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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. Any noticeable but unintended discrepancy from one shot to the next in costume - props - hairstyle - posture - etc.






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






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






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






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






6. Optical illusions created during post-production






7. Color. The strength of a hue is measured by its saturation or desaturation






8. A film style that emerged in the 1910s in Germany. It was heavily indebted to the Expressionist art movement of the time and influenced subsequent horror films and film noir






9. An alternative to classical and realist styles - formalism is a self-consciously interventionist approach that explores ideas - abstraction - and aesthetics rather than focusing on storytelling (as in classical films) or everyday life (as in realist






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






11. 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






12. The arrangement of actors on screen as a compositional element that suggests themes - character development - emotional content - and visual motifs






13. Creating the appearance of movement by drawing a series of frames that are projected sequentially - rather than photographing a series of still images






14. A relatively long - uninterrupted sot - generally of a minute or more






15. Projecting a series of frames of film with the same image - which appears to stop the action






16. A transparent sheet on which animation artists draw images.






17. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






18. A shot transition where shot A slowly disappears as the screen becomes black before shot B appears. A fade-in is the reverse of this process






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






20. A process of transferring film to video tapes or DVDs so that the original aspect ratio of the film is preserved






21. A visual effect created when the subject in the frame is restricted by the objects or the physical properties of the set






22. An abrupt shot transition that occurs when Shot A is instantaneously replaced by Shot B.






23. An effect created when too little light strikes the film during shooting. As a result the image will contain dark areas that appear very dense and dark (including shadows) and the overall contrast will be less than with a properly exposed image






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






25. A pan executed so quickly that it produces a blurred image - indicated rapid activity or - sometimes - the passage of time






26. An early color process that replaced silver halide grains with colored salts






27. The falling or unraveling action after the climax of a narrative that leads to resolution






28. 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






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






30. An alternative to classical and realist styles - formalism is a self-consciously interventionist approach that explores ideas - abstraction - and aesthetics rather than focusing on storytelling (as in classical films) or everyday life (as in realist






31. Glass filters whose surface is etched with spots that refract light - so they create the appearance of water droplets in the air






32. 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






33. Any noticeable but unintended discrepancy from one shot to the next in costume - props - hairstyle - posture - etc.






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






35. Sound design that blends the speech of several characters talking simultaneously - used to create spontaneity - although it may also confuse the audience






36. A short documentary on current events - show in movie theaters along with cartoons and feature films beginning in the 1930s






37. Also called 'full screen -' the technique of re-shooting a widescreen film in order to convert it to the original television aspect ration of 1.33 to 1. Rather than reproduce the original aspect ratio - as a letterboxed version does - a panned and sc






38. 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






39. 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






40. A technique of leaving empty space around the subject in the frame - in order to covey openness and continuity of visible space and to imply offscreen space






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






42. A compositing method that allows cinematographers to combine live action and settings that are filmed or created separately. Actors are filmed against a green or blue background. During post-production - this background is filled in with an image thr






43. A shot that focuses audience attention on precise details that may or may not be the focus of characters






44. The non-chronological insertion of events from the past into the present day of the story world






45. Materials intentionally released by studios to attract public attention to films and their stars. Promotion differs from publicity - which is information that is not (or does not appear to be) intentionally disseminated by studios






46. A production term referring to coordinating actors' movements with lines of dialogue






47. A technique of shooting a scene at a very high speed (96 frames per second) - then adding and subtracting frames in post-production - 'fanning out' the action through the overlapping images






48. The period of time before principal photography during which actors are signed - sets and costumes designed - and locations scouted






49. A device attached to the film camera that records videotape of what has been filmed - allowing the director immediate access to video footage






50. A technique of shooting a scene at a very high speed (96 frames per second) - then adding and subtracting frames in post-production - 'fanning out' the action through the overlapping images