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 device attached to the film camera that records videotape of what has been filmed - allowing the director immediate access to video footage






2. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






3. A form of shot transition - generally concluding a scene - where a circular mask constricts around the image until the entire frame is black






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






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






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






7. A technician responsible for splicing and assembling the film negative to the editor's specifications






8. 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






9. A person responsible for putting a film together from a mass of developed footage - making decisions regarding pace - shot transitions - and which scenes and shots will be used






10. The conclusion of the film wraps up - all loose ends in a form of resolution - though not necessarily with a happy ending.






11. A technique of overdeveloping exposed film stock (leaving it in the chemical bath longer than indicated) in order to increase density and contrast in the image






12. 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






13. A technique of running the motion picture camera at a speed slower than projection speed (24 frames per second) - in order to produce at a fast motion sequence when projected at normal speed. The term derives from early film cameras - which were cran






14. A technique of leaving empty space around the subject in the frame - in order to covey openness and continuity of visible space and to imply offscreen space






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






16. A technique of 'pushing' the film (overdeveloping it) to correct problems of underexposure (resulting from insufficient light during shooting) by increasing image contrast






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






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






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






20. An actor whose career rests on playing minor or secondary quirky characters rather than leading roles






21. Dutch angle; a shot resulting from a static camera that is tilted to the right or left - so that the subject in the frame appears at a diagonal






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






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






24. A technique of overdeveloping exposed film stock (leaving it in the chemical bath longer than indicated) in order to increase density and contrast in the image






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






26. Any lens with a focal length approximately equal to the diagonal of the frame. For 35mm filmmaking - a 35-50 mm lens does not distort the angle of vision or depth






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






28. A non-standard narrative organization that assumes 'day in the life' quality rather than the highly structured three-act or four part narrative - and that features loose or indirect cause-effect relationships






29. A film style that emerged in the 1910s in Germany. It was heavily indebted to the Expressionist art movement of the time and influenced subsequent horror films and film noir






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






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






32. 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






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






34. A statement that asserts a judgment that a given film or group of films is good or bad - based on specific criteria - Which may or may not be stated






35. 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






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






37. The non-chronological insertion of scenes of events yet to happen into the present day of the story world






38. 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






39. A screenplay written and submitted to a studio or production company without a prior contract or agreement






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






41. 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.'






42. 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






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






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






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






46. 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






47. Squeezes the image at a ratio of 2:1 horizontally onto a standard film frame. On the projector - it unsqueezes the image - creating a widescreen aspect ratio during presentation






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






49. A term that refers to the organization of an industry wherein one type of corporation also owns corporations in allied industries - for example - film production and video games






50. A scene filmed and processed but not selected to appear in the final version of the film