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






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






3. Wheeled platform with wheels that rotate - so the dolly can change direction






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






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






6. 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






7. The first step in the process of creating CGI. The wireframe is a three-dimensional computer model of an object - which is then rendered (producing the finished image) and animated (using simulated camera movement frame by frame)






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






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






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






12. The first shot in a standard shot sequence. Its purpose is to provide a clear representation of the location of the action






13. A direct vocal address to the audience - Which may emanate from a character or from a narrative voice apparently unrelated to the diegesis






14. A small - variable opening on a camera lens that regulates the amount of light entering the camera and striking the surface of the film






15. The person in charge of planning the style and look of the film with the production designer and director of photography - working with actors during principal photography - and collaborating with the editor on the final version






16. Projecting a series of frames of film with the same image - which appears to stop the action






17. A shot taken when the camera is so close to a subject that it fills the frame. It is most commonly used for a shot that isolates and encompasses a single actor's face - to emphasize the expression of emotion






18. A sound editing technique that links several scenes through parallel and overlapping sounds. Each sound is associated with one scene - unlike a sound bridge - where a sound from one scene bleeds into that of another






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






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






21. A direct vocal address to the audience - Which may emanate from a character or from a narrative voice apparently unrelated to the diegesis






22. The practice or repeatedly casting actors in similar roles across different films






23. A form of shot transition - generally concluding a scene - where a circular mask constricts around the image until the entire frame is black






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






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






26. 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






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






28. A description of film stock that is highly sensitive to light






29. The arrangement of images to depict a unified storyline






30. 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






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






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






33. A character who in some way opposes the protagonist - leading to protracted conflict






34. A short screen appearance by a celebrity - playing himself or herself






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






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






37. Also called 'stop motion photography.' A technique of photographing a scene one frame at a time and moving the model between each shot






38. The width of the film stock - measured across the frame. Typical sizes are 8mm - 16mm - 35mm - and 70mm






39. Film productions shot outside the U.S. for economic reasons






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






41. A small - variable opening on a camera lens that regulates the amount of light entering the camera and striking the surface of the film






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






43. The imagined world of the story






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






46. An effect created when too little light strikes the film during shooting. As a result the image will contain dark areas that appear very dense and dark (including shadows) and the overall contrast will be less than with a properly exposed image






47. Reels of film that are shipped to movie theaters for exhibition. Digital cinema - which can be distributed via satellite - broadband - or on media such as DVDs - may soon replace film prints because the latter are expensive to create - copy - and dis






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






49. A shot that focuses audience attention on precise details that may or may not be the focus of characters






50. An optical effect whereby the human eye fills in gaps between closely spaced objects - so that two light bulbs flashing on and off are understood as one light moving back and forth