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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 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






2. Creating images during post-production by joining together photographic or CGI material shot or created at different times and places






3. 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






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






5. A filter that simply reduces the amount of light entering the lens - without affecting the color characteristics






6. The central cause(s) behind a character's actions






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






8. 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






9. The reverse of Iris in: an iris expands outward until the next shot takes up the entire screen






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






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






12. 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






13. A crew member who reports to the Director of Photography (DP) and is in charge of tasks involving lighting and electrical needs






14. 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






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






16. 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






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






18. Light emitted from a relatively small source positioned close to the subject. It tends to be unflattering because it creates deep shadows and emphasizes surface imperfections






19. Recording images at a slower speed than the speed of projection (24 frames per second). Before cameras were motorized - this was called undercranking. Fewer frames are exposed in one minute - so - when projected at 24 f.p.s. - that action takes less






20. An early color process - involving bathing lengths of processed film in dye one scene at a time






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






22. A film that fuses the conventions of two or more genres






23. A filter that simply reduces the amount of light entering the lens - without affecting the color characteristics






24. 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






25. 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






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






27. 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






28. A painting used on the set as a portion of the background






29. An optical effect whereby the human eye fills in gaps between closely spaced objects - so that two light bulbs flashing on and off are understood as one light moving back and forth






30. 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






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






32. Then Hollywood writers and directors cited for Contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with the House Committee on Un-American Activities' attempts to root out Communists in the film industry






33. 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






34. A technique of moving from the telephoto position to the wide-angle position of a zoom lens - which results in the subject appearing to become smaller within the frame - while remaining in focus






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






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






37. A specialist who monitors the processing of color on the se and in the film lab






38. A style associated with Hollywood filmmaking of the studio and post-studio era - in which efficient storytelling - rather than gritty realism or aesthetic innovation - is of paramount importance






39. 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






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






41. A single take that contains an entire scene






42. A cinematography technique that produces an image with many planes of depth in focus. It can be accomplished by using a small aperture - a large distance between camera and subject - and/or a lens of short focal length






43. A technique of filming at a speed faster than projection - the projecting the footage at normal speed of 24 frames per second. Because fewer frames were recorded per second - the action appears to be speeded up






44. A crew member whose job is to maintain consistency in visual details from one shot to the next






45. 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






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






47. 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






48. The camera should move at least 30 degrees any time there is a cut within a scene






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






50. A series of related scene joined through elliptical editing that indicates the passage of time