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. 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






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






3. 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






4. The use of editing techniques - such as a fade or dissolve - to indicate the end of one scene and the beginning of another






5. An uncredited actor - usually hired for crowd scenes






6. 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






7. A shot that contains two characters within the frame






8. Sound design that blends the speech of several characters talking simultaneously - used to create spontaneity - although it may also confuse the audience






9. A shot transition that involves the gradual disappearance of the image at the same time that a new image gradually comes into view






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






11. 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






12. A part of the story world implied by visual or sound techniques rather than being revealed by the camera






13. An optical effect whereby the eye continues to register a visual stimulus in the brain for a brief period after that stimulus has been removed






14. 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






15. Processes such as Cinemascope and Cinerama - developed during the 1950s to enhance film's size advantage over the smaller television image






16. Early films that documented everyday events - such as workers leaving a factory






17. 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






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






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






21. Assists the gaffer in managing lighting crews






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






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






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






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






26. Any narrative - visual - or sound element that is repeated and thereby acquires and reflects its significance to the story - characters - or themes of the film.






27. A picture element - a measure of image density. There are approximately 18 million pixels in a frame of 35mm film and 300000-400000 in a video image






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






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






30. The average length in seconds of a series of shots - covering a portion of a film or an entire film; a measure of pace within a scene or in the film as a whole.






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






32. A shot filmed from an airplane or helicopter






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






34. A shot taken from a camera position below the subject






35. Everything audiences hear when they watch a sound film. The soundtrack is the composite of all three elements of film sound: dialogue - music - and sound effects






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






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






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






39. A technique of shifting the camera angle - height - or distance to take into account the motion of actors or objects within the frame






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






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






42. A consistent style - theme - and subject matter developed over the course of a director's body of work






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






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






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






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






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






48. A device used to manipulate the amount and/or color of light entering the lens






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






50. A cinematography technique that produces an image with many planes of depth in focus. It can be accomplished by using a small aperture - a large distance between camera and subject - and/or a lens of short focal length