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






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






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






4. A technician responsible for splicing and assembling the film negative to the editor's specifications






5. A style of Japanese animation - distinguished primarily by the fact that it is not all geared for young audiences






6. 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






7. Lighting design in which the greater intensity of the key light makes it impossible for the fill to eliminate shadows - producing a high-contrast image (with many grades of light and dark) - a number of shadows - and a somber mood






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






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






10. Lighting design where the key light is somewhat more intense than the fill light - so the fill does not eliminate every shadow. The effect is generally less cheerful than high-key lighting - but not as gloomy as low-key lighting






11. An agreement made between filmmakers and those who license the use of commercial products to feature those products in films - generally as props used by characters






12. Filters that increase color saturation and contrast in outdoor shots






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






14. Muted - washed out color that contains more white than a saturated color






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






16. 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






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






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






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






20. Creating an image by combining several elements created separately using computer graphics rather than photographic means






21. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






22. A production crew responsible not for shooting the primary footage but - instead - for remote location shooting and B-roll. See also B-roll






23. 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






24. A widescreen process that uses three cameras - three projectors - and a wide - curved screen






25. The non-chronological insertion of scenes of events yet to happen into the present day of the story world






26. 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






27. Thin - flexible material comprised of base and emulsion layers - onto which light rays are focused and which is processed in chemicals to produce film images






28. The conclusion of the film wraps up - all loose ends in a form of resolution - though not necessarily with a happy ending.






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






30. A technique of cutting back and forth between action occurring in two different locations - which often creates the illusion that they are happening simultaneously. Also called 'cross cutting.'






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






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






33. The period after principal photography during which editing and looping take place - and special visual effects are added to the film






34. 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.






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






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






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






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






39. 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






40. An efficient system developed for film lighting. In a standard lighting set-up - the key light illuminates the subject - the fill light eliminates shadows cast by the key light - and the back light separates the subject from the background






41. A term used for any narrative sound - or visual element not contained in the story world. Also called 'extradiegetic'






42. A process of transferring film to video tapes or DVDs so that the original aspect ratio of the film is preserved






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






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






45. The non-chronological insertion of events from the past into the present day of the story world






46. A visual effect created when the subject in the frame is restricted by the objects or the physical properties of the set






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






48. 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






49. A technique of recording very few images over a long period of time - say - one frame per minute or per day






50. 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