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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 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






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






3. A shot that appears during or near the end of a scene and reorients viewers to the setting






4. 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






5. A story; a chain of events linked by cause-and-effect logic






6. The distance in millimeters from the optical center of a lens to the lane where the sharpest image is formed while focusing on a distant object






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






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






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






10. A shot taken from a vantage point so close that only a part of the subject is visible. On an actor - it might show only an eye or a portion of the face






11. A series of individual drawings that provides a blueprint for the shooting of a scene






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






13. Fish-eye lens; With a focal length of 15mm or less - this lens presents an extremely distorted image - where objects in the center of the frame appear to bulge toward the camera






14. A film style that - in contrast to the classical and formalist styles - focuses characters - place - and the spontaneity and digressiveness of life - rather than on highly structured stories or aesthetic abstraction






15. An efficient system developed for film lighting. In a standard lighting set-up - the key light illuminates the subject - the fill light eliminates shadows cast by the key light - and the back light separates the subject from the background






16. A contemporary modification of the standard three-act structure that identifies a critical turning point at the halfway mark of most narrative films






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






18. The five vertically integrated corporations that exerted the greatest control over film production in the studio era: MGM - Warner Brothers - RKO - Twentieth Century Fox - and Paramount






19. Filters that increase color saturation and contrast in outdoor shots






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






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






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






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






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






25. An action film cycle of the late 1960s and early 1970s that featured bold - rebellious African American characters






26. Wheeled platform with wheels that rotate - so the dolly can change direction






27. A shot taken from a camera mounted on a crane that moves three-dimensionally in a space






28. Reels of film that are shipped to movie theaters for exhibition. Digital cinema - which can be distributed via satellite - broadband - or on media such as DVDs - may soon replace film prints because the latter are expensive to create - copy - and dis






29. A technique of depicting two layered images simultaneously. Images from one frame or several frames of film are added to pre-existing images - using an optical printer - to produce the same effect as a double exposure






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






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






32. Louis Althusser's term for the way in which a society creates its subjects/citizens through ideological (as opposed to repressive) state apparatuses - which include education - media - religion - and the family






33. 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






34. A technique of 'pushing' the film (overdeveloping it) to correct problems of underexposure (resulting from insufficient light during shooting) by increasing image contrast






35. A person responsible for putting a film together from a mass of developed footage - making decisions regarding pace - shot transitions - and which scenes and shots will be used






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






37. Optical illusions created during production - including the use of matte paintings - glass shots - models - and prosthesis






38. 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






39. Any noticeable but unintended discrepancy from one shot to the next in costume - props - hairstyle - posture - etc.






40. A small - variable opening on a camera lens that regulates the amount of light entering the camera and striking the surface of the film






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






42. 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






43. A shot that interrupts a scene's master shot and may include character reactions






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






45. A type of film stock that is sensitive to (in other words - registers) all tones in the color spectrum






46. Lighting design that provides an even illumination of the subject - with many facial details washed out. High-key lighting tends to create a hopeful mood - in contrast to low-key lighting






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






48. 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






49. A technique of manipulating focus to direct the viewer's attention






50. The distance in millimeters from the optical center of a lens to the lane where the sharpest image is formed while focusing on a distant object