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 lens with a focal length greater than 50 mm (usually between 80mm and 20mm) - which provides a larger image of the subject than a normal or wide-angle lens but which narrows the angle of vision and flattens the depth of the image relative to normal






2. The distance in millimeters from the optical center of a lens to the lane where the sharpest image is formed while focusing on a distant object






3. 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






4. An action film cycle of the late 1960s and early 1970s that featured bold - rebellious African American characters






5. 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






6. A fiction film (often a comedy) that uses documentary conventions on fictional rather than real-world subject matter






7. Creating the appearance of movement by drawing a series of frames that are projected sequentially - rather than photographing a series of still images






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






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






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






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






12. 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






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






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






15. 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)






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






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






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






19. 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.






20. Glass filters whose surface is etched with spots that refract light - so they create the appearance of water droplets in the air






21. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






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






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






24. 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






25. 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






26. A documentary or occasionally - a narrative film that presents only one side of an argument or one approach to a subject






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






28. A lens with a focal length greater than 50 mm (usually between 80mm and 20mm) - which provides a larger image of the subject than a normal or wide-angle lens but which narrows the angle of vision and flattens the depth of the image relative to normal






29. An unstated meaning that underlies and is implied by spoken dialogue






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






31. Thin - flexible material comprised of base and emulsion layers - onto which light rays are focused and which is processed in chemicals to produce film images






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






33. A lens with a shorter focal length than a normal or telephoto lens (usually between 15-35mm). The subject appears smaller as a result - but the angle of vision is wider and an illusion is created of greater depth in the frame






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






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






36. Creating the appearance of movement by drawing a series of frames that are projected sequentially - rather than photographing a series of still images






37. The plotline that surrounds an embedded tale. The frame narration may or may not be as fully developed as the embedded tale






38. The written blueprint for a film - composed of three elements: dialogue - sluglines (setting the place and time of each scene) - and description. Feature-length screenplays typically run 90-130 pages






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






40. The imagined world of the story






41. A chemical embedded in the emulsion layer of film stock that - when developed after exposure - releases a particular color dye (red - green - or blue)






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






43. A short segment of film used to promote an upcoming release






44. A part of the story world implied by visual or sound techniques rather than being revealed by the camera






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






46. A system initially developed for marketing films by creating and promoting stars as objects of admiration. The promotion of stars has now become an end in itself






47. A technique used to join live action with a pre-recorded background image. A projector is placed behind a screen and projects an image onto it. Actors stand in front of the screen and the camera records them in front of the projected background






48. A single take that contains an entire scene






49. 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






50. A shot taken from a camera mounted on a crane that moves three-dimensionally in a space