Test your basic knowledge |

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 flexible celluloid strip that - along with the emulsion layer - comprises 35mm film stock






2. The shape of the image onscreen as determined by the width of the frame relative to its height






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






4. The person in charge of planning the style and look of the film with the production designer and director of photography - working with actors during principal photography - and collaborating with the editor on the final version






5. A shot filmed from an airplane or helicopter






6. 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






7. Sound recorded on a set - on location - or - for documentary film - at an actual real-world event - as opposed to dubbed in post-production through ADR or looping






8. Public identity created by marketing a film actor's performances - press coverage - and 'personal' information to fans as the star's personality






9. A chemical embedded in the emulsion layer of film stock that - when developed after exposure - releases a particular color dye (red - green - or blue)






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






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






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






13. A technique of depicting two layered images simultaneously. Images from one frame or several frames of film are added to pre-existing images - using an optical printer - to produce the same effect as a double exposure






14. 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






15. Film productions shot outside the U.S. for economic reasons






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






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






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. 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






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






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






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






23. A format that uses a larger film stock than standard 35mm. IMAX - Omnimax - and Showscan are shot on 70mm film






24. An uncredited actor - usually hired for crowd scenes






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






26. 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.






27. A widescreen process that uses three cameras - three projectors - and a wide - curved screen






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






29. Light striking the emulsion layer of the film - activating light-sensitive grains






30. 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






31. 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






32. Using computer graphics to 'build' structures connected to the actual architecture on set or location






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






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






35. A film's main characters - one whose conflicts and motives drive the story forward






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






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






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






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






40. A consistent style - theme - and subject matter developed over the course of a director's body of work






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






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






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






44. A shot transition that emphasizes the visual similarities between two consecutive shots






45. A visual effect created when the subject in the frame is restricted by the objects or the physical properties of the set






46. A device that projects photographs or footage onto glass so that images can be traced by hand to create animated images






47. A system for recording images on magnetic tape using a digital signal - that is - an electronic signal comprised of 0s and 1s






48. Any narrative - visual - or sound element that is repeated and thereby acquires and reflects its significance to the story - characters - or themes of the film.






49. Color. The strength of a hue is measured by its saturation or desaturation






50. The imagined world of the story