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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. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






2. 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






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






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






5. A single take that contains an entire scene






6. A style of stage acting developed from the teachings of Constantin Stanislavsky - which trains actors to get into character through the use of emotional memory






7. An optical effect whereby the human eye fills in gaps between closely spaced objects - so that two light bulbs flashing on and off are understood as one light moving back and forth






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






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






10. 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






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






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






13. A shot that contains two characters within the frame






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






15. 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






16. The details of a character's past that emerge as the film unfolds - and which often play a role in character motivation






17. The period of time before principal photography during which actors are signed - sets and costumes designed - and locations scouted






18. A technique of leaving empty space around the subject in the frame - in order to covey openness and continuity of visible space and to imply offscreen space






19. A device attached to the film camera that records videotape of what has been filmed - allowing the director immediate access to video footage






20. The details of a character's past that emerge as the film unfolds - and which often play a role in character motivation






21. The practice of shooting during the day but using filters and underexposure to create the illusion of nighttime






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






29. An actor whose career rests on playing minor or secondary quirky characters rather than leading roles






30. 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






31. Reels of film that are shipped to movie theaters for exhibition. Digital cinema - which can be distributed via satellite - broadband - or on media such as DVDs - may soon replace film prints because the latter are expensive to create - copy - and dis






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






33. 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






34. Invisible editing; a system devised to minimize the audience's awareness of shot transitions - especially cuts - in order to improve the flow of the story and avoid interrupting the viewer's immersion it in






35. Using computer graphics to 'build' structures connected to the actual architecture on set or location






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. A technique of recording very few images over a long period of time - say - one frame per minute or per day






38. 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






39. A class or type of film - such as the Western or the horror movie. They share narrative - visual - and/or sound conventions






40. A shot that focuses audience attention on precise details that may or may not be the focus of characters






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






42. A shot depicting the human body from the waist up






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






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






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. 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






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






48. A musical in which some or all musical numbers are not motivated by the narrative; for example - characters sing and dance throughout the film but at least some performances are not staged for an onscreen audience. Examples include Oklahoma - The umb






49. 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






50. 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