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






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






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






4. A narrative - visual - or sound element that refers viewers to other films or works of art






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






6. 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






7. A crew member whose job is to maintain consistency in visual details from one shot to the next






8. Light emitted from a relatively small source positioned close to the subject. It tends to be unflattering because it creates deep shadows and emphasizes surface imperfections






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






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






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






12. Cinema verite; a documentary style in which the filmmaker attempts to remain as unobtrusive as possible - recording without obvious editorial comment






13. A film style that emerged in the 1910s in Germany. It was heavily indebted to the Expressionist art movement of the time and influenced subsequent horror films and film noir






14. A style associated with Hollywood filmmaking of the studio and post-studio era - in which efficient storytelling - rather than gritty realism or aesthetic innovation - is of paramount importance






15. A contemporary modification of the standard three-act structure that identifies a critical turning point at the halfway mark of most narrative films






16. 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






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






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






19. 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






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






21. Live action is filmed in front of a blue screen and a matte. It's then joined with the background footage






22. 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






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






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






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






26. A type of film stock that is sensitive to (in other words - registers) all tones in the color spectrum






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






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






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






30. A crew member who reports to the Director of Photography (DP) and is in charge of tasks involving lighting and electrical needs






31. A technique of shifting the camera angle - height - or distance to take into account the motion of actors or objects within the frame






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






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






34. A story narrated by one of the characters within the story - using the 'I' voice






35. Literary narration from a viewpoint beyond that of any one individual character






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






37. A change of focus from one plane of depth to another. As the in-focus subject goes out of focus - another object - which has been blurry - comes into focus in either the background or the foreground






38. Sound design that blends the speech of several characters talking simultaneously - used to create spontaneity - although it may also confuse the audience






39. An outlawed studio era practice - where studios forced exhibitors to book groups of films at once - thus ensuring a market for their failures along with their successes






40. 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






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






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






43. 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






44. A technique of arranging the actors on the set to take advantage of deep focus cinematography - which allows for many planes of depth in the film frame to remain in focus






45. A system for recording images on magnetic tape using a digital signal - that is - an electronic signal comprised of 0s and 1s






46. Optical illusions created during post-production






47. A compositing method that allows cinematographers to combine live action and settings that are filmed or created separately. Actors are filmed against a green or blue background. During post-production - this background is filled in with an image thr






48. The space between the camera and subject it is filming.






49. Exposed and developed film stock from which the master positive is struck. If projected - the negative would produce a reverse of the image - with dark areas appearing white and vice versa or - if color film - areas of color appearing as their comple






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







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