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






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






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






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






5. An agreement made between filmmakers and those who license the use of commercial products to feature those products in films - generally as props used by characters






6. 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






7. 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






8. A statement that asserts a judgment that a given film or group of films is good or bad - based on specific criteria - Which may or may not be stated






9. A lens with a shorter focal length than a normal or telephoto lens (usually between 15-35mm). The subject appears smaller as a result - but the angle of vision is wider and an illusion is created of greater depth in the frame






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






11. A complete narrative unit within a film - with its own beginning - middle - and end. Often scenes are unified - and distinguished from one another - by time and setting






12. The building block of a scene; an uninterrupted sequence of frames that viewers experience as they watch a film - ending with a cut - fade - dissolve - etc. See also Take






13. A shot filmed from an airplane or helicopter






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






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






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






17. Recording images at a slower speed than the speed of projection (24 frames per second). Before cameras were motorized - this was called undercranking. Fewer frames are exposed in one minute - so - when projected at 24 f.p.s. - that action takes less






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. Prefogging; a cinematographic technique that exposes raw film stock to light before - during - or after shooting - resulting in an image with reduced contrast. This effect can also be created using digital post-production techniques






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






21. Dialogue that restates What is already obvious from images or action






22. 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






23. A term for film stock used in early cinema that was insensitive to red hues






24. The camera should move at least 30 degrees any time there is a cut within a scene






25. A series of related scene joined through elliptical editing that indicates the passage of time






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






27. 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






28. A shot taken from a vantage point so close that only a part of the subject is visible. On an actor - it might show only an eye or a portion of the face






29. Muted - washed out color that contains more white than a saturated color






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






31. Also called 'rushes.' Footage exposed and developed quickly so that the director can assess the day's work






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






33. A picture element - a measure of image density. There are approximately 18 million pixels in a frame of 35mm film and 300000-400000 in a video image






34. The horizontal turning movement of an otherwise immobile camera across a scene from left to right or vice versa






35. The narrative path of the main or supporting characters - also called a plotline. Complex films may have several lines of action






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






37. The first print made from a film negative






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






39. A film style that - in contrast to the classical and formalist styles - focuses characters - place - and the spontaneity and digressiveness of life - rather than on highly structured stories or aesthetic abstraction






40. Assists the editor with various tasks - including taking footage to the lab - checking the condition of the negative - cataloguing footage - and supervising optical effects - often produced by an outside company






41. The non-chronological insertion of scenes of events yet to happen into the present day of the story world






42. The way an actor delivers a line of dialogue - including pauses - inflection - and emotion






43. A term that refers to the organization of an industry wherein one type of corporation also owns corporations in allied industries - for example - film production and video games






44. 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






45. 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






46. A scene transition in which the first frame of the incoming scene appears to push the last frame of the previous scene off the screen horizontally






47. A film process that uses 35mm film stock but changes the orientation of the film so that the film moves through the camera horizontally instead of vertically. The larger image is of higher quality than standard 35mm processes






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






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






50. Also called 'rushes.' Footage exposed and developed quickly so that the director can assess the day's work