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






2. A documentary or occasionally - a narrative film that presents only one side of an argument or one approach to a subject






3. 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






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






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






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






7. 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






8. A single take that contains an entire scene






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






10. A crew member whose job is to maintain consistency in visual details from one shot to the next






11. A technique of arranging the actors on the set to take advantage of deep focus cinematography - which allows for many planes of depth in the film frame to remain in focus






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






13. Assists the gaffer in managing lighting crews






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






15. An animation technique that uses a computer program to interpolate frames to produce the effect of an object or creature changing gradually into something different. The program calculates the way the image must change in order for the first image to






16. 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






17. Light emitted from a larger source that is scattered over a bigger area or reflected off a surface before it strikes the subject. Soft light minimizes facial details - including wrinkles






18. The film medium's technological apparatus is inherently ideological






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






21. A business model adopted by the major studios during the Hollywood studio era - in which studios controlled all aspects of the film business - from production to distribution and exhibition






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






23. 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






24. A lens with a shorter focal length than a normal or telephoto lens (usually between 15-35mm). The subject appears smaller as a result - but the angle of vision is wider and an illusion is created of greater depth in the frame






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






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






27. The rules of character - setting - and narrative that films that belong to a genre - such as Westerns - horror films - and screwball comedies - generally obey.






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






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






30. 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






31. The chip in a video camera that converts the incoming light to an electronic signal






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






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






34. 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






35. A production term referring to coordinating actors' movements with lines of dialogue






36. 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






37. A story narrated by one of the characters within the story - using the 'I' voice






38. A term that refers to the organization of an industry wherein one type of corporation also owns corporations in allied industries - for example - film production and video games






39. The film medium's technological apparatus is inherently ideological






40. The practice or repeatedly casting actors in similar roles across different films






41. Also called 'rushes.' Footage exposed and developed quickly so that the director can assess the day's work






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






43. 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






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






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






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






47. A similarity established between two characters or situations that invites the audience to compare the two. It may involve visual - narrative - and/or sound elements






48. Using computer graphics to 'build' structures connected to the actual architecture on set or location






49. An alternative to classical and realist styles - formalism is a self-consciously interventionist approach that explores ideas - abstraction - and aesthetics rather than focusing on storytelling (as in classical films) or everyday life (as in realist






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