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 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






2. The distance that appears in focus in front of and behind the subject. It is determined by the aperture - distance and focal length of lens






3. 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






4. An early color process - involving bathing lengths of processed film in dye one scene at a time






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






6. The distance that appears in focus in front of and behind the subject. It is determined by the aperture - distance and focal length of lens






7. Any noticeable but unintended discrepancy from one shot to the next in costume - props - hairstyle - posture - etc.






8. Natural light; The process of suing sunlight rather than artificial studio lights when filming






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






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






11. An alternative to classical and realist styles - formalism is a self-consciously interventionist approach that explores ideas - abstraction - and aesthetics rather than focusing on storytelling (as in classical films) or everyday life (as in realist






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






13. The imagined world of the story






14. 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






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






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






17. 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






18. A crew member responsible for logging the details of each take on the set so as to ensure continuity






19. A glass element on a camera that focuses light rays so that the image of the object appears on the surface of the film






20. A style associated with Hollywood filmmaking of the studio and post-studio era - in which efficient storytelling - rather than gritty realism or aesthetic innovation - is of paramount importance






21. A type of matte shot - created by positioning a pane of optically flawless glass with a painting on it between the camera and the scene to be photographed. This combines the painting on the glass with the set or location - seen through the glass - be






22. A scene transition wherein sound from one scene bleeds over into the ext scene - often resulting in a contrast between sound image






23. 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






24. A shot taken from a camera position below the subject






25. A single take that contains an entire scene






26. The measure of intensity or purity of a color. Saturated color is purer than desaturated color - which has more white in it and thus offers a washed-out - less intense version of a color






27. 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






28. A lens with a variable focal length that allows changes of focal length while keeping the subject in focus






29. The space between the camera and subject it is filming.






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






31. Secondary footage that is interspersed with master shots - sometimes in the form of footage shot for another production or archival footage






32. A technique of depicting two layered images simultaneously. Images from one frame or several frames of film are added to pre-existing images - using an optical printer - to produce the same effect as a double exposure






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






34. A shot taken from a vantage point so close that only a part of the subject is visible. On an actor - it might show only an eye or a portion of the face






35. A technique of manipulating focus to direct the viewer's attention






36. A technique of moving a zoom lens from a wide-angle position to a telephoto position - which results in a magnification of the subject within the frame - and keeps the subject in focus






37. Public identity created by marketing a film actor's performances - press coverage - and 'personal' information to fans as the star's personality






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






39. A style associated with Hollywood filmmaking of the studio and post-studio era - in which efficient storytelling - rather than gritty realism or aesthetic innovation - is of paramount importance






40. 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






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






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






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






44. A narrative moment that signals an important shift of some kind in character or situation






45. The falling or unraveling action after the climax of a narrative that leads to resolution






46. The falling or unraveling action after the climax of a narrative that leads to resolution






47. 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






48. An alternative to classical and realist styles - formalism is a self-consciously interventionist approach that explores ideas - abstraction - and aesthetics rather than focusing on storytelling (as in classical films) or everyday life (as in realist






49. A specialist who monitors the processing of color on the se and in the film lab






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