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






2. 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






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






4. Individuals who were prevented from working in the film industry because of their suspected involvement with Communist interests






5. The shape of the image onscreen as determined by the width of the frame relative to its height






6. Dutch angle; a shot resulting from a static camera that is tilted to the right or left - so that the subject in the frame appears at a diagonal






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






8. The camera does not move across an imagined line drawn between two characters






9. A type of documentary film whose purpose is to present the way of life of a culture or subculture






10. Creating images during post-production by joining together photographic or CGI material shot or created at different times and places






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






12. Standard shot pattern: A sequence of shots designed to maintain spatial continuity. Scene begin with an establishing shot - then move to a series of individual shots depicting characters and action - before reestablishing shots re-orient viewers to t






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






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






15. The first print made from a film negative






16. A technique of intentionally adding scratches in a film's emulsion layer for aesthetic purposes - such as to simulate home movie footage






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






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






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






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






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






22. The technique of telling the story from an all-knowing character. Films that use restricted narration limit the audience's perception to what one particular character knows - but may insert moments of omniscience






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






24. A statement that asserts a judgment that a given film or group of films is good or bad - based on specific criteria - Which may or may not be stated






25. Reels of film that are shipped to movie theaters for exhibition. Digital cinema - which can be distributed via satellite - broadband - or on media such as DVDs - may soon replace film prints because the latter are expensive to create - copy - and dis






26. 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






27. A neutral account of the basic plot and style of a film - a part of a film - or a group of films






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






29. Lighting design that provides an even illumination of the subject - with many facial details washed out. High-key lighting tends to create a hopeful mood - in contrast to low-key lighting






30. An optical technique that divides the screen into two or more frames






31. The rules of character - setting - and narrative that films that belong to a genre - such as Westerns - horror films - and screwball comedies - generally obey.






32. The arrangement of images to depict a unified storyline






33. 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






34. 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






35. 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






36. 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






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






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






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






40. A type of short film that blends elements of documentary and avant-garde film to document and often to celebrate the wonder of the modern city






41. The first print made from a film negative






42. 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






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






44. The written blueprint for a film - composed of three elements: dialogue - sluglines (setting the place and time of each scene) - and description. Feature-length screenplays typically run 90-130 pages






45. 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






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






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






48. 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






49. A lens with a focal length greater than 50 mm (usually between 80mm and 20mm) - which provides a larger image of the subject than a normal or wide-angle lens but which narrows the angle of vision and flattens the depth of the image relative to normal






50. 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