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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 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






2. A visual effect achieved through the use of photography and digital techniques that appears to stop time and allow the viewer to travel around the subject and view it from a multitude of vantage points






3. 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






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






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






6. 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






7. 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






8. An optical effect whereby the eye continues to register a visual stimulus in the brain for a brief period after that stimulus has been removed






9. 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






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






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






12. 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






13. 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






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






15. A shot taken from a camera mounted on a crane that moves three-dimensionally in a space






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






17. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






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






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






20. A sound editing technique that links several scenes through parallel and overlapping sounds. Each sound is associated with one scene - unlike a sound bridge - where a sound from one scene bleeds into that of another






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






22. A system for combining two separately filmed images in the same frame that involves create a matte (a black mask that covers a portion of the image) for a live action sequence and using it to block out a portion of the frame when filming the backgrou






23. 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






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






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






26. A shot that contains two characters within the frame






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






28. 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






29. A type of filter that absorbs certain wavelength but leave others unaffected. On black and white film - color filters lighten or darken tones. On color film - they can produce a range of effects






30. A similarity established between two characters or situations that invites the audience to compare the two. It may involve visual - narrative - and/or sound elements






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






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






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






34. A camera device that opens and closes to regulate the length of time the film is exposed to light






35. The average length in seconds of a series of shots - covering a portion of a film or an entire film; a measure of pace within a scene or in the film as a whole.






36. A form of shot transition - generally concluding a scene - where a circular mask constricts around the image until the entire frame is black






37. An animation technique that uses a computer program to interpolate frames to produce the effect of an object or creature changing gradually into something different. The program calculates the way the image must change in order for the first image to






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






39. Light striking the emulsion layer of the film - activating light-sensitive grains






40. 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






41. A painting used on the set as a portion of the background






42. Materials intentionally released by studios to attract public attention to films and their stars. Promotion differs from publicity - which is information that is not (or does not appear to be) intentionally disseminated by studios






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






44. 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






45. Assists the editor with various tasks - including taking footage to the lab - checking the condition of the negative - cataloguing footage - and supervising optical effects - often produced by an outside company






46. An uncredited actor - usually hired for crowd scenes






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






48. An uncredited actor - usually hired for crowd scenes






49. Everything audiences hear when they watch a sound film. The soundtrack is the composite of all three elements of film sound: dialogue - music - and sound effects






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