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






2. A shot that appears during or near the end of a scene and reorients viewers to the setting






3. A narrative - visual - or sound element that refers viewers to other films or works of art






4. 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






5. A technique of overdeveloping exposed film stock (leaving it in the chemical bath longer than indicated) in order to increase density and contrast in the image






6. A description of film stock that is highly sensitive to light






7. 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






8. A small - variable opening on a camera lens that regulates the amount of light entering the camera and striking the surface of the film






9. Also called 'stop motion photography.' A technique of photographing a scene one frame at a time and moving the model between each shot






10. A story narrated by one of the characters within the story - using the 'I' voice






11. 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






12. 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






13. 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






14. A mental phenomenon by which viewers derive more meaning from the interaction of two sequential shots than from a single shot in isolation






15. The arrangement of images to depict a unified storyline






16. A shot that makes the human subject very small in relation to his or her environment. The entire figure from head to toe is onscreen and dwarfed by the surroundings






17. Lighting design that provides an even illumination of the subject - with many facial details washed out. High-key lighting tends to create a hopeful mood - in contrast to low-key lighting






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






19. The person in charge of planning the style and look of the film with the production designer and director of photography - working with actors during principal photography - and collaborating with the editor on the final version






20. 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






21. An attribute of newer television monitors - where each frame is scanned by the electron beam as a single field. If slowed down - each frame would appear on the monitor in its entirety on the screen - rather than line by line - as is the case with int






22. The film medium's technological apparatus is inherently ideological






23. An animation technique that uses a computer program to interpolate frames to produce the effect of an object or creature changing gradually into something different. The program calculates the way the image must change in order for the first image to






24. A vertical - up-and-down - motion of an otherwise stationary camera






25. A property of older television monitors - where each frame was scanned as two fields: One consisting of all the odd numbered lines - the other all the even lines. If slowed down - the television image would appear to sweep down the screen one line at






26. A specialist who monitors the processing of color on the se and in the film lab






27. A term describing a conclusion that does not answer all the questions raised regarding characters or storylines - nor tie up all loose ends






28. A measure of a film stock's sensitivity to light. 'Fast' refers to sensitive film stock - while slow film is relatively insensitive






29. A shot combining two kinds of movement: the camera tracks in toward the subject wile the lens zooms out






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 black masking device used to black out a portion of the frame - usually for the insertion of other images






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






33. A black masking device used to black out a portion of the frame - usually for the insertion of other images






34. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






35. The aspect ratio of 1.33:1 - standardized by the Academy of Motion Picture Art and Sciences until the development of widescreen formats in the 1950s






36. A property of older television monitors - where each frame was scanned as two fields: One consisting of all the odd numbered lines - the other all the even lines. If slowed down - the television image would appear to sweep down the screen one line at






37. Processes such as Cinemascope and Cinerama - developed during the 1950s to enhance film's size advantage over the smaller television image






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






39. 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






40. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






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






42. A shot that makes the human subject very small in relation to his or her environment. The entire figure from head to toe is onscreen and dwarfed by the surroundings






43. The distance that appears in focus in front of and behind the subject. It is determined by the aperture - distance and focal length of lens






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






45. An optical effect whereby the eye continues to register a visual stimulus in the brain for a brief period after that stimulus has been removed






46. Devices that attach to actors' faces and/or bodies to change their appearance






47. A measure of the visual and sound quality of a film. Low-budget films tend to have lower production values because they lack the resources to devote to expensive pre- and post-production activities






48. 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






49. A neutral account of the basic plot and style of a film - a part of a film - or a group of films






50. Individuals who were prevented from working in the film industry because of their suspected involvement with Communist interests