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






2. Suspended particles of silver in the film's emulsion - Which may become visible in the final image as dots






3. 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






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






5. An unstated meaning that underlies and is implied by spoken dialogue






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






7. 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






8. A filter that simply reduces the amount of light entering the lens - without affecting the color characteristics






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






10. 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






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






12. A term that refers to the organization of an industry wherein one type of corporation also owns corporations in allied industries - for example - film production and video games






13. 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






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






15. The first shot in a standard shot sequence. Its purpose is to provide a clear representation of the location of the action






16. 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






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






18. 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






19. 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






20. 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






21. A technique used to join live action with pre-recorded background images. A projector is aimed at a half-silvered mirror that reflects the background - which the camera records as being located behind the actors






22. 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






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






24. A computer-generated actor that some speculate will replace flesh and blood actors in the not so distant future






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






26. An effect created when too little light strikes the film during shooting. As a result the image will contain dark areas that appear very dense and dark (including shadows) and the overall contrast will be less than with a properly exposed image






27. 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






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






29. 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






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






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






32. 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






33. The length in minutes for a film to play in its entirety (for example - 120 minutes). Also referred to as 'screen time.'






34. The use of editing techniques - such as a fade or dissolve - to indicate the end of one scene and the beginning of another






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






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






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






38. Any lens with a focal length approximately equal to the diagonal of the frame. For 35mm filmmaking - a 35-50 mm lens does not distort the angle of vision or depth






39. A film style that emerged in the 1910s in Germany. It was heavily indebted to the Expressionist art movement of the time and influenced subsequent horror films and film noir






40. A short segment of film used to promote an upcoming release






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






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






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






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






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






46. Images that originate from computer graphics technology - rather than photography






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






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






49. A marketing strategy of screening a blockbuster prior to general release only in premier theaters






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