Test your basic knowledge |

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






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






3. 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






4. 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






5. 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






6. An animation technique that uses a computer program to interpolate frames to produce the effect of an object or creature changing gradually into something different. The program calculates the way the image must change in order for the first image to






7. The measure of intensity or purity of a color. Saturated color is purer than desaturated color - which has more white in it and thus offers a washed-out - less intense version of a color






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






9. 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






10. Devices that attach to actors' faces and/or bodies to change their appearance






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






12. The first step in the process of creating CGI. The wireframe is a three-dimensional computer model of an object - which is then rendered (producing the finished image) and animated (using simulated camera movement frame by frame)






13. A glass element on a camera that focuses light rays so that the image of the object appears on the surface of the film






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






15. Light emitted from a larger source that is scattered over a bigger area or reflected off a surface before it strikes the subject. Soft light minimizes facial details - including wrinkles






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






17. 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






18. A short segment of film used to promote an upcoming release






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






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






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






22. The practice of shooting during the day but using filters and underexposure to create the illusion of nighttime






23. 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






24. 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






25. 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






26. Smaller corporations that did not own distribution and/or exhibition companies in the studio era - including Universal - Columbia - and United Artists






27. A fiction film (often a comedy) that uses documentary conventions on fictional rather than real-world subject matter






28. A shot combining two kinds of movement: the camera tracks in toward the subject wile the lens zooms out






29. An uncredited actor - usually hired for crowd scenes






30. The practice of Hollywood studios contracting out post-production work to individuals or firms outside the U.S.






31. Film productions shot outside the U.S. for economic reasons






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






34. 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






35. An early color process that replaced silver halide grains with colored salts






36. Cinema verite; a documentary style in which the filmmaker attempts to remain as unobtrusive as possible - recording without obvious editorial comment






37. Experimental film; Underground cinema;






38. 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






39. 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






40. 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






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






42. A technique of moving a zoom lens from a wide-angle position to a telephoto position - which results in a magnification of the subject within the frame - and keeps the subject in focus






43. Optical illusions created during post-production






44. 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






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






46. A technique used to join live action with pre-recorded background images. A projector is aimed at a half-silvered mirror that reflects the background - which the camera records as being located behind the actors






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






48. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






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






50. 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