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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. The visual arrangement of objects - actors - and space within the frame






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. Cinema verite; a documentary style in which the filmmaker attempts to remain as unobtrusive as possible - recording without obvious editorial comment






5. 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






6. A measure of a film stock's sensitivity to light. 'Fast' refers to sensitive film stock - while slow film is relatively insensitive






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






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






9. A statement that presents an argument about a film's meaning and significance






10. Cinema verite; a documentary style in which the filmmaker attempts to remain as unobtrusive as possible - recording without obvious editorial comment






11. A type of film stock that is sensitive to (in other words - registers) all tones in the color spectrum






12. A technique of filming at a speed faster than projection - the projecting the footage at normal speed of 24 frames per second. Because fewer frames were recorded per second - the action appears to be speeded up






13. A description of film stock that is highly sensitive to light






14. An alternative to continuity editing - this style of editing was developed in silent Soviet cinema - based on the theory that editing should exploit the difference between shots to generate intellectual and emotional responses in the audience






15. 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






16. Any lens with a focal length approximately equal to the diagonal of the frame. For 35mm filmmaking - a 35-50 mm lens does not distort the angle of vision or depth






17. A shot taken fro a position directly above the action - also called a 'birds' eye shot'






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






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






20. A system for combining two separately filmed images in the same frame that involves create a matte (a black mask that covers a portion of the image) for a live action sequence and using it to block out a portion of the frame when filming the backgrou






21. A technique of running the motion picture camera at a speed slower than projection speed (24 frames per second) - in order to produce at a fast motion sequence when projected at normal speed. The term derives from early film cameras - which were cran






22. The rules of character - setting - and narrative that films that belong to a genre - such as Westerns - horror films - and screwball comedies - generally obey.






23. Exposed and developed film stock from which the master positive is struck. If projected - the negative would produce a reverse of the image - with dark areas appearing white and vice versa or - if color film - areas of color appearing as their comple






24. An efficient system developed for film lighting. In a standard lighting set-up - the key light illuminates the subject - the fill light eliminates shadows cast by the key light - and the back light separates the subject from the background






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






26. 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






27. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






28. A shot combining two kinds of movement: the camera tracks in toward the subject wile the lens zooms out






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






30. 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






31. A crew member whose job is to maintain consistency in visual details from one shot to the next






32. 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






33. A term for film stock used in early cinema that was insensitive to red hues






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






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






36. 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






37. A type of filter that absorbs certain wavelength but leave others unaffected. On black and white film - color filters lighten or darken tones. On color film - they can produce a range of effects






38. 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






39. Lighting design where the key light is somewhat more intense than the fill light - so the fill does not eliminate every shadow. The effect is generally less cheerful than high-key lighting - but not as gloomy as low-key lighting






40. A process of blending the three elements of the sound track (dialogue - music - and effects) in post-production






41. Assists the gaffer in managing lighting crews






42. 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






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






44. 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






45. 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






46. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






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






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






49. A lens with a variable focal length that allows changes of focal length while keeping the subject in focus






50. 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