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






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






3. A story narrated by one of the characters within the story - using the 'I' voice






4. A system of constructing and arranging buildings and objects on the set so that they diminish in size dramatically from foreground to background - which creates the illusion of depth






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






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






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






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






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






10. Optical illusions created during post-production






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






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






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






14. An efficient system developed for film lighting. In a standard lighting set-up - the key light illuminates the subject - the fill light eliminates shadows cast by the key light - and the back light separates the subject from the background






15. 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






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






17. Early films that documented everyday events - such as workers leaving a factory






18. 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






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






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






21. An attribute of newer television monitors - where each frame is scanned by the electron beam as a single field. If slowed down - each frame would appear on the monitor in its entirety on the screen - rather than line by line - as is the case with int






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






23. An effect created when too little light strikes the film during shooting. As a result the image will contain dark areas that appear very dense and dark (including shadows) and the overall contrast will be less than with a properly exposed image






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






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






26. 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






27. 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






28. 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






29. A group of films within a given genre that share their own specific set of conventions that differentiate them from other films in the genre. For example - the slasher film is a subgenre of the horror genre






30. 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






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






32. A relatively long - uninterrupted sot - generally of a minute or more






33. A crew member responsible for logging the details of each take on the set so as to ensure continuity






34. A pan executed so quickly that it produces a blurred image - indicated rapid activity or - sometimes - the passage of time






35. 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






36. 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






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






38. A production crew responsible not for shooting the primary footage but - instead - for remote location shooting and B-roll. See also B-roll






39. A camera device that opens and closes to regulate the length of time the film is exposed to light






40. A computer-generated actor that some speculate will replace flesh and blood actors in the not so distant future






41. 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






42. The rules of character - setting - and narrative that films that belong to a genre - such as Westerns - horror films - and screwball comedies - generally obey.






43. A direct vocal address to the audience - Which may emanate from a character or from a narrative voice apparently unrelated to the diegesis






44. Exposed and developed film stock from which the master positive is struck. If projected - the negative would produce a reverse of the image - with dark areas appearing white and vice versa or - if color film - areas of color appearing as their comple






45. A pan executed so quickly that it produces a blurred image - indicated rapid activity or - sometimes - the passage of time






46. 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






47. 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






48. 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






49. 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






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