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






2. 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






3. The classical model of narrative form. The first act introduces characters and conflicts; the second act offers complication leading to a climax; the third act contains the danouement and resolution






4. Literary narration from a viewpoint beyond that of any one individual character






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






6. 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






7. 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






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






9. 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






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






11. A camera shot taken at a large distance from the subject. Using the human body as the subject - a long shot captures the entire human form






12. 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






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






14. A shot depicting the human body from the waist up






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






16. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






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






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. A shot combining two kinds of movement: the camera tracks in toward the subject wile the lens zooms out






20. Assists the gaffer in managing lighting crews






21. 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






22. A technique of running the motion picture camera at a speed slower than projection speed (24 frames per second) - in order to produce at a fast motion sequence when projected at normal speed. The term derives from early film cameras - which were cran






23. A visual effect created when the subject in the frame is restricted by the objects or the physical properties of the set






24. A lens with a variable focal length that allows changes of focal length while keeping the subject in focus






25. The measure of intensity or purity of a color. Saturated color is purer than desaturated color - which has more white in it and thus offers a washed-out - less intense version of a color






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






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






28. Assists the editor with various tasks - including taking footage to the lab - checking the condition of the negative - cataloguing footage - and supervising optical effects - often produced by an outside company






29. 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






30. The first print made from a film negative






31. An abrupt - inexplicable shift in time and place of an action not signaled by an appropriate shot transition






32. A property of older television monitors - where each frame was scanned as two fields: One consisting of all the odd numbered lines - the other all the even lines. If slowed down - the television image would appear to sweep down the screen one line at






33. Assists the editor with various tasks - including taking footage to the lab - checking the condition of the negative - cataloguing footage - and supervising optical effects - often produced by an outside company






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






35. A shot transition where shot A slowly disappears as the screen becomes black before shot B appears. A fade-in is the reverse of this process






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






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






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






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






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






41. Glass filters whose surface is etched with spots that refract light - so they create the appearance of water droplets in the air






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






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 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






45. The length in minutes for a film to play in its entirety (for example - 120 minutes). Also referred to as 'screen time.'






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






47. The building block of a scene; an uninterrupted sequence of frames that viewers experience as they watch a film - ending with a cut - fade - dissolve - etc. See also Take






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






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






50. 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