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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 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






2. A term used for any narrative sound - or visual element not contained in the story world. Also called 'extradiegetic'






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






4. A shot transition that emphasizes the visual similarities between two consecutive shots






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






6. 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






7. A camera shot taken at a large distance from the subject. Using the human body as the subject - a long shot captures the entire human form






8. A camera shot taken at a large distance from the subject. Using the human body as the subject - a long shot captures the entire human form






9. An actor whose career rests on playing minor or secondary quirky characters rather than leading roles






10. A system of constructing and arranging buildings and objects on the set so that they diminish in size dramatically from foreground to background - which creates the illusion of depth






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






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






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






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






15. 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






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






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






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






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






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






21. Natural light; The process of suing sunlight rather than artificial studio lights when filming






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






23. A shot that makes the human subject very small in relation to his or her environment. The entire figure from head to toe is onscreen and dwarfed by the surroundings






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






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






26. A non-standard narrative organization that assumes 'day in the life' quality rather than the highly structured three-act or four part narrative - and that features loose or indirect cause-effect relationships






27. A statement that presents an argument about a film's meaning and significance






28. 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






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






30. 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






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. A shot that contains two characters within the frame






33. An effect created when more light is required to produce an image strakes the film stock - so that the resulting image exhibits high contrast - glaring light - and washed out shadows. This effect ma or may not be intentional on the filmmaker's part






34. Also called 'full screen -' the technique of re-shooting a widescreen film in order to convert it to the original television aspect ration of 1.33 to 1. Rather than reproduce the original aspect ratio - as a letterboxed version does - a panned and sc






35. A complete narrative unit within a film - with its own beginning - middle - and end. Often scenes are unified - and distinguished from one another - by time and setting






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






37. A standard shot pattern that dictates that a shot of one character will be followed by a shot of another character - taken from the reverse angle of the first shot






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






39. Any noticeable but unintended discrepancy from one shot to the next in costume - props - hairstyle - posture - etc.






40. The camera should move at least 30 degrees any time there is a cut within a scene






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






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






43. Assists the editor with various tasks - including taking footage to the lab - checking the condition of the negative - cataloguing footage - and supervising optical effects - often produced by an outside company






44. A shot taken fro a position directly above the action - also called a 'birds' eye shot'






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






46. 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






47. A device that projects photographs or footage onto glass so that images can be traced by hand to create animated images






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






49. Dialogue that restates What is already obvious from images or action






50. Optical illusions created during post-production