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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. 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






2. Smaller corporations that did not own distribution and/or exhibition companies in the studio era - including Universal - Columbia - and United Artists






3. An animation technique that uses a computer program to interpolate frames to produce the effect of an object or creature changing gradually into something different. The program calculates the way the image must change in order for the first image to






4. 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






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






6. A mental phenomenon by which viewers derive more meaning from the interaction of two sequential shots than from a single shot in isolation






7. A videotape system that records images onto magnetic tape - using electronic signals






8. A shot combining two kinds of movement: the camera tracks in toward the subject wile the lens zooms out






9. 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






10. 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






11. 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






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






13. A shot transition that involves the gradual disappearance of the image at the same time that a new image gradually comes into view






14. 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






15. The imagined world of the story






16. 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






17. A single take that contains an entire scene






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






19. A short segment of film used to promote an upcoming release






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






21. A description of film stock that is highly sensitive to light






22. (Automatic dialogue replacement) recording synchronized dialogue in post-production - cutting several identical lengths of developed film and having actors record the dialogue repeatedly






23. A musical film in which each song and dance number is narratively motivated by a plot that situates characters in performance contexts






24. The period after principal photography during which editing and looping take place - and special visual effects are added to the film






25. The central cause(s) behind a character's actions






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






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






28. 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






29. The visual arrangement of objects - actors - and space within the frame






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






31. 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






32. A shot taken by a camera that is held manually rather than supported by a tripod - crane or Steadicam. Generally - such shots are shaky - owing to the motion of the camera operator






33. 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






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






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






36. The reverse of Iris in: an iris expands outward until the next shot takes up the entire screen






37. 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)






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






39. 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






40. An action film cycle of the late 1960s and early 1970s that featured bold - rebellious African American characters






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






42. 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






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






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






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






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






47. The width of the film stock - measured across the frame. Typical sizes are 8mm - 16mm - 35mm - and 70mm






48. A computer-generated actor that some speculate will replace flesh and blood actors in the not so distant future






49. 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






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