that was already in place. This particular scene did not use the Rule of 30. There was no need to avoid a jump cut, so the camera position did not have to move 30 degrees nor did the image have to adjust by 30%. Being an animation helped to not have to worry about jump cuts.
Armstrong and Ferguson did not break the180 degree rule, 30 Rule, or the Rule of Thirds (although my drawings do not give that justice). The scene was done with skill and talent in regards to keeping the rules. The directors had a lot more obstacles in keeping the rules in check because of the animation. Animators create the images and are probably not thinking about how they need to keep to the rules in order for a quality overall scene. The directors really had to step in and make the scene happen. I think for this film, the directing kept to the rules and was skillfully done.