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






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






3. 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






4. A technique of recording very few images over a long period of time - say - one frame per minute or per day






5. 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






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






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






8. A class or type of film - such as the Western or the horror movie. They share narrative - visual - and/or sound conventions






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






10. 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






11. An alternative to continuity editing - this style of editing was developed in silent Soviet cinema - based on the theory that editing should exploit the difference between shots to generate intellectual and emotional responses in the audience






12. The non-chronological insertion of events from the past into the present day of the story world






13. A visual effect created when the subject in the frame is restricted by the objects or the physical properties of the set






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






15. Prefogging; a cinematographic technique that exposes raw film stock to light before - during - or after shooting - resulting in an image with reduced contrast. This effect can also be created using digital post-production techniques






16. The building block of a scene; an uninterrupted sequence of frames that viewers experience as they watch a film - ending with a cut - fade - dissolve - etc. See also Take






17. The arrangement of images to depict a unified storyline






18. Standard shot pattern: A sequence of shots designed to maintain spatial continuity. Scene begin with an establishing shot - then move to a series of individual shots depicting characters and action - before reestablishing shots re-orient viewers to t






19. 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






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






21. (Automatic dialogue replacement) recording synchronized dialogue in post-production - cutting several identical lengths of developed film and having actors record the dialogue repeatedly






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






23. A narrative approach that limits the audience's view of events to that of the main character(s) in the film. Occasional moments of omniscient narration may give viewers more information than the character shave at specific points in the narrative






24. The shape of the image onscreen as determined by the width of the frame relative to its height






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






26. 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






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






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






29. A narrative approach that limits the audience's view of events to that of the main character(s) in the film. Occasional moments of omniscient narration may give viewers more information than the character shave at specific points in the narrative






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






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






32. A process of transferring film to video tapes or DVDs so that the original aspect ratio of the film is preserved






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






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






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






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






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






38. Also called 'd-cinema.' Not to be confused with digital cinematography (shooting movies on digital video) - this term refers to using digital technologies for exhibition






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






40. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






41. A technique of shifting the camera angle - height - or distance to take into account the motion of actors or objects within the frame






42. 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






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






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






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






46. 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






47. A consistent style - theme - and subject matter developed over the course of a director's body of work






48. 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






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






50. Experimental film; Underground cinema;