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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. Any lens with a focal length approximately equal to the diagonal of the frame. For 35mm filmmaking - a 35-50 mm lens does not distort the angle of vision or depth






2. A technique used to join live action with a pre-recorded background image. A projector is placed behind a screen and projects an image onto it. Actors stand in front of the screen and the camera records them in front of the projected background






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






4. The central cause(s) behind a character's actions






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






6. A filter that simply reduces the amount of light entering the lens - without affecting the color characteristics






7. Smaller corporations that did not own distribution and/or exhibition companies in the studio era - including Universal - Columbia - and United Artists






8. A standard shot pattern that dictates that a shot of one character will be followed by a shot of another character - taken from the reverse angle of the first shot






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 flexible celluloid strip that - along with the emulsion layer - comprises 35mm film stock






11. A computer-generated actor that some speculate will replace flesh and blood actors in the not so distant future






12. 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






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






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






15. The distance that appears in focus in front of and behind the subject. It is determined by the aperture - distance and focal length of lens






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






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






18. A type of filter that absorbs certain wavelength but leave others unaffected. On black and white film - color filters lighten or darken tones. On color film - they can produce a range of effects






19. A shot that contains two characters within the frame






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






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






22. A technique of filming at a speed faster than projection - the projecting the footage at normal speed of 24 frames per second. Because fewer frames were recorded per second - the action appears to be speeded up






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






24. A rule in continuity editing - which dictates that if a cut occurs while a character is in the midst of an action - the subsequent shot must begin so that audiences see the completion of that action






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






26. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






27. The chip in a video camera that converts the incoming light to an electronic signal






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






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






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






31. 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






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






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






34. 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






35. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






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






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






38. 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






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






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






41. A model of industrial organization in the film industry from about 1915 to 1946 - characterized by the development of major and minor studios that produced - distributed - and exhibited films - and held film actors - directors - art directors - and o






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






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






44. 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






45. The camera should move at least 30 degrees any time there is a cut within a scene






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






47. A single take that contains an entire scene






48. 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






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






50. A measure of a film stock's sensitivity to light. 'Fast' refers to sensitive film stock - while slow film is relatively insensitive







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