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






2. A picture element - a measure of image density. There are approximately 18 million pixels in a frame of 35mm film and 300000-400000 in a video image






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






4. A shot taken from a vantage point so close that only a part of the subject is visible. On an actor - it might show only an eye or a portion of the face






5. 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






6. Creating an image by combining several elements created separately using computer graphics rather than photographic means






7. A rule in continuity editing - which dictates that if a cut occurs while a character is in the midst of an action - the subsequent shot must begin so that audiences see the completion of that action






8. The imagined world of the story






9. Author; A term popularized by French film critics and refers to film directors with their own distinctive style






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






11. The first print made from a film negative






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






13. A film's main characters - one whose conflicts and motives drive the story forward






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






15. A term describing a conclusion that does not answer all the questions raised regarding characters or storylines - nor tie up all loose ends






16. 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






17. A story; a chain of events linked by cause-and-effect logic






18. 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






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






20. A term that refers to the organization of an industry wherein one type of corporation also owns corporations in allied industries - for example - film production and video games






21. 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






22. An early color process that replaced silver halide grains with colored salts






23. 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






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






25. The period of time before principal photography during which actors are signed - sets and costumes designed - and locations scouted






26. 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






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






28. A shot taken from a vantage point so close that only a part of the subject is visible. On an actor - it might show only an eye or a portion of the face






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






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






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






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






33. A system for recording images on magnetic tape using a digital signal - that is - an electronic signal comprised of 0s and 1s






34. A non-standard narrative organization that assumes 'day in the life' quality rather than the highly structured three-act or four part narrative - and that features loose or indirect cause-effect relationships






35. A type of matte shot - created by positioning a pane of optically flawless glass with a painting on it between the camera and the scene to be photographed. This combines the painting on the glass with the set or location - seen through the glass - be






36. A production crew responsible not for shooting the primary footage but - instead - for remote location shooting and B-roll. See also B-roll






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






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






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






40. 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






41. A technique of overdeveloping exposed film stock (leaving it in the chemical bath longer than indicated) in order to increase density and contrast in the image






42. A cinematography technique that produces an image with many planes of depth in focus. It can be accomplished by using a small aperture - a large distance between camera and subject - and/or a lens of short focal length






43. An abrupt - inexplicable shift in time and place of an action not signaled by an appropriate shot transition






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






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






46. The use of editing techniques - such as a fade or dissolve - to indicate the end of one scene and the beginning of another






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






48. 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






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






50. 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