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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 of running the motion picture camera at a speed slower than projection speed (24 frames per second) - in order to produce at a fast motion sequence when projected at normal speed. The term derives from early film cameras - which were cran






2. A style associated with Hollywood filmmaking of the studio and post-studio era - in which efficient storytelling - rather than gritty realism or aesthetic innovation - is of paramount importance






3. A glass element on a camera that focuses light rays so that the image of the object appears on the surface of the film






4. A standard shot pattern that dictates that a shot of one character will be followed by a shot of another character - taken from the reverse angle of the first shot






5. A technician responsible for splicing and assembling the film negative to the editor's specifications






6. 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






7. Literary narration from a viewpoint beyond that of any one individual character






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






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






10. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






11. A technique of leaving empty space around the subject in the frame - in order to covey openness and continuity of visible space and to imply offscreen space






12. The width of the film stock - measured across the frame. Typical sizes are 8mm - 16mm - 35mm - and 70mm






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






14. Creating an image by combining several elements created separately using computer graphics rather than photographic means






15. The selection and ordering of narrative events presented in a film






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






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






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






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






20. A term used for any narrative sound - or visual element not contained in the story world. Also called 'extradiegetic'






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






22. 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






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






24. A brief chronological description of the basic events and characters in a film. It does not include interpretive or evaluative claims






25. The use of editing techniques - such as a fade or dissolve - to indicate the end of one scene and the beginning of another






26. 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






27. 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






28. Non-diegetic; any element in the film that is not part of the imagined story world






29. Author; A term popularized by French film critics and refers to film directors with their own distinctive style






30. 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






31. 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






32. The horizontal turning movement of an otherwise immobile camera across a scene from left to right or vice versa






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






34. 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






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






36. A series of related scene joined through elliptical editing that indicates the passage of time






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






38. Invisible editing; a system devised to minimize the audience's awareness of shot transitions - especially cuts - in order to improve the flow of the story and avoid interrupting the viewer's immersion it in






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






40. A technique of moving the camera - on a specially built track. Such shots often trace character movement laterally across the frame or in and out of the depth of the frame






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






42. 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






43. A technique of cutting back and forth between action occurring in two different locations - which often creates the illusion that they are happening simultaneously. Also called 'cross cutting.'






44. A style of stage acting developed from the teachings of Constantin Stanislavsky - which trains actors to get into character through the use of emotional memory






45. Any narrative - visual - or sound element that is repeated and thereby acquires and reflects its significance to the story - characters - or themes of the film.






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






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






48. 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






49. A flexible celluloid strip that - along with the emulsion layer - comprises 35mm film stock






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