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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. The building block of a scene; an uninterrupted sequence of frames that viewers experience as they watch a film - ending with a cut - fade - dissolve - etc. See also Take






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






3. An effect created when more light is required to produce an image strakes the film stock - so that the resulting image exhibits high contrast - glaring light - and washed out shadows. This effect ma or may not be intentional on the filmmaker's part






4. 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






5. Squeezes the image at a ratio of 2:1 horizontally onto a standard film frame. On the projector - it unsqueezes the image - creating a widescreen aspect ratio during presentation






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






7. The technique of telling the story from an all-knowing character. Films that use restricted narration limit the audience's perception to what one particular character knows - but may insert moments of omniscience






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






9. A visual effect created when the subject in the frame is restricted by the objects or the physical properties of the set






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






11. The artful use of light and dark areas in the composition in black and white filmmaking






12. A shot taken from a level camera located approximately 5' to 6' from the ground - simulating the perspective of a person standing before the action presented






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






14. 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






15. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






16. A camera device that opens and closes to regulate the length of time the film is exposed to light






17. A production term denoting a single uninterrupted series of frames exposed by a motion picture or video camera between the time it is turned on and the time it is turned off. Filmmakers shoot several takes of any scene and the film editor selects the






18. A technique of exposing film frames - then rewinding the film and exposing it again - which results in an image that combines two shots in a single frame






19. A crew member responsible for logging the details of each take on the set so as to ensure continuity






20. A style associated with Hollywood filmmaking of the studio and post-studio era - in which efficient storytelling - rather than gritty realism or aesthetic innovation - is of paramount importance






21. An effect created when too little light strikes the film during shooting. As a result the image will contain dark areas that appear very dense and dark (including shadows) and the overall contrast will be less than with a properly exposed image






22. A shot taken from a camera mounted on a crane that moves three-dimensionally in a space






23. An early color process - involving bathing lengths of processed film in dye one scene at a time






24. An effect created when more light is required to produce an image strakes the film stock - so that the resulting image exhibits high contrast - glaring light - and washed out shadows. This effect ma or may not be intentional on the filmmaker's part






25. 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






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






27. A machine used to create optical effects such as fades - dissolves - and superimpositions. Most are now created digitally






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






29. A brief chronological description of the basic events and characters in a film. It does not include interpretive or evaluative claims






30. 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






31. Experimental film; Underground cinema;






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






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






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






35. 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






36. The imagined world of the story






37. 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






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






39. 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






40. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






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






42. A single take that contains an entire scene






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






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






45. 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






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






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






48. A technique of depicting two layered images simultaneously. Images from one frame or several frames of film are added to pre-existing images - using an optical printer - to produce the same effect as a double exposure






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






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







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