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






2. 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)






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






4. A crew member whose job is to measure the distance between the subject and the camera lens - marking the ring on the camera lens - and ensuring the ring is turned precisely so that the image is in focus






5. A statement that presents an argument about a film's meaning and significance






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






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






8. Invisible editing; a system devised to minimize the audience's awareness of shot transitions - especially cuts - in order to improve the flow of the story and avoid interrupting the viewer's immersion it in






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






10. A shot depicting the human body from the waist up






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






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






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






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






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






16. The plotline that surrounds an embedded tale. The frame narration may or may not be as fully developed as the embedded tale






17. A shot taken fro a position directly above the action - also called a 'birds' eye shot'






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






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






20. 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






21. Standard shot pattern: A sequence of shots designed to maintain spatial continuity. Scene begin with an establishing shot - then move to a series of individual shots depicting characters and action - before reestablishing shots re-orient viewers to t






22. A platform on wheels - used for mobile camera shots






23. A glass element on a camera that focuses light rays so that the image of the object appears on the surface of the film






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






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






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






27. A property of older television monitors - where each frame was scanned as two fields: One consisting of all the odd numbered lines - the other all the even lines. If slowed down - the television image would appear to sweep down the screen one line at






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






29. 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






30. A narrative approach that limits the audience's view of events to that of the main character(s) in the film. Occasional moments of omniscient narration may give viewers more information than the character shave at specific points in the narrative






31. The individual arrangement of lighting and camera placement used for each shot






32. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






33. 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






34. The artful use of light and dark areas in the composition in black and white filmmaking






35. 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






36. A digital technique developed by Industrial Light and Magic - which builds movement sequences from single frames of film






37. The term for a film's spoken dialogue - as opposed to the underlying meaning contained in the subtext






38. A brief chronological description of the basic events and characters in a film. It does not include interpretive or evaluative claims






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






40. Optical illusions created during post-production






41. A scene transition wherein sound from one scene bleeds over into the ext scene - often resulting in a contrast between sound image






42. 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






43. A method for producing a widescreen image without special lenses or equipment - using standard film stock and blocking out the top and bottom of the frame to achieve an aspect ration of 1.85:1






44. A production crew responsible not for shooting the primary footage but - instead - for remote location shooting and B-roll. See also B-roll






45. A type of matte shot - created by positioning a pane of optically flawless glass with a painting on it between the camera and the scene to be photographed. This combines the painting on the glass with the set or location - seen through the glass - be






46. A technique of underdeveloping exposed film stock (leaving it in a chemical batch a shorter amount of time than usual) in order to achieve the visual effect of reducing contrast






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






48. A glass element on a camera that focuses light rays so that the image of the object appears on the surface of the film






49. 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






50. The annotated script - containing information about set-ups used during shooting