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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. Optical illusions created during production - including the use of matte paintings - glass shots - models - and prosthesis






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






3. The film medium's technological apparatus is inherently ideological






4. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






5. A business model adopted by the major studios during the Hollywood studio era - in which studios controlled all aspects of the film business - from production to distribution and exhibition






6. Lighting design in which the greater intensity of the key light makes it impossible for the fill to eliminate shadows - producing a high-contrast image (with many grades of light and dark) - a number of shadows - and a somber mood






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






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






9. A chemical coating on film stock containing light-sensitive grains






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






11. 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.






12. 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






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






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






15. A production term denoting a single uninterrupted series of frames exposed by a motion picture or video camera between the time it is turned on and the time it is turned off. Filmmakers shoot several takes of any scene and the film editor selects the






16. A sound editing technique that links several scenes through parallel and overlapping sounds. Each sound is associated with one scene - unlike a sound bridge - where a sound from one scene bleeds into that of another






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






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






19. 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.'






20. A genre film that radically modifies accepted genre conventions for dramatic effect






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






22. Lighting design that provides an even illumination of the subject - with many facial details washed out. High-key lighting tends to create a hopeful mood - in contrast to low-key lighting






23. 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






24. The space between the camera and subject it is filming.






25. A crew member responsible for logging the details of each take on the set so as to ensure continuity






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






27. 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






28. Drawing attention to the process of representation (including narrative and characterization) to break the theatrical illusion and elicit a distanced - intellectual response in the audience






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






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






31. 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






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






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






34. 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






35. A system initially developed for marketing films by creating and promoting stars as objects of admiration. The promotion of stars has now become an end in itself






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






37. Literary narration from a viewpoint beyond that of any one individual character






38. The first shot in a standard shot sequence. Its purpose is to provide a clear representation of the location of the action






39. A specialist who monitors the processing of color on the se and in the film lab






40. 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






41. 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






42. A large-budget film whose strategy is to swamp the competition through market saturation






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






44. 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






45. The aspect ratio of 1.33:1 - standardized by the Academy of Motion Picture Art and Sciences until the development of widescreen formats in the 1950s






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






47. A shot filmed from an airplane or helicopter






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






49. Secondary footage that is interspersed with master shots - sometimes in the form of footage shot for another production or archival footage






50. The aspect ratio of 1.33:1 - standardized by the Academy of Motion Picture Art and Sciences until the development of widescreen formats in the 1950s