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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. Sound design that blends the speech of several characters talking simultaneously - used to create spontaneity - although it may also confuse the audience






2. A standard shot pattern that dictates that a shot of one character will be followed by a shot of another character - taken from the reverse angle of the first shot






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






4. A character who in some way opposes the protagonist - leading to protracted conflict






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






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






7. The details of a character's past that emerge as the film unfolds - and which often play a role in character motivation






8. 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






9. 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






10. A lens with a variable focal length that allows changes of focal length while keeping the subject in focus






11. A process of transferring film to video tapes or DVDs so that the original aspect ratio of the film is preserved






12. A film process that uses 35mm film stock but changes the orientation of the film so that the film moves through the camera horizontally instead of vertically. The larger image is of higher quality than standard 35mm processes






13. Exposed and developed film stock from which the master positive is struck. If projected - the negative would produce a reverse of the image - with dark areas appearing white and vice versa or - if color film - areas of color appearing as their comple






14. 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






15. 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






16. Cinema verite; a documentary style in which the filmmaker attempts to remain as unobtrusive as possible - recording without obvious editorial comment






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






18. A type of short film that blends elements of documentary and avant-garde film to document and often to celebrate the wonder of the modern city






19. 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






20. The use of editing techniques - such as a fade or dissolve - to indicate the end of one scene and the beginning of another






21. 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






22. 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






23. A machine used to create optical effects such as fades - dissolves - and superimpositions. Most are now created digitally






24. A scene transition in which the first frame of the incoming scene appears to push the last frame of the previous scene off the screen horizontally






25. A story narrated by one of the characters within the story - using the 'I' voice






26. A technique of moving the camera - on a specially built track. Such shots often trace character movement laterally across the frame or in and out of the depth of the frame






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






28. Assists the gaffer in managing lighting crews






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






30. Individuals who were prevented from working in the film industry because of their suspected involvement with Communist interests






31. The measure of intensity or purity of a color. Saturated color is purer than desaturated color - which has more white in it and thus offers a washed-out - less intense version of a color






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






33. A measure of the visual and sound quality of a film. Low-budget films tend to have lower production values because they lack the resources to devote to expensive pre- and post-production activities






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






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






36. 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






37. 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






38. A narrative - visual - or sound element that refers viewers to other films or works of art






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






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






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






42. 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






43. A system of constructing and arranging buildings and objects on the set so that they diminish in size dramatically from foreground to background - which creates the illusion of depth






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






45. 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






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






47. A lens with a variable focal length that allows changes of focal length while keeping the subject in focus






48. A musical in which some or all musical numbers are not motivated by the narrative; for example - characters sing and dance throughout the film but at least some performances are not staged for an onscreen audience. Examples include Oklahoma - The umb






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






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