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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 shot taken from a camera mounted on a crane that moves three-dimensionally in a space






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






3. 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






4. A group of films within a given genre that share their own specific set of conventions that differentiate them from other films in the genre. For example - the slasher film is a subgenre of the horror genre






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






6. Using computer graphics to 'build' structures connected to the actual architecture on set or location






7. The rules of character - setting - and narrative that films that belong to a genre - such as Westerns - horror films - and screwball comedies - generally obey.






8. A film process that uses 35mm film stock but changes the orientation of the film so that the film moves through the camera horizontally instead of vertically. The larger image is of higher quality than standard 35mm processes






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






10. An alternative to classical and realist styles - formalism is a self-consciously interventionist approach that explores ideas - abstraction - and aesthetics rather than focusing on storytelling (as in classical films) or everyday life (as in realist






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






12. The visual arrangement of objects - actors - and space within the frame






13. 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






14. An early color process - involving bathing lengths of processed film in dye one scene at a time






15. Dutch angle; a shot resulting from a static camera that is tilted to the right or left - so that the subject in the frame appears at a diagonal






16. A technique of shooting a scene at a very high speed (96 frames per second) - then adding and subtracting frames in post-production - 'fanning out' the action through the overlapping images






17. 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






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






19. A lens with a shorter focal length than a normal or telephoto lens (usually between 15-35mm). The subject appears smaller as a result - but the angle of vision is wider and an illusion is created of greater depth in the frame






20. A term describing a conclusion that does not answer all the questions raised regarding characters or storylines - nor tie up all loose ends






21. A character who in some way opposes the protagonist - leading to protracted conflict






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






23. 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






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






25. The annotated script - containing information about set-ups used during shooting






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






27. 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






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






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






30. The arrangement of actors on screen as a compositional element that suggests themes - character development - emotional content - and visual motifs






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






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






33. 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






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






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






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 term that refers to the organization of an industry wherein one type of corporation also owns corporations in allied industries - for example - film production and video games






38. 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






39. The aspect ratio of 1.33:1 - standardized by the Academy of Motion Picture Art and Sciences until the development of widescreen formats in the 1950s






40. A type of film stock that is sensitive to (in other words - registers) all tones in the color spectrum






41. A process of blending the three elements of the sound track (dialogue - music - and effects) in post-production






42. An optical effect whereby the human eye fills in gaps between closely spaced objects - so that two light bulbs flashing on and off are understood as one light moving back and forth






43. Secondary footage that is interspersed with master shots - sometimes in the form of footage shot for another production or archival footage






44. A type of film stock that is sensitive to (in other words - registers) all tones in the color spectrum






45. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






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






47. A complete narrative unit within a film - with its own beginning - middle - and end. Often scenes are unified - and distinguished from one another - by time and setting






48. A documentary or occasionally - a narrative film that presents only one side of an argument or one approach to a subject






49. An outlawed studio era practice - where studios forced exhibitors to book groups of films at once - thus ensuring a market for their failures along with their successes






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