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. 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






2. 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






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






4. A type of film stock that is sensitive to (in other words - registers) all tones in the color spectrum






5. A videotape system that records images onto magnetic tape - using electronic signals






6. The first shot in a standard shot sequence. Its purpose is to provide a clear representation of the location of the action






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






8. The measurement of how forgiving a film stock is. It determines whether an acceptable image will be produced when the film stock is exposed to too little or too much light






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






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






11. 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






12. 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






13. Experimental film; Underground cinema;






14. 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






15. A part of the story world implied by visual or sound techniques rather than being revealed by the camera






16. Smaller corporations that did not own distribution and/or exhibition companies in the studio era - including Universal - Columbia - and United Artists






17. A measure of the visual and sound quality of a film. Low-budget films tend to have lower production values because they lack the resources to devote to expensive pre- and post-production activities






18. 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






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






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






21. Also called 'rushes.' Footage exposed and developed quickly so that the director can assess the day's work






22. A technique of arranging the actors on the set to take advantage of deep focus cinematography - which allows for many planes of depth in the film frame to remain in focus






23. A shot taken from a camera mounted on a crane that moves three-dimensionally in a space






24. A shot filmed from an airplane or helicopter






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






26. 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






27. 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






28. Color. The strength of a hue is measured by its saturation or desaturation






29. A production term referring to coordinating actors' movements with lines of dialogue






30. A shot that includes a human figure from the shoulders up






31. The horizontal turning movement of an otherwise immobile camera across a scene from left to right or vice versa






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






33. A musical in which some or all musical numbers are not motivated by the narrative; for example - characters sing and dance throughout the film but at least some performances are not staged for an onscreen audience. Examples include Oklahoma - The umb






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






35. A shot that depicts a human body from the feet up






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






37. 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






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






39. The written blueprint for a film - composed of three elements: dialogue - sluglines (setting the place and time of each scene) - and description. Feature-length screenplays typically run 90-130 pages






40. An attribute of newer television monitors - where each frame is scanned by the electron beam as a single field. If slowed down - each frame would appear on the monitor in its entirety on the screen - rather than line by line - as is the case with int






41. An effect created when too little light strikes the film during shooting. As a result the image will contain dark areas that appear very dense and dark (including shadows) and the overall contrast will be less than with a properly exposed image






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






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






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






45. A production term referring to coordinating actors' movements with lines of dialogue






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






47. 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






48. 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






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






50. The plotline that surrounds an embedded tale. The frame narration may or may not be as fully developed as the embedded tale