Test your basic knowledge |

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 technique of manipulating focus to direct the viewer's attention






2. A technique of exposing film frames - then rewinding the film and exposing it again - which results in an image that combines two shots in a single frame






3. A shot that contains two characters within the frame






4. 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






5. The first step in the process of creating CGI. The wireframe is a three-dimensional computer model of an object - which is then rendered (producing the finished image) and animated (using simulated camera movement frame by frame)






6. Devices that attach to actors' faces and/or bodies to change their appearance






7. A cinematography technique that produces an image with many planes of depth in focus. It can be accomplished by using a small aperture - a large distance between camera and subject - and/or a lens of short focal length






8. The building block of a scene; an uninterrupted sequence of frames that viewers experience as they watch a film - ending with a cut - fade - dissolve - etc. See also Take






9. 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






10. Assists the gaffer in managing lighting crews






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






12. 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






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






14. A narrative approach that limits the audience's view of events to that of the main character(s) in the film. Occasional moments of omniscient narration may give viewers more information than the character shave at specific points in the narrative






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






16. An uncredited actor - usually hired for crowd scenes






17. The person in charge of planning the style and look of the film with the production designer and director of photography - working with actors during principal photography - and collaborating with the editor on the final version






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






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






20. 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






21. 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






22. 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






23. 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






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






25. A description of film stock that is highly sensitive to light






26. A platform on wheels - used for mobile camera shots






27. A relatively long - uninterrupted sot - generally of a minute or more






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






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 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






31. 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






32. A pan executed so quickly that it produces a blurred image - indicated rapid activity or - sometimes - the passage of time






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






34. A style of Japanese animation - distinguished primarily by the fact that it is not all geared for young audiences






35. A post-studio era Hollywood film designed to appeal to the broadest possible audience by fusing a simple story line with major movie stars and mounting a lavish marketing campaign






36. A style of stage acting developed from the teachings of Constantin Stanislavsky - which trains actors to get into character through the use of emotional memory






37. A mental phenomenon by which viewers derive more meaning from the interaction of two sequential shots than from a single shot in isolation






38. 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






39. 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






40. An early color process that replaced silver halide grains with colored salts






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






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






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






44. Experimental film; Underground cinema;






45. A shot that depicts a human body from the feet up






46. A shot transition where shot A slowly disappears as the screen becomes black before shot B appears. A fade-in is the reverse of this process






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






48. Creating an image by combining several elements created separately using computer graphics rather than photographic means






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






50. A character who in some way opposes the protagonist - leading to protracted conflict