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






2. The artful use of light and dark areas in the composition in black and white filmmaking






3. A technique of 'pushing' the film (overdeveloping it) to correct problems of underexposure (resulting from insufficient light during shooting) by increasing image contrast






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






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






6. A system for recording images on magnetic tape using a digital signal - that is - an electronic signal comprised of 0s and 1s






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






8. 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






9. 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






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






11. 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






12. 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






13. Processes such as Cinemascope and Cinerama - developed during the 1950s to enhance film's size advantage over the smaller television image






14. The technique of telling the story from an all-knowing character. Films that use restricted narration limit the audience's perception to what one particular character knows - but may insert moments of omniscience






15. 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






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






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






18. A shot filmed from an airplane or helicopter






19. A crew member whose job is to measure the distance between the subject and the camera lens - marking the ring on the camera lens - and ensuring the ring is turned precisely so that the image is in focus






20. 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






21. 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






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






23. 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






24. 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






25. 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






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






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






28. 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






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






30. 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






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






32. Fish-eye lens; With a focal length of 15mm or less - this lens presents an extremely distorted image - where objects in the center of the frame appear to bulge toward the camera






33. Lighting design in which the greater intensity of the key light makes it impossible for the fill to eliminate shadows - producing a high-contrast image (with many grades of light and dark) - a number of shadows - and a somber mood






34. A shot taken from a level camera located approximately 5' to 6' from the ground - simulating the perspective of a person standing before the action presented






35. Standard shot pattern: A sequence of shots designed to maintain spatial continuity. Scene begin with an establishing shot - then move to a series of individual shots depicting characters and action - before reestablishing shots re-orient viewers to t






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






37. 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






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






39. Light striking the emulsion layer of the film - activating light-sensitive grains






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






41. A chemical coating on film stock containing light-sensitive grains






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






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






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






45. A neutral account of the basic plot and style of a film - a part of a film - or a group of films






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






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






48. Lighting design where the key light is somewhat more intense than the fill light - so the fill does not eliminate every shadow. The effect is generally less cheerful than high-key lighting - but not as gloomy as low-key lighting






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






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