Test your basic knowledge |

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. The use of editing techniques - such as a fade or dissolve - to indicate the end of one scene and the beginning of another






2. 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






3. The shape of the image onscreen as determined by the width of the frame relative to its height






4. A type of short film that blends elements of documentary and avant-garde film to document and often to celebrate the wonder of the modern city






5. 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






6. The chip in a video camera that converts the incoming light to an electronic signal






7. Everything audiences hear when they watch a sound film. The soundtrack is the composite of all three elements of film sound: dialogue - music - and sound effects






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






9. The length in minutes for a film to play in its entirety (for example - 120 minutes). Also referred to as 'screen time.'






10. A machine used to create optical effects such as fades - dissolves - and superimpositions. Most are now created digitally






11. A style associated with Hollywood filmmaking of the studio and post-studio era - in which efficient storytelling - rather than gritty realism or aesthetic innovation - is of paramount importance






12. A shot taken by a camera that is held manually rather than supported by a tripod - crane or Steadicam. Generally - such shots are shaky - owing to the motion of the camera operator






13. Drawing attention to the process of representation (including narrative and characterization) to break the theatrical illusion and elicit a distanced - intellectual response in the audience






14. A statement that presents an argument about a film's meaning and significance






15. The selection and ordering of narrative events presented in a film






16. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






17. A shot that depicts a human body from the feet up






18. A system of constructing and arranging buildings and objects on the set so that they diminish in size dramatically from foreground to background - which creates the illusion of depth






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






20. The practice of shooting during the day but using filters and underexposure to create the illusion of nighttime






21. A narrative moment that signals an important shift of some kind in character or situation






22. 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






23. A change of focus from one plane of depth to another. As the in-focus subject goes out of focus - another object - which has been blurry - comes into focus in either the background or the foreground






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






25. The technique of telling the story from an all-knowing character. Films that use restricted narration limit the audience's perception to what one particular character knows - but may insert moments of omniscience






26. A direct vocal address to the audience - Which may emanate from a character or from a narrative voice apparently unrelated to the diegesis






27. Non-diegetic; any element in the film that is not part of the imagined story world






28. The period after principal photography during which editing and looping take place - and special visual effects are added to the film






29. Reels of film that are shipped to movie theaters for exhibition. Digital cinema - which can be distributed via satellite - broadband - or on media such as DVDs - may soon replace film prints because the latter are expensive to create - copy - and dis






30. A non-standard narrative organization that assumes 'day in the life' quality rather than the highly structured three-act or four part narrative - and that features loose or indirect cause-effect relationships






31. A technique of shifting the camera angle - height - or distance to take into account the motion of actors or objects within the frame






32. The space between the camera and subject it is filming.






33. A device worn by a camera operator that holds the motion picture camera - allowing it glide smoothly through spaces unreachable by camera mounted on a crane or other apparatus






34. Cinema verite; a documentary style in which the filmmaker attempts to remain as unobtrusive as possible - recording without obvious editorial comment






35. 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






36. Wheeled platform with wheels that rotate - so the dolly can change direction






37. A device worn by a camera operator that holds the motion picture camera - allowing it glide smoothly through spaces unreachable by camera mounted on a crane or other apparatus






38. A form of shot transition - generally concluding a scene - where a circular mask constricts around the image until the entire frame is black






39. A rule in continuity editing - which dictates that if a cut occurs while a character is in the midst of an action - the subsequent shot must begin so that audiences see the completion of that action






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






41. The camera does not move across an imagined line drawn between two characters






42. A crew member whose job is to maintain consistency in visual details from one shot to the next






43. Fish-eye lens; With a focal length of 15mm or less - this lens presents an extremely distorted image - where objects in the center of the frame appear to bulge toward the camera






44. Then Hollywood writers and directors cited for Contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with the House Committee on Un-American Activities' attempts to root out Communists in the film industry






45. An efficient system developed for film lighting. In a standard lighting set-up - the key light illuminates the subject - the fill light eliminates shadows cast by the key light - and the back light separates the subject from the background






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






47. A shot that includes a human figure from the shoulders up






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






49. A crew member whose job is to measure the distance between the subject and the camera lens - marking the ring on the camera lens - and ensuring the ring is turned precisely so that the image is in focus






50. The individual arrangement of lighting and camera placement used for each shot