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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. Lighting design in which the greater intensity of the key light makes it impossible for the fill to eliminate shadows - producing a high-contrast image (with many grades of light and dark) - a number of shadows - and a somber mood






2. 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






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






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






5. Also called 'stop motion photography.' A technique of photographing a scene one frame at a time and moving the model between each shot






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






7. 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






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






9. Lighting design where the key light is somewhat more intense than the fill light - so the fill does not eliminate every shadow. The effect is generally less cheerful than high-key lighting - but not as gloomy as low-key lighting






10. A technique of underdeveloping exposed film stock (leaving it in a chemical batch a shorter amount of time than usual) in order to achieve the visual effect of reducing contrast






11. The practice or repeatedly casting actors in similar roles across different films






12. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






13. 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






14. A technique of running the motion picture camera at a speed slower than projection speed (24 frames per second) - in order to produce at a fast motion sequence when projected at normal speed. The term derives from early film cameras - which were cran






15. Materials intentionally released by studios to attract public attention to films and their stars. Promotion differs from publicity - which is information that is not (or does not appear to be) intentionally disseminated by studios






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






17. Also called 'd-cinema.' Not to be confused with digital cinematography (shooting movies on digital video) - this term refers to using digital technologies for exhibition






18. The film medium's technological apparatus is inherently ideological






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






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






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






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






23. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






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






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






26. The imagined world of the story






27. Recording images at a slower speed than the speed of projection (24 frames per second). Before cameras were motorized - this was called undercranking. Fewer frames are exposed in one minute - so - when projected at 24 f.p.s. - that action takes less






28. A screenplay written and submitted to a studio or production company without a prior contract or agreement






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






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






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






32. The use of editing techniques - such as a fade or dissolve - to indicate the end of one scene and the beginning of another






33. An effect created when too little light strikes the film during shooting. As a result the image will contain dark areas that appear very dense and dark (including shadows) and the overall contrast will be less than with a properly exposed image






34. Muted - washed out color that contains more white than a saturated color






35. A technique of cutting back and forth between action occurring in two different locations - which often creates the illusion that they are happening simultaneously. Also called 'cross cutting.'






36. Optical illusions created during production - including the use of matte paintings - glass shots - models - and prosthesis






37. The aspect ratio of 1.33:1 - standardized by the Academy of Motion Picture Art and Sciences until the development of widescreen formats in the 1950s






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






39. An abrupt - inexplicable shift in time and place of an action not signaled by an appropriate shot transition






40. 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






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






42. 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






43. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






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






45. 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






46. A film style that - in contrast to the classical and formalist styles - focuses characters - place - and the spontaneity and digressiveness of life - rather than on highly structured stories or aesthetic abstraction






47. A film that fuses the conventions of two or more genres






48. A machine used to create optical effects such as fades - dissolves - and superimpositions. Most are now created digitally






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






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