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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 practice or repeatedly casting actors in similar roles across different films






2. A pan executed so quickly that it produces a blurred image - indicated rapid activity or - sometimes - the passage of time






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






4. 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






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






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






7. The plotline that surrounds an embedded tale. The frame narration may or may not be as fully developed as the embedded tale






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






9. A system for recording images on magnetic tape using a digital signal - that is - an electronic signal comprised of 0s and 1s






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






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






12. Natural light; The process of suing sunlight rather than artificial studio lights when filming






13. A screenplay written and submitted to a studio or production company without a prior contract or agreement






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






15. Processes such as Cinemascope and Cinerama - developed during the 1950s to enhance film's size advantage over the smaller television image






16. A chemical coating on film stock containing light-sensitive grains






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






18. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






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






20. A technique of underdeveloping exposed film stock (leaving it in a chemical batch a shorter amount of time than usual) in order to achieve the visual effect of reducing contrast






21. 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






22. A shot that depicts a human body from the feet up






23. A shot that focuses audience attention on precise details that may or may not be the focus of characters






24. A property of older television monitors - where each frame was scanned as two fields: One consisting of all the odd numbered lines - the other all the even lines. If slowed down - the television image would appear to sweep down the screen one line at






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






26. The technique of telling the story from an all-knowing character. Films that use restricted narration limit the audience's perception to what one particular character knows - but may insert moments of omniscience






27. A measure of a film stock's sensitivity to light. 'Fast' refers to sensitive film stock - while slow film is relatively insensitive






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






29. 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






30. 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






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






32. Individuals who were prevented from working in the film industry because of their suspected involvement with Communist interests






33. The period after principal photography during which editing and looping take place - and special visual effects are added to the film






34. The technique of telling the story from an all-knowing character. Films that use restricted narration limit the audience's perception to what one particular character knows - but may insert moments of omniscience






35. The first print made from a film negative






36. An uncredited actor - usually hired for crowd scenes






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






38. 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






39. 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






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






41. 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






42. 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






43. 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






44. A technique of moving a zoom lens from a wide-angle position to a telephoto position - which results in a magnification of the subject within the frame - and keeps the subject in focus






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






46. A widescreen process that uses three cameras - three projectors - and a wide - curved screen






47. A videotape system that records images onto magnetic tape - using electronic signals






48. 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






49. Public identity created by marketing a film actor's performances - press coverage - and 'personal' information to fans as the star's personality






50. The camera does not move across an imagined line drawn between two characters