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






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






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






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






5. A short documentary on current events - show in movie theaters along with cartoons and feature films beginning in the 1930s






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






7. Squeezes the image at a ratio of 2:1 horizontally onto a standard film frame. On the projector - it unsqueezes the image - creating a widescreen aspect ratio during presentation






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






9. 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






10. 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






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






12. A musical in which some or all musical numbers are not motivated by the narrative; for example - characters sing and dance throughout the film but at least some performances are not staged for an onscreen audience. Examples include Oklahoma - The umb






13. The artful use of light and dark areas in the composition in black and white filmmaking






14. Any narrative - visual - or sound element that is repeated and thereby acquires and reflects its significance to the story - characters - or themes of the film.






15. A consistent style - theme - and subject matter developed over the course of a director's body of work






16. An optical technique that divides the screen into two or more frames






17. 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






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






19. A marketing strategy of screening a blockbuster prior to general release only in premier theaters






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






21. A shot combining two kinds of movement: the camera tracks in toward the subject wile the lens zooms out






22. An uncredited actor - usually hired for crowd scenes






23. Optical illusions created during production - including the use of matte paintings - glass shots - models - and prosthesis






24. A model of industrial organization in the film industry from about 1915 to 1946 - characterized by the development of major and minor studios that produced - distributed - and exhibited films - and held film actors - directors - art directors - and o






25. 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






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






27. Prefogging; a cinematographic technique that exposes raw film stock to light before - during - or after shooting - resulting in an image with reduced contrast. This effect can also be created using digital post-production techniques






28. A consistent style - theme - and subject matter developed over the course of a director's body of work






29. 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






30. A shot in a sequence that is taken from the reverse angle of the shot previous to it






31. 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






32. Dense accumulation of detail conveyed in the opening moments of a film






33. 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






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






35. 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






36. A scene transition in which the first frame of the incoming scene appears to push the last frame of the previous scene off the screen horizontally






37. Any narrative - visual - or sound element that is repeated and thereby acquires and reflects its significance to the story - characters - or themes of the film.






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






39. A shot taken from a level camera located approximately 5' to 6' from the ground - simulating the perspective of a person standing before the action presented






40. A shot filmed from an airplane or helicopter






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






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






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






44. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






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






46. A term for film stock used in early cinema that was insensitive to red hues






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






48. 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






49. The film medium's technological apparatus is inherently ideological






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