Test your basic knowledge |

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 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






2. 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






3. A shot that appears during or near the end of a scene and reorients viewers to the setting






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






5. Recording images at a slower speed than the speed of projection (24 frames per second). Before cameras were motorized - this was called undercranking. Fewer frames are exposed in one minute - so - when projected at 24 f.p.s. - that action takes less






6. A technician responsible for splicing and assembling the film negative to the editor's specifications






7. The arrangement of images to depict a unified storyline






8. Devices that attach to actors' faces and/or bodies to change their appearance






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






10. 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






11. An optical effect whereby the eye continues to register a visual stimulus in the brain for a brief period after that stimulus has been removed






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






13. Creating images during post-production by joining together photographic or CGI material shot or created at different times and places






14. 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






15. 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






16. The width of the film stock - measured across the frame. Typical sizes are 8mm - 16mm - 35mm - and 70mm






17. A format that uses a larger film stock than standard 35mm. IMAX - Omnimax - and Showscan are shot on 70mm film






18. 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






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






20. 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






21. 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






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






23. 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






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






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






26. 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






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






28. A form of shot transition - generally concluding a scene - where a circular mask constricts around the image until the entire frame is black






29. A technique in which the audience temporarily shares the visual perspective of a character or a group of characters. The camera points in the directions the character looks - simulating the character's field of vision






30. A shot that focuses audience attention on precise details that may or may not be the focus of characters






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






32. The non-chronological insertion of events from the past into the present day of the story world






33. Leaving the silver grains in the emulsion rather than bleaching them out - which produces desaturated color






34. 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






35. A shot that contains two characters within the frame






36. An outlawed studio era practice - where studios forced exhibitors to book groups of films at once - thus ensuring a market for their failures along with their successes






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






38. A brief chronological description of the basic events and characters in a film. It does not include interpretive or evaluative claims






39. Prefogging; a cinematographic technique that exposes raw film stock to light before - during - or after shooting - resulting in an image with reduced contrast. This effect can also be created using digital post-production techniques






40. A chemical embedded in the emulsion layer of film stock that - when developed after exposure - releases a particular color dye (red - green - or blue)






41. A change of focus from one plane of depth to another. As the in-focus subject goes out of focus - another object - which has been blurry - comes into focus in either the background or the foreground






42. Filters that increase color saturation and contrast in outdoor shots






43. Wheeled platform with wheels that rotate - so the dolly can change direction






44. Optical illusions created during production - including the use of matte paintings - glass shots - models - and prosthesis






45. The non-chronological insertion of scenes of events yet to happen into the present day of the story world






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






47. Suspended particles of silver in the film's emulsion - Which may become visible in the final image as dots






48. The camera should move at least 30 degrees any time there is a cut within a scene






49. 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






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