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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. 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






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






3. A crew member who reports to the Director of Photography (DP) and is in charge of tasks involving lighting and electrical needs






4. 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.






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






6. 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






7. Muted - washed out color that contains more white than a saturated color






8. A shot taken when the camera is so close to a subject that it fills the frame. It is most commonly used for a shot that isolates and encompasses a single actor's face - to emphasize the expression of emotion






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






10. An optical effect whereby the human eye fills in gaps between closely spaced objects - so that two light bulbs flashing on and off are understood as one light moving back and forth






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






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






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






14. 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






15. Leaving the silver grains in the emulsion rather than bleaching them out - which produces desaturated color






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






17. A chemical embedded in the emulsion layer of film stock that - when developed after exposure - releases a particular color dye (red - green - or blue)






18. Film productions shot outside the U.S. for economic reasons






19. 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






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






21. Exposed and developed film stock from which the master positive is struck. If projected - the negative would produce a reverse of the image - with dark areas appearing white and vice versa or - if color film - areas of color appearing as their comple






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






23. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






24. A technique in which the audience temporarily shares the visual perspective of a character or a group of characters. The camera points in the directions the character looks - simulating the character's field of vision






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






26. A rule in continuity editing - which dictates that if a cut occurs while a character is in the midst of an action - the subsequent shot must begin so that audiences see the completion of that action






27. Creating the appearance of movement by drawing a series of frames that are projected sequentially - rather than photographing a series of still images






28. Sound design that blends the speech of several characters talking simultaneously - used to create spontaneity - although it may also confuse the audience






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






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






31. The classical model of narrative form. The first act introduces characters and conflicts; the second act offers complication leading to a climax; the third act contains the danouement and resolution






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






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






34. A chemical embedded in the emulsion layer of film stock that - when developed after exposure - releases a particular color dye (red - green - or blue)






35. 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






36. Creating images during post-production by joining together photographic or CGI material shot or created at different times and places






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






38. A system initially developed for marketing films by creating and promoting stars as objects of admiration. The promotion of stars has now become an end in itself






39. The imagined world of the story






40. 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






41. 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






42. Lighting design where the key light is somewhat more intense than the fill light - so the fill does not eliminate every shadow. The effect is generally less cheerful than high-key lighting - but not as gloomy as low-key lighting






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






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






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






46. A statement that asserts a judgment that a given film or group of films is good or bad - based on specific criteria - Which may or may not be stated






47. 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






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






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






50. A device worn by a camera operator that holds the motion picture camera - allowing it glide smoothly through spaces unreachable by camera mounted on a crane or other apparatus