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






2. Using computer graphics to 'build' structures connected to the actual architecture on set or location






3. A technique of arranging the actors on the set to take advantage of deep focus cinematography - which allows for many planes of depth in the film frame to remain in focus






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






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






6. The first step in the process of creating CGI. The wireframe is a three-dimensional computer model of an object - which is then rendered (producing the finished image) and animated (using simulated camera movement frame by frame)






7. A group of films within a given genre that share their own specific set of conventions that differentiate them from other films in the genre. For example - the slasher film is a subgenre of the horror genre






8. Using computer graphics to 'build' structures connected to the actual architecture on set or location






9. A method for producing a widescreen image without special lenses or equipment - using standard film stock and blocking out the top and bottom of the frame to achieve an aspect ration of 1.85:1






10. A post-studio era Hollywood film designed to appeal to the broadest possible audience by fusing a simple story line with major movie stars and mounting a lavish marketing campaign






11. The practice of Hollywood studios contracting out post-production work to individuals or firms outside the U.S.






12. 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






13. The distance in millimeters from the optical center of a lens to the lane where the sharpest image is formed while focusing on a distant object






14. A digital technique developed by Industrial Light and Magic - which builds movement sequences from single frames of film






15. A long shot in which the film frame resembles the proscenium arch of the stage - distancing the audience






16. Any narrative - visual - or sound element that is repeated and thereby acquires and reflects its significance to the story - characters - or themes of the film.






17. 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






18. Standard shot pattern: A sequence of shots designed to maintain spatial continuity. Scene begin with an establishing shot - then move to a series of individual shots depicting characters and action - before reestablishing shots re-orient viewers to t






19. A painting used on the set as a portion of the background






20. A narrative approach that limits the audience's view of events to that of the main character(s) in the film. Occasional moments of omniscient narration may give viewers more information than the character shave at specific points in the narrative






21. Assists the gaffer in managing lighting crews






22. Suspended particles of silver in the film's emulsion - Which may become visible in the final image as dots






23. A shot taken from a camera position above the subject - looking down at it






24. A type of matte shot - created by positioning a pane of optically flawless glass with a painting on it between the camera and the scene to be photographed. This combines the painting on the glass with the set or location - seen through the glass - be






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






26. A filter that creates points of light that streak outward from a light source






27. An optical technique that divides the screen into two or more frames






28. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






29. A style of Japanese animation - distinguished primarily by the fact that it is not all geared for young audiences






30. A class or type of film - such as the Western or the horror movie. They share narrative - visual - and/or sound conventions






31. A long shot in which the film frame resembles the proscenium arch of the stage - distancing the audience






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






33. 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






34. 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






35. A type of documentary film whose purpose is to present the way of life of a culture or subculture






36. 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






37. 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






38. Dutch angle; a shot resulting from a static camera that is tilted to the right or left - so that the subject in the frame appears at a diagonal






39. Suspended particles of silver in the film's emulsion - Which may become visible in the final image as dots






40. Louis Althusser's term for the way in which a society creates its subjects/citizens through ideological (as opposed to repressive) state apparatuses - which include education - media - religion - and the family






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






42. 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






43. 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






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






45. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






46. A technique in which the audience temporarily shares the visual perspective of a character or a group of characters. The camera points in the directions the character looks - simulating the character's field of vision






47. A format that uses a larger film stock than standard 35mm. IMAX - Omnimax - and Showscan are shot on 70mm film






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 shot taken from a camera mounted on a crane that moves three-dimensionally in a space






50. A shot transition that emphasizes the visual similarities between two consecutive shots