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






2. 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






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






4. The period after principal photography during which editing and looping take place - and special visual effects are added to the film






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






6. A crew member who works in post-production in a specially equipped studio to create the sounds of the story world - such as the shuffling of shoes on various surfaces for footsteps






7. Reels of film that are shipped to movie theaters for exhibition. Digital cinema - which can be distributed via satellite - broadband - or on media such as DVDs - may soon replace film prints because the latter are expensive to create - copy - and dis






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






9. The first print made from a film negative






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






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






12. A non-standard narrative organization that assumes 'day in the life' quality rather than the highly structured three-act or four part narrative - and that features loose or indirect cause-effect relationships






13. 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






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






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






16. 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






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






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






19. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






20. Any lens with a focal length approximately equal to the diagonal of the frame. For 35mm filmmaking - a 35-50 mm lens does not distort the angle of vision or depth






21. The arrangement of actors on screen as a compositional element that suggests themes - character development - emotional content - and visual motifs






22. Reels of film that are shipped to movie theaters for exhibition. Digital cinema - which can be distributed via satellite - broadband - or on media such as DVDs - may soon replace film prints because the latter are expensive to create - copy - and dis






23. 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






24. 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






25. Also called 'd-cinema.' Not to be confused with digital cinematography (shooting movies on digital video) - this term refers to using digital technologies for exhibition






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






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






28. 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






29. 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






30. Creating the appearance of movement by drawing a series of frames that are projected sequentially - rather than photographing a series of still images






31. A measure of a film stock's sensitivity to light. 'Fast' refers to sensitive film stock - while slow film is relatively insensitive






32. 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






33. A shot filmed from an airplane or helicopter






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






35. A shot taken fro a position directly above the action - also called a 'birds' eye shot'






36. 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






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






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






39. A short documentary on current events - show in movie theaters along with cartoons and feature films beginning in the 1930s






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






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






42. 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






43. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






44. The first step in the process of creating CGI. The wireframe is a three-dimensional computer model of an object - which is then rendered (producing the finished image) and animated (using simulated camera movement frame by frame)






45. A technique of exposing film frames - then rewinding the film and exposing it again - which results in an image that combines two shots in a single frame






46. 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






47. A compositing method that allows cinematographers to combine live action and settings that are filmed or created separately. Actors are filmed against a green or blue background. During post-production - this background is filled in with an image thr






48. 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






49. 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.






50. A filter that creates points of light that streak outward from a light source