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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. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






2. Live action is filmed in front of a blue screen and a matte. It's then joined with the background footage






3. 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






4. A large-budget film whose strategy is to swamp the competition through market saturation






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






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






7. 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






8. 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






9. A type of filter that absorbs certain wavelength but leave others unaffected. On black and white film - color filters lighten or darken tones. On color film - they can produce a range of effects






10. 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






11. A film style that emerged in the 1910s in Germany. It was heavily indebted to the Expressionist art movement of the time and influenced subsequent horror films and film noir






12. A lens with a variable focal length that allows changes of focal length while keeping the subject in focus






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






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






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






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






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






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






19. Images that originate from computer graphics technology - rather than photography






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 camera device that opens and closes to regulate the length of time the film is exposed to light






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






23. The classical model of narrative form. The first act introduces characters and conflicts; the second act offers complication leading to a climax; the third act contains the danouement and resolution






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






25. A property of older television monitors - where each frame was scanned as two fields: One consisting of all the odd numbered lines - the other all the even lines. If slowed down - the television image would appear to sweep down the screen one line at






26. 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






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






28. The selection and ordering of narrative events presented in a film






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






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






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






32. A narrative - visual - or sound element that refers viewers to other films or works of art






33. Recording images at a slower speed than the speed of projection (24 frames per second). Before cameras were motorized - this was called undercranking. Fewer frames are exposed in one minute - so - when projected at 24 f.p.s. - that action takes less






34. 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






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






36. Dialogue that restates What is already obvious from images or action






37. 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






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






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






40. 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






41. A production term referring to coordinating actors' movements with lines of dialogue






42. 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






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






44. 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






45. Suspended particles of silver in the film's emulsion - Which may become visible in the final image as dots






46. Dutch angle; a shot resulting from a static camera that is tilted to the right or left - so that the subject in the frame appears at a diagonal






47. 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.'






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






49. Also called 'd-cinema.' Not to be confused with digital cinematography (shooting movies on digital video) - this term refers to using digital technologies for exhibition






50. Assists the gaffer in managing lighting crews