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 narrative - visual - or sound element that refers viewers to other films or works of art






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






3. Smaller corporations that did not own distribution and/or exhibition companies in the studio era - including Universal - Columbia - and United Artists






4. A digital technique developed by Industrial Light and Magic - which builds movement sequences from single frames of film






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






6. A format that uses a larger film stock than standard 35mm. IMAX - Omnimax - and Showscan are shot on 70mm film






7. 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






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






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






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






11. 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






12. 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.






13. A black masking device used to black out a portion of the frame - usually for the insertion of other images






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






15. 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






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






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






18. 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






19. 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






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






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






22. Sound recorded on a set - on location - or - for documentary film - at an actual real-world event - as opposed to dubbed in post-production through ADR or looping






23. A technician responsible for splicing and assembling the film negative to the editor's specifications






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






25. 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






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






27. Invisible editing; a system devised to minimize the audience's awareness of shot transitions - especially cuts - in order to improve the flow of the story and avoid interrupting the viewer's immersion it in






28. 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






29. 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






30. An uncredited actor - usually hired for crowd scenes






31. A technique of filming at a speed faster than projection - the projecting the footage at normal speed of 24 frames per second. Because fewer frames were recorded per second - the action appears to be speeded up






32. A class or type of film - such as the Western or the horror movie. They share narrative - visual - and/or sound conventions






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






34. An alternative to continuity editing - this style of editing was developed in silent Soviet cinema - based on the theory that editing should exploit the difference between shots to generate intellectual and emotional responses in the audience






35. An efficient system developed for film lighting. In a standard lighting set-up - the key light illuminates the subject - the fill light eliminates shadows cast by the key light - and the back light separates the subject from the background






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






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






38. 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






39. 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






40. These filters bend the light coming into lens - softening and blurring the image






41. Sound recorded on a set - on location - or - for documentary film - at an actual real-world event - as opposed to dubbed in post-production through ADR or looping






42. 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






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






44. A part of the story world implied by visual or sound techniques rather than being revealed by the camera






45. A fiction film (often a comedy) that uses documentary conventions on fictional rather than real-world subject matter






46. A black masking device used to black out a portion of the frame - usually for the insertion of other images






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






48. 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






49. Film productions shot outside the U.S. for economic reasons






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