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






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






3. The falling or unraveling action after the climax of a narrative that leads to resolution






4. Drawing attention to the process of representation (including narrative and characterization) to break the theatrical illusion and elicit a distanced - intellectual response in the audience






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 group of films within a given genre that share their own specific set of conventions that differentiate them from other films in the genre. For example - the slasher film is a subgenre of the horror genre






7. An optical effect whereby the eye continues to register a visual stimulus in the brain for a brief period after that stimulus has been removed






8. A system for combining two separately filmed images in the same frame that involves create a matte (a black mask that covers a portion of the image) for a live action sequence and using it to block out a portion of the frame when filming the backgrou






9. A crew member who works in post-production in a specially equipped studio to create the sounds of the story world - such as the shuffling of shoes on various surfaces for footsteps






10. The central cause(s) behind a character's actions






11. A technique of moving from the telephoto position to the wide-angle position of a zoom lens - which results in the subject appearing to become smaller within the frame - while remaining in focus






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






13. A painting used on the set as a portion of the background






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






15. 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






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






17. A shot taken by a camera that is held manually rather than supported by a tripod - crane or Steadicam. Generally - such shots are shaky - owing to the motion of the camera operator






18. A technique of moving a zoom lens from a wide-angle position to a telephoto position - which results in a magnification of the subject within the frame - and keeps the subject in focus






19. The individual arrangement of lighting and camera placement used for each shot






20. The building block of a scene; an uninterrupted sequence of frames that viewers experience as they watch a film - ending with a cut - fade - dissolve - etc. See also Take






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






22. A device attached to the film camera that records videotape of what has been filmed - allowing the director immediate access to video footage






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






24. 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






25. The term for a film's spoken dialogue - as opposed to the underlying meaning contained in the subtext






26. A transparent sheet on which animation artists draw images.






27. A technique of moving from the telephoto position to the wide-angle position of a zoom lens - which results in the subject appearing to become smaller within the frame - while remaining in focus






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






29. 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






30. A process of blending the three elements of the sound track (dialogue - music - and effects) in post-production






31. The period of time before principal photography during which actors are signed - sets and costumes designed - and locations scouted






32. A technique of intentionally adding scratches in a film's emulsion layer for aesthetic purposes - such as to simulate home movie footage






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






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






35. 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






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






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






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






39. The term for a film's spoken dialogue - as opposed to the underlying meaning contained in the subtext






40. A statement that asserts a judgment that a given film or group of films is good or bad - based on specific criteria - Which may or may not be stated






41. A relatively long - uninterrupted sot - generally of a minute or more






42. A genre film that radically modifies accepted genre conventions for dramatic effect






43. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






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






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






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






47. 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






48. 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.






49. A film composed entirely of footage from other films.






50. A class or type of film - such as the Western or the horror movie. They share narrative - visual - and/or sound conventions