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Film Vocab

Subjects : performing-arts, film
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A similarity established between two characters or situations that invites the audience to compare the two. It may involve visual - narrative - and/or sound elements






2. Thin - flexible material comprised of base and emulsion layers - onto which light rays are focused and which is processed in chemicals to produce film images






3. A platform on wheels - used for mobile camera shots






4. Light emitted from a relatively small source positioned close to the subject. It tends to be unflattering because it creates deep shadows and emphasizes surface imperfections






5. A camera device that opens and closes to regulate the length of time the film is exposed to light






6. A series of individual drawings that provides a blueprint for the shooting of a scene






7. A crew member who works in post-production in a specially equipped studio to create the sounds of the story world - such as the shuffling of shoes on various surfaces for footsteps






8. Creating an image by combining several elements created separately using computer graphics rather than photographic means






9. A system for recording images on magnetic tape using a digital signal - that is - an electronic signal comprised of 0s and 1s






10. A term applied to film stock that is relatively insensitive to light. This stock will not yield acceptable images unless the amount of light can be carefully controlled






11. A contemporary modification of the standard three-act structure that identifies a critical turning point at the halfway mark of most narrative films






12. A lens with a variable focal length that allows changes of focal length while keeping the subject in focus






13. A technique used to join live action with pre-recorded background images. A projector is aimed at a half-silvered mirror that reflects the background - which the camera records as being located behind the actors






14. A shot taken from a level camera located approximately 5' to 6' from the ground - simulating the perspective of a person standing before the action presented






15. Because film stock is sensitive to the color of light - directors work with film labs in post-production to monitor the color scheme of each scene in a film - making adjustments for consistency and aesthetic effect






16. A technique of moving the camera - on a specially built track. Such shots often trace character movement laterally across the frame or in and out of the depth of the frame






17. A technique of manipulating focus to direct the viewer's attention






18. A system for combining two separately filmed images in the same frame that involves create a matte (a black mask that covers a portion of the image) for a live action sequence and using it to block out a portion of the frame when filming the backgrou






19. Dense accumulation of detail conveyed in the opening moments of a film






20. A videotape system that records images onto magnetic tape - using electronic signals






21. Any lens with a focal length approximately equal to the diagonal of the frame. For 35mm filmmaking - a 35-50 mm lens does not distort the angle of vision or depth






22. The visual arrangement of objects - actors - and space within the frame






23. The measure of intensity or purity of a color. Saturated color is purer than desaturated color - which has more white in it and thus offers a washed-out - less intense version of a color






24. A technique of filming at a speed faster than projection - the projecting the footage at normal speed of 24 frames per second. Because fewer frames were recorded per second - the action appears to be speeded up






25. An effect created when more light is required to produce an image strakes the film stock - so that the resulting image exhibits high contrast - glaring light - and washed out shadows. This effect ma or may not be intentional on the filmmaker's part






26. A device used to manipulate the amount and/or color of light entering the lens






27. An outlawed studio era practice - where studios forced exhibitors to book groups of films at once - thus ensuring a market for their failures along with their successes






28. The measurement of how forgiving a film stock is. It determines whether an acceptable image will be produced when the film stock is exposed to too little or too much light






29. A standard shot pattern that dictates that a shot of one character will be followed by a shot of another character - taken from the reverse angle of the first shot






30. The central cause(s) behind a character's actions






31. Public identity created by marketing a film actor's performances - press coverage - and 'personal' information to fans as the star's personality






32. The classical model of narrative form. The first act introduces characters and conflicts; the second act offers complication leading to a climax; the third act contains the danouement and resolution






33. Assists the gaffer in managing lighting crews






34. Any lens with a focal length approximately equal to the diagonal of the frame. For 35mm filmmaking - a 35-50 mm lens does not distort the angle of vision or depth






35. A style of stage acting developed from the teachings of Constantin Stanislavsky - which trains actors to get into character through the use of emotional memory






36. Images that originate from computer graphics technology - rather than photography






37. Lighting design where the key light is somewhat more intense than the fill light - so the fill does not eliminate every shadow. The effect is generally less cheerful than high-key lighting - but not as gloomy as low-key lighting






38. Light emitted from a larger source that is scattered over a bigger area or reflected off a surface before it strikes the subject. Soft light minimizes facial details - including wrinkles






39. Sound recorded on a set - on location - or - for documentary film - at an actual real-world event - as opposed to dubbed in post-production through ADR or looping






40. A camera shot taken at a large distance from the subject. Using the human body as the subject - a long shot captures the entire human form






41. A term used for any narrative sound - or visual element not contained in the story world. Also called 'extradiegetic'






42. A technician responsible for splicing and assembling the film negative to the editor's specifications






43. A production crew responsible not for shooting the primary footage but - instead - for remote location shooting and B-roll. See also B-roll






44. A continuity editing technique that preserves spatial continuity by using a character's line of vision as motivation for a cut






45. A scene transition wherein sound from one scene bleeds over into the ext scene - often resulting in a contrast between sound image






46. An abrupt - inexplicable shift in time and place of an action not signaled by an appropriate shot transition






47. Optical illusions created during production - including the use of matte paintings - glass shots - models - and prosthesis






48. The term for a film's spoken dialogue - as opposed to the underlying meaning contained in the subtext






49. A computer-generated actor that some speculate will replace flesh and blood actors in the not so distant future






50. An action film cycle of the late 1960s and early 1970s that featured bold - rebellious African American characters