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 complete narrative unit within a film - with its own beginning - middle - and end. Often scenes are unified - and distinguished from one another - by time and setting






2. 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






3. 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






4. A technique used to join live action with a pre-recorded background image. A projector is placed behind a screen and projects an image onto it. Actors stand in front of the screen and the camera records them in front of the projected background






5. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






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






7. Lighting design where the key light is somewhat more intense than the fill light - so the fill does not eliminate every shadow. The effect is generally less cheerful than high-key lighting - but not as gloomy as low-key lighting






8. A technique of intentionally adding scratches in a film's emulsion layer for aesthetic purposes - such as to simulate home movie footage






9. Any noticeable but unintended discrepancy from one shot to the next in costume - props - hairstyle - posture - etc.






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






11. An unstated meaning that underlies and is implied by spoken dialogue






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






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






14. A type of film stock that is sensitive to (in other words - registers) all tones in the color spectrum






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






16. A neutral account of the basic plot and style of a film - a part of a film - or a group of films






17. A lens with a shorter focal length than a normal or telephoto lens (usually between 15-35mm). The subject appears smaller as a result - but the angle of vision is wider and an illusion is created of greater depth in the frame






18. A shot transition that involves the gradual disappearance of the image at the same time that a new image gradually comes into view






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






20. 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)






21. 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






22. A crew member who works in post-production in a specially equipped studio to create the sounds of the story world - such as the shuffling of shoes on various surfaces for footsteps






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






24. A model of industrial organization in the film industry from about 1915 to 1946 - characterized by the development of major and minor studios that produced - distributed - and exhibited films - and held film actors - directors - art directors - and o






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






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






27. A single take that contains an entire scene






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






29. A filter that creates points of light that streak outward from a light source






30. 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






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






32. 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






33. A musical film in which each song and dance number is narratively motivated by a plot that situates characters in performance contexts






34. 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






35. The narrative path of the main or supporting characters - also called a plotline. Complex films may have several lines of action






36. A shot taken from a vantage point so close that only a part of the subject is visible. On an actor - it might show only an eye or a portion of the face






37. 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






38. Suspended particles of silver in the film's emulsion - Which may become visible in the final image as dots






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






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






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






42. Non-diegetic; any element in the film that is not part of the imagined story world






43. A type of documentary film whose purpose is to present the way of life of a culture or subculture






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






45. Processes such as Cinemascope and Cinerama - developed during the 1950s to enhance film's size advantage over the smaller television image






46. 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






47. A technique of shifting the camera angle - height - or distance to take into account the motion of actors or objects within the frame






48. A similarity established between two characters or situations that invites the audience to compare the two. It may involve visual - narrative - and/or sound elements






49. The arrangement of images to depict a unified storyline






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