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 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






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






3. Any narrative - visual - or sound element that is repeated and thereby acquires and reflects its significance to the story - characters - or themes of the film.






4. 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)






5. Sound design that blends the speech of several characters talking simultaneously - used to create spontaneity - although it may also confuse the audience






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






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






8. The measure of intensity or purity of a color. Saturated color is purer than desaturated color - which has more white in it and thus offers a washed-out - less intense version of a color






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






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






11. 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






12. Literary narration from a viewpoint beyond that of any one individual character






13. Because film stock is sensitive to the color of light - directors work with film labs in post-production to monitor the color scheme of each scene in a film - making adjustments for consistency and aesthetic effect






14. A short screen appearance by a celebrity - playing himself or herself






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






16. 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






17. A similarity established between two characters or situations that invites the audience to compare the two. It may involve visual - narrative - and/or sound elements






18. Projecting a series of frames of film with the same image - which appears to stop the action






19. A term applied to film stock that is relatively insensitive to light. This stock will not yield acceptable images unless the amount of light can be carefully controlled






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






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






22. An effect created when more light is required to produce an image strakes the film stock - so that the resulting image exhibits high contrast - glaring light - and washed out shadows. This effect ma or may not be intentional on the filmmaker's part






23. 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






24. A shot transition where shot A slowly disappears as the screen becomes black before shot B appears. A fade-in is the reverse of this process






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






26. Dutch angle; a shot resulting from a static camera that is tilted to the right or left - so that the subject in the frame appears at a diagonal






27. 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






28. Live action is filmed in front of a blue screen and a matte. It's then joined with the background footage






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






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






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






32. 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






33. A type of short film that blends elements of documentary and avant-garde film to document and often to celebrate the wonder of the modern city






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






35. 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






36. A mental phenomenon by which viewers derive more meaning from the interaction of two sequential shots than from a single shot in isolation






37. 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






38. A film style that - in contrast to the classical and formalist styles - focuses characters - place - and the spontaneity and digressiveness of life - rather than on highly structured stories or aesthetic abstraction






39. The narrative path of the main or supporting characters - also called a plotline. Complex films may have several lines of action






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






41. An early color process - involving bathing lengths of processed film in dye one scene at a time






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






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






44. A system of constructing and arranging buildings and objects on the set so that they diminish in size dramatically from foreground to background - which creates the illusion of depth






45. A film style that - in contrast to the classical and formalist styles - focuses characters - place - and the spontaneity and digressiveness of life - rather than on highly structured stories or aesthetic abstraction






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






47. A transparent sheet on which animation artists draw images.






48. A black masking device used to black out a portion of the frame - usually for the insertion of other images






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






50. A device attached to the film camera that records videotape of what has been filmed - allowing the director immediate access to video footage