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






2. A change of focus from one plane of depth to another. As the in-focus subject goes out of focus - another object - which has been blurry - comes into focus in either the background or the foreground






3. Any noticeable but unintended discrepancy from one shot to the next in costume - props - hairstyle - posture - etc.






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






5. A film that fuses the conventions of two or more genres






6. An unstated meaning that underlies and is implied by spoken dialogue






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






8. 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






9. A form of shot transition - generally concluding a scene - where a circular mask constricts around the image until the entire frame is black






10. A technique of underdeveloping exposed film stock (leaving it in a chemical batch a shorter amount of time than usual) in order to achieve the visual effect of reducing contrast






11. A short segment of film used to promote an upcoming release






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






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






16. Invisible editing; a system devised to minimize the audience's awareness of shot transitions - especially cuts - in order to improve the flow of the story and avoid interrupting the viewer's immersion it in






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






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






19. A continuity editing technique that preserves spatial continuity by using a character's line of vision as motivation for a cut






20. 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






21. A narrative moment that signals an important shift of some kind in character or situation






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






23. A shot that contains two characters within the frame






24. Secondary footage that is interspersed with master shots - sometimes in the form of footage shot for another production or archival footage






25. Thin - flexible material comprised of base and emulsion layers - onto which light rays are focused and which is processed in chemicals to produce film images






26. 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






27. 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






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






29. A scene filmed and processed but not selected to appear in the final version of the film






30. 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






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






32. The arrangement of images to depict a unified storyline






33. Then Hollywood writers and directors cited for Contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with the House Committee on Un-American Activities' attempts to root out Communists in the film industry






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






35. Invisible editing; a system devised to minimize the audience's awareness of shot transitions - especially cuts - in order to improve the flow of the story and avoid interrupting the viewer's immersion it in






36. The arrangement of images to depict a unified storyline






37. 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






38. A scene filmed and processed but not selected to appear in the final version of the film






39. An agreement made between filmmakers and those who license the use of commercial products to feature those products in films - generally as props used by characters






40. The practice or repeatedly casting actors in similar roles across different films






41. A narrative moment that signals an important shift of some kind in character or situation






42. 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






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






44. 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






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






46. The shape of the image onscreen as determined by the width of the frame relative to its height






47. 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






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






49. 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.'






50. Early films that documented everyday events - such as workers leaving a factory







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