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






2. A videotape system that records images onto magnetic tape - using electronic signals






3. A type of documentary film whose purpose is to present the way of life of a culture or subculture






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






5. A sound editing technique that links several scenes through parallel and overlapping sounds. Each sound is associated with one scene - unlike a sound bridge - where a sound from one scene bleeds into that of another






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






7. 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






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






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






10. A device attached to the film camera that records videotape of what has been filmed - allowing the director immediate access to video footage






11. 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






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






13. A type of matte shot - created by positioning a pane of optically flawless glass with a painting on it between the camera and the scene to be photographed. This combines the painting on the glass with the set or location - seen through the glass - be






14. A shot that interrupts a scene's master shot and may include character reactions






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






16. 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






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






18. A film's main characters - one whose conflicts and motives drive the story forward






19. 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






20. A narrative approach that limits the audience's view of events to that of the main character(s) in the film. Occasional moments of omniscient narration may give viewers more information than the character shave at specific points in the narrative






21. 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






22. A technique of moving the camera - on a specially built track. Such shots often trace character movement laterally across the frame or in and out of the depth of the frame






23. 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






24. A shot that appears during or near the end of a scene and reorients viewers to the setting






25. Glass filters whose surface is etched with spots that refract light - so they create the appearance of water droplets in the air






26. Exposed and developed film stock from which the master positive is struck. If projected - the negative would produce a reverse of the image - with dark areas appearing white and vice versa or - if color film - areas of color appearing as their comple






27. A short documentary on current events - show in movie theaters along with cartoons and feature films beginning in the 1930s






28. A term for film stock used in early cinema that was insensitive to red hues






29. A shot filmed from an airplane or helicopter






30. 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






31. 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






32. A musical in which some or all musical numbers are not motivated by the narrative; for example - characters sing and dance throughout the film but at least some performances are not staged for an onscreen audience. Examples include Oklahoma - The umb






33. A film style that emerged in the 1910s in Germany. It was heavily indebted to the Expressionist art movement of the time and influenced subsequent horror films and film noir






34. A shot that includes a human figure from the shoulders up






35. The person in charge of planning the style and look of the film with the production designer and director of photography - working with actors during principal photography - and collaborating with the editor on the final version






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






37. A shot transition where shot A slowly disappears as the screen becomes black before shot B appears. A fade-in is the reverse of this process






38. 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






39. The person in charge of planning the style and look of the film with the production designer and director of photography - working with actors during principal photography - and collaborating with the editor on the final version






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






41. A term applied to film stock that is relatively insensitive to light. This stock will not yield acceptable images unless the amount of light can be carefully controlled






42. Lighting design that provides an even illumination of the subject - with many facial details washed out. High-key lighting tends to create a hopeful mood - in contrast to low-key lighting






43. A non-standard narrative organization that assumes 'day in the life' quality rather than the highly structured three-act or four part narrative - and that features loose or indirect cause-effect relationships






44. 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






45. A film style that - in contrast to the classical and formalist styles - focuses characters - place - and the spontaneity and digressiveness of life - rather than on highly structured stories or aesthetic abstraction






46. A type of matte shot - created by positioning a pane of optically flawless glass with a painting on it between the camera and the scene to be photographed. This combines the painting on the glass with the set or location - seen through the glass - be






47. A short screen appearance by a celebrity - playing himself or herself






48. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






49. A production term referring to coordinating actors' movements with lines of dialogue






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







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