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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 large-budget film whose strategy is to swamp the competition through market saturation






2. 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






3. A genre film that radically modifies accepted genre conventions for dramatic effect






4. 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






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






6. A machine used to create optical effects such as fades - dissolves - and superimpositions. Most are now created digitally






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






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






9. The central cause(s) behind a character's actions






10. 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






11. A chemical coating on film stock containing light-sensitive grains






12. A marketing strategy of screening a blockbuster prior to general release only in premier theaters






13. A technique of cutting back and forth between action occurring in two different locations - which often creates the illusion that they are happening simultaneously. Also called 'cross cutting.'






14. Using computer graphics to 'build' structures connected to the actual architecture on set or location






15. A visual effect achieved through the use of photography and digital techniques that appears to stop time and allow the viewer to travel around the subject and view it from a multitude of vantage points






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






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






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






19. A technique used to join live action with a pre-recorded background image. A projector is placed behind a screen and projects an image onto it. Actors stand in front of the screen and the camera records them in front of the projected background






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






21. A computer-generated actor that some speculate will replace flesh and blood actors in the not so distant future






22. 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






23. Also called 'full screen -' the technique of re-shooting a widescreen film in order to convert it to the original television aspect ration of 1.33 to 1. Rather than reproduce the original aspect ratio - as a letterboxed version does - a panned and sc






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






25. 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






26. Dialogue that restates What is already obvious from images or action






27. 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






28. Sound recorded on a set - on location - or - for documentary film - at an actual real-world event - as opposed to dubbed in post-production through ADR or looping






29. 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






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






31. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






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






33. The aspect ratio of 1.33:1 - standardized by the Academy of Motion Picture Art and Sciences until the development of widescreen formats in the 1950s






34. A film process that uses 35mm film stock but changes the orientation of the film so that the film moves through the camera horizontally instead of vertically. The larger image is of higher quality than standard 35mm processes






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






36. A device that projects photographs or footage onto glass so that images can be traced by hand to create animated images






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






38. Also called 'full screen -' the technique of re-shooting a widescreen film in order to convert it to the original television aspect ration of 1.33 to 1. Rather than reproduce the original aspect ratio - as a letterboxed version does - a panned and sc






39. Dense accumulation of detail conveyed in the opening moments of a film






40. A crew member who reports to the Director of Photography (DP) and is in charge of tasks involving lighting and electrical needs






41. The person in charge of planning the style and look of the film with the production designer and director of photography - working with actors during principal photography - and collaborating with the editor on the final version






42. A shot filmed from an airplane or helicopter






43. 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






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






45. A fiction film (often a comedy) that uses documentary conventions on fictional rather than real-world subject matter






46. A documentary or occasionally - a narrative film that presents only one side of an argument or one approach to a subject






47. An alternative to classical and realist styles - formalism is a self-consciously interventionist approach that explores ideas - abstraction - and aesthetics rather than focusing on storytelling (as in classical films) or everyday life (as in realist






48. The way an actor delivers a line of dialogue - including pauses - inflection - and emotion






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






50. An uncredited actor - usually hired for crowd scenes