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






2. A scene transition in which the first frame of the incoming scene appears to push the last frame of the previous scene off the screen horizontally






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






4. A technique of shifting the camera angle - height - or distance to take into account the motion of actors or objects within the frame






5. Light emitted from a relatively small source positioned close to the subject. It tends to be unflattering because it creates deep shadows and emphasizes surface imperfections






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






7. A series of related scene joined through elliptical editing that indicates the passage of time






8. A device used to manipulate the amount and/or color of light entering the lens






9. Optical illusions created during post-production






10. 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






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






12. Standard shot pattern: A sequence of shots designed to maintain spatial continuity. Scene begin with an establishing shot - then move to a series of individual shots depicting characters and action - before reestablishing shots re-orient viewers to t






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






14. A shot that contains two characters within the frame






15. 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






16. A single take that contains an entire scene






17. The written blueprint for a film - composed of three elements: dialogue - sluglines (setting the place and time of each scene) - and description. Feature-length screenplays typically run 90-130 pages






18. Color. The strength of a hue is measured by its saturation or desaturation






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






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






21. Light emitted from a relatively small source positioned close to the subject. It tends to be unflattering because it creates deep shadows and emphasizes surface imperfections






22. A shot that interrupts a scene's master shot and may include character reactions






23. The plotline that surrounds an embedded tale. The frame narration may or may not be as fully developed as the embedded tale






24. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






25. 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






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






27. The reverse of Iris in: an iris expands outward until the next shot takes up the entire screen






28. A character who in some way opposes the protagonist - leading to protracted conflict






29. A measure of the visual and sound quality of a film. Low-budget films tend to have lower production values because they lack the resources to devote to expensive pre- and post-production activities






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






31. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






32. Glass filters whose surface is etched with spots that refract light - so they create the appearance of water droplets in the air






33. Filters that increase color saturation and contrast in outdoor shots






34. The conclusion of the film wraps up - all loose ends in a form of resolution - though not necessarily with a happy ending.






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






36. 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






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






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






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






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






41. Devices that attach to actors' faces and/or bodies to change their appearance






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






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






44. 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






45. Everything audiences hear when they watch a sound film. The soundtrack is the composite of all three elements of film sound: dialogue - music - and sound effects






46. 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






47. 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






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






49. 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






50. 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