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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 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






2. A glass element on a camera that focuses light rays so that the image of the object appears on the surface of the film






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






4. 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






5. Any noticeable but unintended discrepancy from one shot to the next in costume - props - hairstyle - posture - etc.






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






7. 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






8. 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






9. 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






10. 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






11. A film that fuses the conventions of two or more genres






12. 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






13. 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






14. 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






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






16. 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






17. 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






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






19. The arrangement of images to depict a unified storyline






20. A picture element - a measure of image density. There are approximately 18 million pixels in a frame of 35mm film and 300000-400000 in a video image






21. A short documentary on current events - show in movie theaters along with cartoons and feature films beginning in the 1930s






22. A shot that depicts a human body from the feet up






23. The classical model of narrative form. The first act introduces characters and conflicts; the second act offers complication leading to a climax; the third act contains the danouement and resolution






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






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






26. 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






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






28. A marketing strategy of screening a blockbuster prior to general release only in premier theaters






29. A similarity established between two characters or situations that invites the audience to compare the two. It may involve visual - narrative - and/or sound elements






30. A shot transition that involves the gradual disappearance of the image at the same time that a new image gradually comes into view






31. 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






32. A crew member whose job is to measure the distance between the subject and the camera lens - marking the ring on the camera lens - and ensuring the ring is turned precisely so that the image is in focus






33. The arrangement of actors on screen as a compositional element that suggests themes - character development - emotional content - and visual motifs






34. The annotated script - containing information about set-ups used during shooting






35. 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






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






37. 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






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






39. Lighting design in which the greater intensity of the key light makes it impossible for the fill to eliminate shadows - producing a high-contrast image (with many grades of light and dark) - a number of shadows - and a somber mood






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






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






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






44. The arrangement of images to depict a unified storyline






45. 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






46. Creating an image by combining several elements created separately using computer graphics rather than photographic means






47. The space between the camera and subject it is filming.






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






49. Creating the appearance of movement by drawing a series of frames that are projected sequentially - rather than photographing a series of still images






50. A shot that depicts a human body from the feet up