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






2. The classical model of narrative form. The first act introduces characters and conflicts; the second act offers complication leading to a climax; the third act contains the danouement and resolution






3. 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






4. 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






5. A specialist who monitors the processing of color on the se and in the film lab






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






7. The horizontal turning movement of an otherwise immobile camera across a scene from left to right or vice versa






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






9. The horizontal turning movement of an otherwise immobile camera across a scene from left to right or vice versa






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






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






12. Lighting design where the key light is somewhat more intense than the fill light - so the fill does not eliminate every shadow. The effect is generally less cheerful than high-key lighting - but not as gloomy as low-key lighting






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






14. The first print made from a film negative






15. A technique of 'pushing' the film (overdeveloping it) to correct problems of underexposure (resulting from insufficient light during shooting) by increasing image contrast






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






17. 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






18. The reverse of Iris in: an iris expands outward until the next shot takes up the entire screen






19. A digital technique developed by Industrial Light and Magic - which builds movement sequences from single frames of film






20. 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






21. An optical technique that divides the screen into two or more frames






22. A form of shot transition - generally concluding a scene - where a circular mask constricts around the image until the entire frame is black






23. A technique of moving from the telephoto position to the wide-angle position of a zoom lens - which results in the subject appearing to become smaller within the frame - while remaining in focus






24. A shot taken when the camera is so close to a subject that it fills the frame. It is most commonly used for a shot that isolates and encompasses a single actor's face - to emphasize the expression of emotion






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






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






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






28. A marketing strategy of screening a blockbuster prior to general release only in premier theaters






29. A technique of recording very few images over a long period of time - say - one frame per minute or per day






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






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






32. 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






33. A technique of filming at a speed faster than projection - the projecting the footage at normal speed of 24 frames per second. Because fewer frames were recorded per second - the action appears to be speeded up






34. Color. The strength of a hue is measured by its saturation or desaturation






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






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






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






38. Creating the appearance of movement by drawing a series of frames that are projected sequentially - rather than photographing a series of still images






39. 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






40. An action film cycle of the late 1960s and early 1970s that featured bold - rebellious African American characters






41. 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






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






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






44. A technique of moving from the telephoto position to the wide-angle position of a zoom lens - which results in the subject appearing to become smaller within the frame - while remaining in focus






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






46. A specialist who monitors the processing of color on the se and in the film lab






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






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






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






50. Louis Althusser's term for the way in which a society creates its subjects/citizens through ideological (as opposed to repressive) state apparatuses - which include education - media - religion - and the family