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






2. A process of blending the three elements of the sound track (dialogue - music - and effects) in post-production






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






4. The chip in a video camera that converts the incoming light to an electronic signal






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






6. The individual arrangement of lighting and camera placement used for each shot






7. 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






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






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






10. An uncredited actor - usually hired for crowd scenes






11. A shot that appears during or near the end of a scene and reorients viewers to the setting






12. 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






13. A shot that includes a human figure from the shoulders up






14. 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






15. 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






16. 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






17. A term for film stock used in early cinema that was insensitive to red hues






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. Prefogging; a cinematographic technique that exposes raw film stock to light before - during - or after shooting - resulting in an image with reduced contrast. This effect can also be created using digital post-production techniques






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






21. A type of filter that absorbs certain wavelength but leave others unaffected. On black and white film - color filters lighten or darken tones. On color film - they can produce a range of effects






22. A single take that contains an entire scene






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






24. A device worn by a camera operator that holds the motion picture camera - allowing it glide smoothly through spaces unreachable by camera mounted on a crane or other apparatus






25. Devices that attach to actors' faces and/or bodies to change their appearance






26. (Automatic dialogue replacement) recording synchronized dialogue in post-production - cutting several identical lengths of developed film and having actors record the dialogue repeatedly






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






28. 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






29. Louis Althusser's term for the way in which a society creates its subjects/citizens through ideological (as opposed to repressive) state apparatuses - which include education - media - religion - and the family






30. A change of focus from one plane of depth to another. As the in-focus subject goes out of focus - another object - which has been blurry - comes into focus in either the background or the foreground






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






32. A narrative approach that limits the audience's view of events to that of the main character(s) in the film. Occasional moments of omniscient narration may give viewers more information than the character shave at specific points in the narrative






33. 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






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






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






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






37. 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.






38. 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






39. Light emitted from a larger source that is scattered over a bigger area or reflected off a surface before it strikes the subject. Soft light minimizes facial details - including wrinkles






40. A post-studio era Hollywood film designed to appeal to the broadest possible audience by fusing a simple story line with major movie stars and mounting a lavish marketing campaign






41. Also called 'd-cinema.' Not to be confused with digital cinematography (shooting movies on digital video) - this term refers to using digital technologies for exhibition






42. A shot in a sequence that is taken from the reverse angle of the shot previous to it






43. A technique of moving a zoom lens from a wide-angle position to a telephoto position - which results in a magnification of the subject within the frame - and keeps the subject in focus






44. A production term referring to coordinating actors' movements with lines of dialogue






45. 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






46. 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






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






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






49. A documentary or occasionally - a narrative film that presents only one side of an argument or one approach to a subject






50. The selection and ordering of narrative events presented in a film