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






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






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






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






5. A technique of moving from the telephoto position to the wide-angle position of a zoom lens - which results in the subject appearing to become smaller within the frame - while remaining in focus






6. A story; a chain of events linked by cause-and-effect logic






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






8. A chemical embedded in the emulsion layer of film stock that - when developed after exposure - releases a particular color dye (red - green - or blue)






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. Natural light; The process of suing sunlight rather than artificial studio lights when filming






11. A technique used to join live action with a pre-recorded background image. A projector is placed behind a screen and projects an image onto it. Actors stand in front of the screen and the camera records them in front of the projected background






12. A device that projects photographs or footage onto glass so that images can be traced by hand to create animated images






13. A cinematography technique that produces an image with many planes of depth in focus. It can be accomplished by using a small aperture - a large distance between camera and subject - and/or a lens of short focal length






14. 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






15. 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






16. The written blueprint for a film - composed of three elements: dialogue - sluglines (setting the place and time of each scene) - and description. Feature-length screenplays typically run 90-130 pages






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






18. The rules of character - setting - and narrative that films that belong to a genre - such as Westerns - horror films - and screwball comedies - generally obey.






19. 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






20. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






21. 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






22. A device used to manipulate the amount and/or color of light entering the lens






23. Thin - flexible material comprised of base and emulsion layers - onto which light rays are focused and which is processed in chemicals to produce film images






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






25. A filter that simply reduces the amount of light entering the lens - without affecting the color characteristics






26. A cinematography technique that produces an image with many planes of depth in focus. It can be accomplished by using a small aperture - a large distance between camera and subject - and/or a lens of short focal length






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






28. An early color process - involving bathing lengths of processed film in dye one scene at a time






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






30. The average length in seconds of a series of shots - covering a portion of a film or an entire film; a measure of pace within a scene or in the film as a whole.






31. A marketing strategy of screening a blockbuster prior to general release only in premier theaters






32. A chemical embedded in the emulsion layer of film stock that - when developed after exposure - releases a particular color dye (red - green - or blue)






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






34. 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






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






36. 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






37. A technique of cutting back and forth between action occurring in two different locations - which often creates the illusion that they are happening simultaneously. Also called 'cross cutting.'






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






39. Film productions shot outside the U.S. for economic reasons






40. A single take that contains an entire scene






41. Filters that increase color saturation and contrast in outdoor shots






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






43. 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






44. 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






45. A model of industrial organization in the film industry from about 1915 to 1946 - characterized by the development of major and minor studios that produced - distributed - and exhibited films - and held film actors - directors - art directors - and o






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






47. 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






48. A shot filmed from an airplane or helicopter






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






50. 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