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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 practice of shooting during the day but using filters and underexposure to create the illusion of nighttime






2. Natural light; The process of suing sunlight rather than artificial studio lights when filming






3. A system for combining two separately filmed images in the same frame that involves create a matte (a black mask that covers a portion of the image) for a live action sequence and using it to block out a portion of the frame when filming the backgrou






4. The average length in seconds of a series of shots - covering a portion of a film or an entire film; a measure of pace within a scene or in the film as a whole.






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






6. 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






7. A shot taken from a camera position below the subject






8. A technique of depicting two layered images simultaneously. Images from one frame or several frames of film are added to pre-existing images - using an optical printer - to produce the same effect as a double exposure






9. Optical illusions created during post-production






10. A continuity editing technique that preserves spatial continuity by using a character's line of vision as motivation for a cut






11. Sound design that blends the speech of several characters talking simultaneously - used to create spontaneity - although it may also confuse the audience






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






13. 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






14. Lighting design that provides an even illumination of the subject - with many facial details washed out. High-key lighting tends to create a hopeful mood - in contrast to low-key lighting






15. A shot taken from a camera mounted on a crane that moves three-dimensionally in a space






16. A film process that uses 35mm film stock but changes the orientation of the film so that the film moves through the camera horizontally instead of vertically. The larger image is of higher quality than standard 35mm processes






17. 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






18. A technique used to join live action with pre-recorded background images. A projector is aimed at a half-silvered mirror that reflects the background - which the camera records as being located behind the actors






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






20. 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






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






22. 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.'






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






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






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






26. 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






27. 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






28. A mental phenomenon by which viewers derive more meaning from the interaction of two sequential shots than from a single shot in isolation






29. A platform on wheels - used for mobile camera shots






30. 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






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






32. Creating an image by combining several elements created separately using computer graphics rather than photographic means






33. A style of stage acting developed from the teachings of Constantin Stanislavsky - which trains actors to get into character through the use of emotional memory






34. A long shot in which the film frame resembles the proscenium arch of the stage - distancing the audience






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






36. A technique of underdeveloping exposed film stock (leaving it in a chemical batch a shorter amount of time than usual) in order to achieve the visual effect of reducing contrast






37. 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






38. 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






39. A widescreen process that uses three cameras - three projectors - and a wide - curved screen






40. 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






41. Thin - flexible material comprised of base and emulsion layers - onto which light rays are focused and which is processed in chemicals to produce film images






42. 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






43. A technique of recording very few images over a long period of time - say - one frame per minute or per day






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






45. 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






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






47. Also called 'full screen -' the technique of re-shooting a widescreen film in order to convert it to the original television aspect ration of 1.33 to 1. Rather than reproduce the original aspect ratio - as a letterboxed version does - a panned and sc






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






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






50. A technique of manipulating focus to direct the viewer's attention