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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 long shot in which the film frame resembles the proscenium arch of the stage - distancing the audience






2. A device worn by a camera operator that holds the motion picture camera - allowing it glide smoothly through spaces unreachable by camera mounted on a crane or other apparatus






3. 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






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






5. 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






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






7. The way an actor delivers a line of dialogue - including pauses - inflection - and emotion






8. 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






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






10. A continuity editing technique that preserves spatial continuity by using a character's line of vision as motivation for a cut






11. A machine used to create optical effects such as fades - dissolves - and superimpositions. Most are now created digitally






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






13. A film's main characters - one whose conflicts and motives drive the story forward






14. 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






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






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






17. An abrupt shot transition that occurs when Shot A is instantaneously replaced by Shot B.






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






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






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






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






22. A series of related scene joined through elliptical editing that indicates the passage of time






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






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






25. A technique of underdeveloping exposed film stock (leaving it in a chemical batch a shorter amount of time than usual) in order to achieve the visual effect of reducing contrast






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






27. The measurement of how forgiving a film stock is. It determines whether an acceptable image will be produced when the film stock is exposed to too little or too much light






28. A visual effect achieved through the use of photography and digital techniques that appears to stop time and allow the viewer to travel around the subject and view it from a multitude of vantage points






29. A measure of the visual and sound quality of a film. Low-budget films tend to have lower production values because they lack the resources to devote to expensive pre- and post-production activities






30. 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






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






32. 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






33. An actor whose career rests on playing minor or secondary quirky characters rather than leading roles






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. A continuity editing technique that preserves spatial continuity by using a character's line of vision as motivation for a cut






36. 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






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. 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






39. A brief chronological description of the basic events and characters in a film. It does not include interpretive or evaluative claims






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






41. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






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






43. A crew member responsible for logging the details of each take on the set so as to ensure continuity






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






45. A compositing method that allows cinematographers to combine live action and settings that are filmed or created separately. Actors are filmed against a green or blue background. During post-production - this background is filled in with an image thr






46. The details of a character's past that emerge as the film unfolds - and which often play a role in character motivation






47. A scene filmed and processed but not selected to appear in the final version of the film






48. 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






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






50. A post-studio era Hollywood film designed to appeal to the broadest possible audience by fusing a simple story line with major movie stars and mounting a lavish marketing campaign