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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. Secondary footage that is interspersed with master shots - sometimes in the form of footage shot for another production or archival footage






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






3. A measure of the visual and sound quality of a film. Low-budget films tend to have lower production values because they lack the resources to devote to expensive pre- and post-production activities






4. 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






5. A technique of exposing film frames - then rewinding the film and exposing it again - which results in an image that combines two shots in a single frame






6. A production term denoting a single uninterrupted series of frames exposed by a motion picture or video camera between the time it is turned on and the time it is turned off. Filmmakers shoot several takes of any scene and the film editor selects the






7. 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






8. 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






9. A technique of 'pushing' the film (overdeveloping it) to correct problems of underexposure (resulting from insufficient light during shooting) by increasing image contrast






10. 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






11. A shot transition that involves the gradual disappearance of the image at the same time that a new image gradually comes into view






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






13. Author; A term popularized by French film critics and refers to film directors with their own distinctive style






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






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






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






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






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






19. A black masking device used to black out a portion of the frame - usually for the insertion of other images






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






21. A business model adopted by the major studios during the Hollywood studio era - in which studios controlled all aspects of the film business - from production to distribution and exhibition






22. A black masking device used to black out a portion of the frame - usually for the insertion of other images






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






24. Non-diegetic; any element in the film that is not part of the imagined story world






25. Leaving the silver grains in the emulsion rather than bleaching them out - which produces desaturated color






26. 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






27. A person responsible for putting a film together from a mass of developed footage - making decisions regarding pace - shot transitions - and which scenes and shots will be used






28. 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






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






30. 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






31. Invisible editing; a system devised to minimize the audience's awareness of shot transitions - especially cuts - in order to improve the flow of the story and avoid interrupting the viewer's immersion it in






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






33. The length in minutes for a film to play in its entirety (for example - 120 minutes). Also referred to as 'screen time.'






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






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






36. A technique of leaving empty space around the subject in the frame - in order to covey openness and continuity of visible space and to imply offscreen space






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






38. A filter that creates points of light that streak outward from a light source






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






40. A shot that includes a human figure from the shoulders up






41. The annotated script - containing information about set-ups used during shooting






42. Louis Althusser's term for the way in which a society creates its subjects/citizens through ideological (as opposed to repressive) state apparatuses - which include education - media - religion - and the family






43. A pan executed so quickly that it produces a blurred image - indicated rapid activity or - sometimes - the passage of time






44. A term describing a conclusion that does not answer all the questions raised regarding characters or storylines - nor tie up all loose ends






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






46. The five vertically integrated corporations that exerted the greatest control over film production in the studio era: MGM - Warner Brothers - RKO - Twentieth Century Fox - and Paramount






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






48. An efficient system developed for film lighting. In a standard lighting set-up - the key light illuminates the subject - the fill light eliminates shadows cast by the key light - and the back light separates the subject from the background






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






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






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



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