Test your basic knowledge |

Television Vocab

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. When camera is looking down at a character






2. VCR - DVR: digital technologies have given viewers more power to replay - redistribute - watch when convenient - fast forward commercials






3. Straps the camera to the operator to make it glide. attempts to be realistic






4. Low cost of live production with the repeatability of telefilm. recorded on videotape and saved for a future broadcast






5. Common in soaps where two people face camera in the same direction so they cant see each other's reactions






6. Can be incidental (footsteps or crown laughing) or artificially enhanced. creates a richer environment






7. Cutting to a sequence occurring simultaneous in another location. creates suspense or thematic parallels






8. Puts shots together into a larger program. appears almost unnoticeable






9. Shift from dominant networks to cable and satellite. there was a wide range of target audiences. viewed TV as the central information and communication medium for the American public.






10. Audio and video in an edits are staggered: the next's scenes sound is heard before cutting to the shot






11. Diegetic - and non-diegetic






12. Aka the establishing shot. sets the scene from a distance. they help ground the program in a particular location






13. A popular form of early TV programming that brought live dramatic theater to television; influenced by stage plays - anthologies offered new teleplays - casts - directors - writers and sets from week to week






14. Filmed TV show - sold to stations and syndicators to reduce financial risk. better quality than kinescope. allowed for flexibility in editing as well as single camera






15. Presumably not heard by characters. can be either from audience or pre-recorded






16. Mobile-- on site. multiple takes from multiple angles - shot out of order






17. Mimics the motion of turning your head left or right






18. Refers to the world representing in a program






19. When the camera is angled. provided a disorienting slant perspective






20. When camera is looking up at a character






21. Chest up. provide facial detail without feeling overtly intrusive






22. Allow a high degree of intimacy and emotional expression






23. An edit where the shots do not sufficiently re-frame the action






24. When graphic images are incorporated into traditionally shot programming. used to create creatures or complex effects-- sci fi and horror






25. The basic unit of editing. an instant switch from one shot to another. re-frames the visual perspective on the action






26. We cannot loose ourselves in the programming because it is so artificial-- people don't randomly break out into song. very stylized. realistic in content vs. form-- ex: glee






27. Moving cameras along a line. moves the entire camera along with someone. follows actors steadily through space






28. When people are talking






29. Graphically generated visuals are placed atop a video image. ex: credits or captions






30. The musical (instrumental) soundtrack that can define a scene's mood - tone - and genre. can help determine the genre. usually original compositions






31. Spacial relation between elements






32. Rhythmically edits a number of visual sequence over a song that signals an emotional response






33. Alters the degree of magnification and depth of an image






34. When the viewer can become lost in the story. even in sci-fi as long as the world they are in seem relate-able to our world. realistic in form vs. content






35. Images are created and animated digitally






36. The formal characteristics that help express meaning independently of a text's context






37. Represent the program as a whole. become part of the identity (iconic)






38. Targets media to specific segments of the audience






39. When a line or shape passes through the screen to switch to another shot. less naturalistic and usually reserved for highly presentational programming






40. Establishing shot of entire scene






41. Everything that takes place in front of the camera: set. props - lighting - costume - makeup - and actor movements and performance






42. Footage sent to a control room and director indicates when to cut back and forth from each camera. 4th wall-- doesn't feel natural. rooted in theater






43. The creation or manipulation of images using non-photographic techniques






44. Mimics the motion of turning your head up or down. shows the height of the subject






45. When a shot had a narrow depth of field and part of the image is out of focus






46. Videotape allowed individual camera angles to be replayed in slow motion-- allowed for the growth of football






47. Sequence is consistent. one character is always on the left - other on the right. avoids distorting






48. Allows and isolated detail - object - or body part to fill the screen. commonly used to highlight a piece of evidence or object contributing to the narrative






49. Viewers expect content to be believable and relate to their world-- tricky b/c TV is inherently unrealistic






50. Moving cameras that can wheel any direction. moves the entire camera along with someone. follows actors steadily through space