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 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






2. A shot transition where shot A slowly disappears as the screen becomes black before shot B appears. A fade-in is the reverse of this process






3. A technique of manipulating focus to direct the viewer's attention






4. Because film stock is sensitive to the color of light - directors work with film labs in post-production to monitor the color scheme of each scene in a film - making adjustments for consistency and aesthetic effect






5. A statement that asserts a judgment that a given film or group of films is good or bad - based on specific criteria - Which may or may not be stated






6. A screenplay written and submitted to a studio or production company without a prior contract or agreement






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






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






9. A platform on wheels - used for mobile camera shots






10. A rule in continuity editing - which dictates that if a cut occurs while a character is in the midst of an action - the subsequent shot must begin so that audiences see the completion of that action






11. An abrupt - inexplicable shift in time and place of an action not signaled by an appropriate shot transition






12. Individuals who were prevented from working in the film industry because of their suspected involvement with Communist interests






13. 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






14. An effect created when more light is required to produce an image strakes the film stock - so that the resulting image exhibits high contrast - glaring light - and washed out shadows. This effect ma or may not be intentional on the filmmaker's part






15. A transparent sheet on which animation artists draw images.






16. A shot depicting the human body from the waist up






17. These filters bend the light coming into lens - softening and blurring the image






18. A camera shot taken at a large distance from the subject. Using the human body as the subject - a long shot captures the entire human form






19. A similarity established between two characters or situations that invites the audience to compare the two. It may involve visual - narrative - and/or sound elements






20. 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






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






22. A contemporary modification of the standard three-act structure that identifies a critical turning point at the halfway mark of most narrative films






23. Any lens with a focal length approximately equal to the diagonal of the frame. For 35mm filmmaking - a 35-50 mm lens does not distort the angle of vision or depth






24. A chemical coating on film stock containing light-sensitive grains






25. 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






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






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






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






29. A technique in which the audience temporarily shares the visual perspective of a character or a group of characters. The camera points in the directions the character looks - simulating the character's field of vision






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






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






32. A system for recording images on magnetic tape using a digital signal - that is - an electronic signal comprised of 0s and 1s






33. 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






34. A pan executed so quickly that it produces a blurred image - indicated rapid activity or - sometimes - the passage of time






35. A shot transition that emphasizes the visual similarities between two consecutive shots






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






37. 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






38. An uncredited actor - usually hired for crowd scenes






39. 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






40. 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






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






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






43. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






44. 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






45. The imagined world of the story






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






47. A flexible celluloid strip that - along with the emulsion layer - comprises 35mm film stock






48. 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






49. 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






50. Public identity created by marketing a film actor's performances - press coverage - and 'personal' information to fans as the star's personality






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



Let me suggest you:

Browse all subjects

Browse all tests

Most popular tests



Major Subjects

Tests & Exams


AP
CLEP
DSST
GRE
SAT
GMAT

Browse all subjects

Browse all tests

Most popular tests