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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 large-budget film whose strategy is to swamp the competition through market saturation






2. A shot taken from a level camera located approximately 5' to 6' from the ground - simulating the perspective of a person standing before the action presented






3. A narrative - visual - or sound element that refers viewers to other films or works of art






4. The distance that appears in focus in front of and behind the subject. It is determined by the aperture - distance and focal length of lens






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






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






7. 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






8. Also called 'd-cinema.' Not to be confused with digital cinematography (shooting movies on digital video) - this term refers to using digital technologies for exhibition






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






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






11. 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






12. 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






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






14. 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






15. 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






16. The imagined world of the story






17. A technique of intentionally adding scratches in a film's emulsion layer for aesthetic purposes - such as to simulate home movie footage






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






19. Experimental film; Underground cinema;






20. Author; A term popularized by French film critics and refers to film directors with their own distinctive style






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






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






23. A filter that simply reduces the amount of light entering the lens - without affecting the color characteristics






24. A compositing method that allows cinematographers to combine live action and settings that are filmed or created separately. Actors are filmed against a green or blue background. During post-production - this background is filled in with an image thr






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






26. 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






27. The falling or unraveling action after the climax of a narrative that leads to resolution






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






29. A change of focus from one plane of depth to another. As the in-focus subject goes out of focus - another object - which has been blurry - comes into focus in either the background or the foreground






30. A shot in a sequence that is taken from the reverse angle of the shot previous to it






31. A direct vocal address to the audience - Which may emanate from a character or from a narrative voice apparently unrelated to the diegesis






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






33. 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






34. A musical film in which each song and dance number is narratively motivated by a plot that situates characters in performance contexts






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






36. 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






37. A post-studio era Hollywood film designed to appeal to the broadest possible audience by fusing a simple story line with major movie stars and mounting a lavish marketing campaign






38. 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






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






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






41. A small - variable opening on a camera lens that regulates the amount of light entering the camera and striking the surface of the film






42. A system for combining two separately filmed images in the same frame that involves create a matte (a black mask that covers a portion of the image) for a live action sequence and using it to block out a portion of the frame when filming the backgrou






43. A small - variable opening on a camera lens that regulates the amount of light entering the camera and striking the surface of the film






44. 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






45. The selection and ordering of narrative events presented in a film






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






47. 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






48. Projecting a series of frames of film with the same image - which appears to stop the action






49. A story; a chain of events linked by cause-and-effect logic






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







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