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






2. 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






3. A shot depicting the human body from the waist up






4. A short documentary on current events - show in movie theaters along with cartoons and feature films beginning in the 1930s






5. A film process that uses 35mm film stock but changes the orientation of the film so that the film moves through the camera horizontally instead of vertically. The larger image is of higher quality than standard 35mm processes






6. The horizontal turning movement of an otherwise immobile camera across a scene from left to right or vice versa






7. Recording images at a slower speed than the speed of projection (24 frames per second). Before cameras were motorized - this was called undercranking. Fewer frames are exposed in one minute - so - when projected at 24 f.p.s. - that action takes less






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






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






10. 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






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






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






13. 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






14. 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.






15. Also called 'stop motion photography.' A technique of photographing a scene one frame at a time and moving the model between each shot






16. A lens with a shorter focal length than a normal or telephoto lens (usually between 15-35mm). The subject appears smaller as a result - but the angle of vision is wider and an illusion is created of greater depth in the frame






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






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






19. The chip in a video camera that converts the incoming light to an electronic signal






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






21. A group of films within a given genre that share their own specific set of conventions that differentiate them from other films in the genre. For example - the slasher film is a subgenre of the horror genre






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






23. Then Hollywood writers and directors cited for Contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with the House Committee on Un-American Activities' attempts to root out Communists in the film industry






24. A device used to manipulate the amount and/or color of light entering the lens






25. The conclusion of the film wraps up - all loose ends in a form of resolution - though not necessarily with a happy ending.






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






27. A technique used to join live action with a pre-recorded background image. A projector is placed behind a screen and projects an image onto it. Actors stand in front of the screen and the camera records them in front of the projected background






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






29. 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






30. A short screen appearance by a celebrity - playing himself or herself






31. 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






32. Literary narration from a viewpoint beyond that of any one individual character






33. A shot transition that involves the gradual disappearance of the image at the same time that a new image gradually comes into view






34. A shot taken from a camera position above the subject - looking down at it






35. 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






36. 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






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






38. Using computer graphics to 'build' structures connected to the actual architecture on set or location






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






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






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






42. Also called 'rushes.' Footage exposed and developed quickly so that the director can assess the day's work






43. 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






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






45. 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






46. 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






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






48. A machine used to create optical effects such as fades - dissolves - and superimpositions. Most are now created digitally






49. A filter that creates points of light that streak outward from a light source






50. 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