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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 filter that creates points of light that streak outward from a light source






2. Sound design that blends the speech of several characters talking simultaneously - used to create spontaneity - although it may also confuse the audience






3. A film composed entirely of footage from other films.






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






5. 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






6. 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






7. A technique of leaving empty space around the subject in the frame - in order to covey openness and continuity of visible space and to imply offscreen space






8. The film medium's technological apparatus is inherently ideological






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






10. The use of editing techniques - such as a fade or dissolve - to indicate the end of one scene and the beginning of another






11. 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






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






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






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






15. 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






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






17. The period after principal photography during which editing and looping take place - and special visual effects are added to the film






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






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






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






21. 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






22. Creating images during post-production by joining together photographic or CGI material shot or created at different times and places






23. An effect created when too little light strikes the film during shooting. As a result the image will contain dark areas that appear very dense and dark (including shadows) and the overall contrast will be less than with a properly exposed image






24. Assists the editor with various tasks - including taking footage to the lab - checking the condition of the negative - cataloguing footage - and supervising optical effects - often produced by an outside company






25. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






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






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






28. 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






29. 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






30. 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






31. The plotline that surrounds an embedded tale. The frame narration may or may not be as fully developed as the embedded tale






32. 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






33. A story narrated by one of the characters within the story - using the 'I' voice






34. A painting used on the set as a portion of the background






35. A technique of running the motion picture camera at a speed slower than projection speed (24 frames per second) - in order to produce at a fast motion sequence when projected at normal speed. The term derives from early film cameras - which were cran






36. Optical illusions created during post-production






37. A production term denoting a single uninterrupted series of frames exposed by a motion picture or video camera between the time it is turned on and the time it is turned off. Filmmakers shoot several takes of any scene and the film editor selects the






38. A single take that contains an entire scene






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






46. 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






47. Invisible editing; a system devised to minimize the audience's awareness of shot transitions - especially cuts - in order to improve the flow of the story and avoid interrupting the viewer's immersion it in






48. 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






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






50. The practice or repeatedly casting actors in similar roles across different films