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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. 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






2. An optical technique that divides the screen into two or more frames






3. 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






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






5. A musical film in which each song and dance number is narratively motivated by a plot that situates characters in performance contexts






6. Cinema verite; a documentary style in which the filmmaker attempts to remain as unobtrusive as possible - recording without obvious editorial comment






7. Drawing attention to the process of representation (including narrative and characterization) to break the theatrical illusion and elicit a distanced - intellectual response in the audience






8. 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






9. A contemporary modification of the standard three-act structure that identifies a critical turning point at the halfway mark of most narrative films






10. 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






11. A style associated with Hollywood filmmaking of the studio and post-studio era - in which efficient storytelling - rather than gritty realism or aesthetic innovation - is of paramount importance






12. A scene transition wherein sound from one scene bleeds over into the ext scene - often resulting in a contrast between sound image






13. 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






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






15. A device used to manipulate the amount and/or color of light entering the lens






16. A standard shot pattern that dictates that a shot of one character will be followed by a shot of another character - taken from the reverse angle of the first shot






17. 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






18. A lens with a focal length greater than 50 mm (usually between 80mm and 20mm) - which provides a larger image of the subject than a normal or wide-angle lens but which narrows the angle of vision and flattens the depth of the image relative to normal






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






20. A shot in a sequence that is taken from the reverse angle of the shot previous to it






21. The distance in millimeters from the optical center of a lens to the lane where the sharpest image is formed while focusing on a distant object






22. 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






23. 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






24. 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






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






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






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






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






29. A term used for any narrative sound - or visual element not contained in the story world. Also called 'extradiegetic'






30. A film style that emerged in the 1910s in Germany. It was heavily indebted to the Expressionist art movement of the time and influenced subsequent horror films and film noir






31. Secondary footage that is interspersed with master shots - sometimes in the form of footage shot for another production or archival footage






32. 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






33. A technique of shooting a scene at a very high speed (96 frames per second) - then adding and subtracting frames in post-production - 'fanning out' the action through the overlapping images






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






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






36. A narrative - visual - or sound element that refers viewers to other films or works of art






37. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






38. 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






39. An agreement made between filmmakers and those who license the use of commercial products to feature those products in films - generally as props used by characters






40. A small - variable opening on a camera lens that regulates the amount of light entering the camera and striking the surface of the film






41. Everything audiences hear when they watch a sound film. The soundtrack is the composite of all three elements of film sound: dialogue - music - and sound effects






42. A film composed entirely of footage from other films.






43. Muted - washed out color that contains more white than a saturated color






44. 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






45. A scene transition in which the first frame of the incoming scene appears to push the last frame of the previous scene off the screen horizontally






46. A sound editing technique that links several scenes through parallel and overlapping sounds. Each sound is associated with one scene - unlike a sound bridge - where a sound from one scene bleeds into that of another






47. 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






48. The camera does not move across an imagined line drawn between two characters






49. The film medium's technological apparatus is inherently ideological






50. The falling or unraveling action after the climax of a narrative that leads to resolution