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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 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






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






3. A shot that makes the human subject very small in relation to his or her environment. The entire figure from head to toe is onscreen and dwarfed by the surroundings






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






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 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






7. 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






8. A screenplay written and submitted to a studio or production company without a prior contract or agreement






9. 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.






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






11. The selection and ordering of narrative events presented in a film






12. A neutral account of the basic plot and style of a film - a part of a film - or a group of films






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






14. A series of individual drawings that provides a blueprint for the shooting of a scene






15. A technique of moving from the telephoto position to the wide-angle position of a zoom lens - which results in the subject appearing to become smaller within the frame - while remaining in focus






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






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






18. Assists the gaffer in managing lighting crews






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






20. A post-studio era Hollywood film designed to appeal to the broadest possible audience by fusing a simple story line with major movie stars and mounting a lavish marketing campaign






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






22. 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






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






24. 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






25. 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






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






27. The individual arrangement of lighting and camera placement used for each shot






28. Also called 'stop motion photography.' A technique of photographing a scene one frame at a time and moving the model between each shot






29. A shot taken when the camera is so close to a subject that it fills the frame. It is most commonly used for a shot that isolates and encompasses a single actor's face - to emphasize the expression of emotion






30. A shot depicting the human body from the waist up






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






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






33. Muted - washed out color that contains more white than a saturated color






34. 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






35. 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.






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






37. A crew member whose job is to measure the distance between the subject and the camera lens - marking the ring on the camera lens - and ensuring the ring is turned precisely so that the image is in focus






38. 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.'






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






40. A style of Japanese animation - distinguished primarily by the fact that it is not all geared for young audiences






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






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






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






44. 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






45. Film productions shot outside the U.S. for economic reasons






46. An abrupt shot transition that occurs when Shot A is instantaneously replaced by Shot B.






47. A shot taken from a camera position above the subject - looking down at it






48. A technique of intentionally adding scratches in a film's emulsion layer for aesthetic purposes - such as to simulate home movie footage






49. The distance that appears in focus in front of and behind the subject. It is determined by the aperture - distance and focal length of lens






50. 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