Test your basic knowledge |

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






2. Literary narration from a viewpoint beyond that of any one individual character






3. A statement that presents an argument about a film's meaning and significance






4. A device worn by a camera operator that holds the motion picture camera - allowing it glide smoothly through spaces unreachable by camera mounted on a crane or other apparatus






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






6. Optical illusions created during post-production






7. A shot taken by a camera that is held manually rather than supported by a tripod - crane or Steadicam. Generally - such shots are shaky - owing to the motion of the camera operator






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






9. 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






10. 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






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






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






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






14. A format that uses a larger film stock than standard 35mm. IMAX - Omnimax - and Showscan are shot on 70mm film






15. 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






16. A technique in which the audience temporarily shares the visual perspective of a character or a group of characters. The camera points in the directions the character looks - simulating the character's field of vision






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






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






19. A crew member who works in post-production in a specially equipped studio to create the sounds of the story world - such as the shuffling of shoes on various surfaces for footsteps






20. A shot taken from a camera position below the subject






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






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






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






24. An abrupt shot transition that occurs when Shot A is instantaneously replaced by Shot B.






25. 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






26. A shot taken from a camera position above the subject - looking down at it






27. A consistent style - theme - and subject matter developed over the course of a director's body of work






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






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






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






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






32. A crew member who reports to the Director of Photography (DP) and is in charge of tasks involving lighting and electrical needs






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






34. A series of related scene joined through elliptical editing that indicates the passage of time






35. Muted - washed out color that contains more white than a saturated color






36. A style associated with Hollywood filmmaking of the studio and post-studio era - in which efficient storytelling - rather than gritty realism or aesthetic innovation - is of paramount importance






37. The imagined world of the story






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






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






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






41. A device that projects photographs or footage onto glass so that images can be traced by hand to create animated images






42. 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






43. Suspended particles of silver in the film's emulsion - Which may become visible in the final image as dots






44. An efficient system developed for film lighting. In a standard lighting set-up - the key light illuminates the subject - the fill light eliminates shadows cast by the key light - and the back light separates the subject from the background






45. Optical illusions created during production - including the use of matte paintings - glass shots - models - and prosthesis






46. 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






47. A business model adopted by the major studios during the Hollywood studio era - in which studios controlled all aspects of the film business - from production to distribution and exhibition






48. 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






49. The length in minutes for a film to play in its entirety (for example - 120 minutes). Also referred to as 'screen time.'






50. 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