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






2. A narrative moment that signals an important shift of some kind in character or situation






3. An uncredited actor - usually hired for crowd scenes






4. Images that originate from computer graphics technology - rather than photography






5. Author; A term popularized by French film critics and refers to film directors with their own distinctive style






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






7. A rule in continuity editing - which dictates that if a cut occurs while a character is in the midst of an action - the subsequent shot must begin so that audiences see the completion of that action






8. A shot that interrupts a scene's master shot and may include character reactions






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






10. A scene filmed and processed but not selected to appear in the final version of the film






11. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






12. A crew member whose job is to maintain consistency in visual details from one shot to the next






13. 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






14. A technique of exposing film frames - then rewinding the film and exposing it again - which results in an image that combines two shots in a single frame






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






16. 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






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






18. 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






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






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






21. An unstated meaning that underlies and is implied by spoken dialogue






22. Leaving the silver grains in the emulsion rather than bleaching them out - which produces desaturated color






23. 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






24. An actor whose career rests on playing minor or secondary quirky characters rather than leading roles






25. A technique of filming at a speed faster than projection - the projecting the footage at normal speed of 24 frames per second. Because fewer frames were recorded per second - the action appears to be speeded up






26. A crew member who reports to the Director of Photography (DP) and is in charge of tasks involving lighting and electrical needs






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






28. A system for combining two separately filmed images in the same frame that involves create a matte (a black mask that covers a portion of the image) for a live action sequence and using it to block out a portion of the frame when filming the backgrou






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






30. 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






31. Light emitted from a larger source that is scattered over a bigger area or reflected off a surface before it strikes the subject. Soft light minimizes facial details - including wrinkles






32. A rule in continuity editing - which dictates that if a cut occurs while a character is in the midst of an action - the subsequent shot must begin so that audiences see the completion of that action






33. A film that fuses the conventions of two or more genres






34. 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






35. An abrupt - inexplicable shift in time and place of an action not signaled by an appropriate shot transition






36. Everything audiences hear when they watch a sound film. The soundtrack is the composite of all three elements of film sound: dialogue - music - and sound effects






37. 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






38. A documentary or occasionally - a narrative film that presents only one side of an argument or one approach to a subject






39. A shot taken when the camera is so close to a subject that it fills the frame. It is most commonly used for a shot that isolates and encompasses a single actor's face - to emphasize the expression of emotion






40. A short screen appearance by a celebrity - playing himself or herself






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






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






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






44. The measurement of how forgiving a film stock is. It determines whether an acceptable image will be produced when the film stock is exposed to too little or too much light






45. An effect created when more light is required to produce an image strakes the film stock - so that the resulting image exhibits high contrast - glaring light - and washed out shadows. This effect ma or may not be intentional on the filmmaker's part






46. Experimental film; Underground cinema;






47. 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






48. The conclusion of the film wraps up - all loose ends in a form of resolution - though not necessarily with a happy ending.






49. A technique of moving a zoom lens from a wide-angle position to a telephoto position - which results in a magnification of the subject within the frame - and keeps the subject in focus






50. These filters bend the light coming into lens - softening and blurring the image






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