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






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






3. A consistent style - theme - and subject matter developed over the course of a director's body of work






4. A lens with a focal length greater than 50 mm (usually between 80mm and 20mm) - which provides a larger image of the subject than a normal or wide-angle lens but which narrows the angle of vision and flattens the depth of the image relative to normal






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. The narrative path of the main or supporting characters - also called a plotline. Complex films may have several lines of action






7. A person responsible for putting a film together from a mass of developed footage - making decisions regarding pace - shot transitions - and which scenes and shots will be used






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






9. 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






10. Individuals who were prevented from working in the film industry because of their suspected involvement with Communist interests






11. A widescreen process that uses three cameras - three projectors - and a wide - curved screen






12. 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






13. 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






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






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






16. An attribute of newer television monitors - where each frame is scanned by the electron beam as a single field. If slowed down - each frame would appear on the monitor in its entirety on the screen - rather than line by line - as is the case with int






17. A black masking device used to black out a portion of the frame - usually for the insertion of other images






18. A mental phenomenon by which viewers derive more meaning from the interaction of two sequential shots than from a single shot in isolation






19. An optical effect whereby the eye continues to register a visual stimulus in the brain for a brief period after that stimulus has been removed






20. A shot taken by a camera that is held manually rather than supported by a tripod - crane or Steadicam. Generally - such shots are shaky - owing to the motion of the camera operator






21. A shot in a sequence that is taken from the reverse angle of the shot previous to it






22. A transparent sheet on which animation artists draw images.






23. A relatively long - uninterrupted sot - generally of a minute or more






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






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






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






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






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






29. A technique of arranging the actors on the set to take advantage of deep focus cinematography - which allows for many planes of depth in the film frame to remain in focus






30. The period after principal photography during which editing and looping take place - and special visual effects are added to the film






31. A device that projects photographs or footage onto glass so that images can be traced by hand to create animated images






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






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






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






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






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






37. Natural light; The process of suing sunlight rather than artificial studio lights when filming






38. A chemical coating on film stock containing light-sensitive grains






39. A crew member who works in post-production in a specially equipped studio to create the sounds of the story world - such as the shuffling of shoes on various surfaces for footsteps






40. 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






41. Materials intentionally released by studios to attract public attention to films and their stars. Promotion differs from publicity - which is information that is not (or does not appear to be) intentionally disseminated by studios






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






43. Public identity created by marketing a film actor's performances - press coverage - and 'personal' information to fans as the star's personality






44. A shot taken by a camera that is held manually rather than supported by a tripod - crane or Steadicam. Generally - such shots are shaky - owing to the motion of the camera operator






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






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






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






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






49. The period after principal photography during which editing and looping take place - and special visual effects are added to the film






50. 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