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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 visual arrangement of objects - actors - and space within the frame






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






3. A description of film stock that is highly sensitive to light






4. A genre film that radically modifies accepted genre conventions for dramatic effect






5. A technique of moving a zoom lens from a wide-angle position to a telephoto position - which results in a magnification of the subject within the frame - and keeps the subject in focus






6. A shot in a sequence that is taken from the reverse angle of the shot previous to it






7. Processes such as Cinemascope and Cinerama - developed during the 1950s to enhance film's size advantage over the smaller television image






8. A long shot in which the film frame resembles the proscenium arch of the stage - distancing the audience






9. The camera does not move across an imagined line drawn between two characters






10. 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






11. A scene filmed and processed but not selected to appear in the final version of the film






12. 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






13. Also called 'full screen -' the technique of re-shooting a widescreen film in order to convert it to the original television aspect ration of 1.33 to 1. Rather than reproduce the original aspect ratio - as a letterboxed version does - a panned and sc






14. A narrative - visual - or sound element that refers viewers to other films or works of art






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






16. 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






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






18. A process of blending the three elements of the sound track (dialogue - music - and effects) in post-production






19. Leaving the silver grains in the emulsion rather than bleaching them out - which produces desaturated color






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






21. A method for producing a widescreen image without special lenses or equipment - using standard film stock and blocking out the top and bottom of the frame to achieve an aspect ration of 1.85:1






22. 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






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






24. 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






25. Filters that increase color saturation and contrast in outdoor shots






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






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






28. Optical illusions created during post-production






29. (Automatic dialogue replacement) recording synchronized dialogue in post-production - cutting several identical lengths of developed film and having actors record the dialogue repeatedly






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






31. A platform on wheels - used for mobile camera shots






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






33. Also called 'stop motion photography.' A technique of photographing a scene one frame at a time and moving the model between each shot






34. An abrupt - inexplicable shift in time and place of an action not signaled by an appropriate shot transition






35. The rules of character - setting - and narrative that films that belong to a genre - such as Westerns - horror films - and screwball comedies - generally obey.






36. Materials intentionally released by studios to attract public attention to films and their stars. Promotion differs from publicity - which is information that is not (or does not appear to be) intentionally disseminated by studios






37. A method for producing a widescreen image without special lenses or equipment - using standard film stock and blocking out the top and bottom of the frame to achieve an aspect ration of 1.85:1






38. A contemporary modification of the standard three-act structure that identifies a critical turning point at the halfway mark of most narrative films






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






40. The way an actor delivers a line of dialogue - including pauses - inflection - and emotion






41. A shot transition that emphasizes the visual similarities between two consecutive shots






42. Non-diegetic; any element in the film that is not part of the imagined story world






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






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






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






46. A technician responsible for splicing and assembling the film negative to the editor's specifications






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






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






49. A camera shot taken at a large distance from the subject. Using the human body as the subject - a long shot captures the entire human form






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