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






2. A transparent sheet on which animation artists draw images.






3. An agreement made between filmmakers and those who license the use of commercial products to feature those products in films - generally as props used by characters






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






5. The measurement of how forgiving a film stock is. It determines whether an acceptable image will be produced when the film stock is exposed to too little or too much light






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






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






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






9. 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






10. 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






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






12. A scene transition in which the first frame of the incoming scene appears to push the last frame of the previous scene off the screen horizontally






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






14. A character who in some way opposes the protagonist - leading to protracted conflict






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






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






17. 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






18. 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






19. A method for producing a widescreen image without special lenses or equipment - using standard film stock and blocking out the top and bottom of the frame to achieve an aspect ration of 1.85:1






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






21. 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






22. 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






23. An uncredited actor - usually hired for crowd scenes






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






25. A direct vocal address to the audience - Which may emanate from a character or from a narrative voice apparently unrelated to the diegesis






26. 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






27. A shot taken fro a position directly above the action - also called a 'birds' eye shot'






28. 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






29. Early films that documented everyday events - such as workers leaving a factory






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






31. The individual arrangement of lighting and camera placement used for each shot






32. 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






33. 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






34. The camera should move at least 30 degrees any time there is a cut within a scene






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






36. A picture element - a measure of image density. There are approximately 18 million pixels in a frame of 35mm film and 300000-400000 in a video image






37. Glass filters whose surface is etched with spots that refract light - so they create the appearance of water droplets in the air






38. A shot taken fro a position directly above the action - also called a 'birds' eye shot'






39. A film that fuses the conventions of two or more genres






40. A change of focus from one plane of depth to another. As the in-focus subject goes out of focus - another object - which has been blurry - comes into focus in either the background or the foreground






41. A shot filmed from an airplane or helicopter






42. A business model adopted by the major studios during the Hollywood studio era - in which studios controlled all aspects of the film business - from production to distribution and exhibition






43. Cinema verite; a documentary style in which the filmmaker attempts to remain as unobtrusive as possible - recording without obvious editorial comment






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






45. 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






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






47. Dense accumulation of detail conveyed in the opening moments of a film






48. An abrupt shot transition that occurs when Shot A is instantaneously replaced by Shot B.






49. Devices that attach to actors' faces and/or bodies to change their appearance






50. A character who in some way opposes the protagonist - leading to protracted conflict