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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 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






2. A technique of shooting a scene at a very high speed (96 frames per second) - then adding and subtracting frames in post-production - 'fanning out' the action through the overlapping images






3. Live action is filmed in front of a blue screen and a matte. It's then joined with the background footage






4. A technique in which the audience temporarily shares the visual perspective of a character or a group of characters. The camera points in the directions the character looks - simulating the character's field of vision






5. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






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






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






8. 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






9. 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






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






11. A direct vocal address to the audience - Which may emanate from a character or from a narrative voice apparently unrelated to the diegesis






12. 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






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






14. A scene transition wherein sound from one scene bleeds over into the ext scene - often resulting in a contrast between sound image






15. Lighting design that provides an even illumination of the subject - with many facial details washed out. High-key lighting tends to create a hopeful mood - in contrast to low-key lighting






16. 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






17. A property of older television monitors - where each frame was scanned as two fields: One consisting of all the odd numbered lines - the other all the even lines. If slowed down - the television image would appear to sweep down the screen one line at






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






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






20. 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






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






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






23. A narrative approach that limits the audience's view of events to that of the main character(s) in the film. Occasional moments of omniscient narration may give viewers more information than the character shave at specific points in the narrative






24. A production crew responsible not for shooting the primary footage but - instead - for remote location shooting and B-roll. See also B-roll






25. Also called 'd-cinema.' Not to be confused with digital cinematography (shooting movies on digital video) - this term refers to using digital technologies for exhibition






26. A documentary or occasionally - a narrative film that presents only one side of an argument or one approach to a subject






27. A system initially developed for marketing films by creating and promoting stars as objects of admiration. The promotion of stars has now become an end in itself






28. 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






29. 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






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






31. 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






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






33. Drawing attention to the process of representation (including narrative and characterization) to break the theatrical illusion and elicit a distanced - intellectual response in the audience






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






35. The width of the film stock - measured across the frame. Typical sizes are 8mm - 16mm - 35mm - and 70mm






36. A visual effect achieved through the use of photography and digital techniques that appears to stop time and allow the viewer to travel around the subject and view it from a multitude of vantage points






37. Lighting design that provides an even illumination of the subject - with many facial details washed out. High-key lighting tends to create a hopeful mood - in contrast to low-key lighting






38. Creating images during post-production by joining together photographic or CGI material shot or created at different times and places






39. A technique of 'pushing' the film (overdeveloping it) to correct problems of underexposure (resulting from insufficient light during shooting) by increasing image contrast






40. 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






41. A shot filmed from an airplane or helicopter






42. A group of films within a given genre that share their own specific set of conventions that differentiate them from other films in the genre. For example - the slasher film is a subgenre of the horror genre






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






44. 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






45. 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






46. The width of the film stock - measured across the frame. Typical sizes are 8mm - 16mm - 35mm - and 70mm






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






48. A film process that uses 35mm film stock but changes the orientation of the film so that the film moves through the camera horizontally instead of vertically. The larger image is of higher quality than standard 35mm processes






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






50. A filter that creates points of light that streak outward from a light source