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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 small - variable opening on a camera lens that regulates the amount of light entering the camera and striking the surface of the film






2. A technique of overdeveloping exposed film stock (leaving it in the chemical bath longer than indicated) in order to increase density and contrast in the image






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






4. A shot in a sequence that is taken from the reverse angle of the shot previous to it






5. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






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






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






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






9. A story; a chain of events linked by cause-and-effect logic






10. 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






11. A vertical - up-and-down - motion of an otherwise stationary camera






12. 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






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






14. 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






15. 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.






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






17. 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






18. 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






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






20. The period after principal photography during which editing and looping take place - and special visual effects are added to the film






21. A shot taken from a level camera located approximately 5' to 6' from the ground - simulating the perspective of a person standing before the action presented






22. The classical model of narrative form. The first act introduces characters and conflicts; the second act offers complication leading to a climax; the third act contains the danouement and resolution






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






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






25. 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






26. A device attached to the film camera that records videotape of what has been filmed - allowing the director immediate access to video footage






27. A single take that contains an entire scene






28. 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






29. A term that refers to the organization of an industry wherein one type of corporation also owns corporations in allied industries - for example - film production and video games






30. The visual arrangement of objects - actors - and space within the frame






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






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






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






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






35. 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






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






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






38. A long shot in which the film frame resembles the proscenium arch of the stage - distancing the audience






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






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






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






42. A crew member whose job is to measure the distance between the subject and the camera lens - marking the ring on the camera lens - and ensuring the ring is turned precisely so that the image is in focus






43. A film composed entirely of footage from other films.






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






45. Fish-eye lens; With a focal length of 15mm or less - this lens presents an extremely distorted image - where objects in the center of the frame appear to bulge toward the camera






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






47. 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






48. An attribute of newer television monitors - where each frame is scanned by the electron beam as a single field. If slowed down - each frame would appear on the monitor in its entirety on the screen - rather than line by line - as is the case with int






49. A shot taken by a camera that is held manually rather than supported by a tripod - crane or Steadicam. Generally - such shots are shaky - owing to the motion of the camera operator






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