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






2. A type of short film that blends elements of documentary and avant-garde film to document and often to celebrate the wonder of the modern city






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






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






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






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






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






8. A statement that presents an argument about a film's meaning and significance






9. A form of shot transition - generally concluding a scene - where a circular mask constricts around the image until the entire frame is black






10. A term describing a conclusion that does not answer all the questions raised regarding characters or storylines - nor tie up all loose ends






11. A production term denoting a single uninterrupted series of frames exposed by a motion picture or video camera between the time it is turned on and the time it is turned off. Filmmakers shoot several takes of any scene and the film editor selects the






12. A musical film in which each song and dance number is narratively motivated by a plot that situates characters in performance contexts






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






14. A shot taken when the camera is so close to a subject that it fills the frame. It is most commonly used for a shot that isolates and encompasses a single actor's face - to emphasize the expression of emotion






15. A shot in a sequence that is taken from the reverse angle of the shot previous to it






16. A filter that creates points of light that streak outward from a light source






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






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






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






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






21. A vertical - up-and-down - motion of an otherwise stationary camera






22. 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






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






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






25. A specialist who monitors the processing of color on the se and in the film lab






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






27. A shot filmed from an airplane or helicopter






28. 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






29. 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.






30. A film composed entirely of footage from other films.






31. Live action is filmed in front of a blue screen and a matte. It's then joined with the background footage






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






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






34. The written blueprint for a film - composed of three elements: dialogue - sluglines (setting the place and time of each scene) - and description. Feature-length screenplays typically run 90-130 pages






35. A technique used to join live action with a pre-recorded background image. A projector is placed behind a screen and projects an image onto it. Actors stand in front of the screen and the camera records them in front of the projected background






36. Sound recorded on a set - on location - or - for documentary film - at an actual real-world event - as opposed to dubbed in post-production through ADR or looping






37. A non-standard narrative organization that assumes 'day in the life' quality rather than the highly structured three-act or four part narrative - and that features loose or indirect cause-effect relationships






38. Live action is filmed in front of a blue screen and a matte. It's then joined with the background footage






39. A film that fuses the conventions of two or more genres






40. A shot taken from a camera position below the subject






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






42. A form of shot transition - generally concluding a scene - where a circular mask constricts around the image until the entire frame is black






43. A camera shot taken at a large distance from the subject. Using the human body as the subject - a long shot captures the entire human form






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






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






46. The imagined world of the story






47. A shot that makes the human subject very small in relation to his or her environment. The entire figure from head to toe is onscreen and dwarfed by the surroundings






48. Cinema verite; a documentary style in which the filmmaker attempts to remain as unobtrusive as possible - recording without obvious editorial comment






49. 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






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