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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. Secondary footage that is interspersed with master shots - sometimes in the form of footage shot for another production or archival footage






2. The reverse of Iris in: an iris expands outward until the next shot takes up the entire screen






3. 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






4. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






5. A sound editing technique that links several scenes through parallel and overlapping sounds. Each sound is associated with one scene - unlike a sound bridge - where a sound from one scene bleeds into that of another






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






7. A group of films within a given genre that share their own specific set of conventions that differentiate them from other films in the genre. For example - the slasher film is a subgenre of the horror genre






8. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






9. 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






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






11. The visual arrangement of objects - actors - and space within the frame






12. A crew member whose job is to measure the distance between the subject and the camera lens - marking the ring on the camera lens - and ensuring the ring is turned precisely so that the image is in focus






13. A digital technique developed by Industrial Light and Magic - which builds movement sequences from single frames of film






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






15. A short segment of film used to promote an upcoming release






16. Devices that attach to actors' faces and/or bodies to change their appearance






17. A complete narrative unit within a film - with its own beginning - middle - and end. Often scenes are unified - and distinguished from one another - by time and setting






18. 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






19. A term applied to film stock that is relatively insensitive to light. This stock will not yield acceptable images unless the amount of light can be carefully controlled






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






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






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






23. 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






24. A shot that contains two characters within the frame






25. 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






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






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






28. 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






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






30. A relatively long - uninterrupted sot - generally of a minute or more






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






32. 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






33. A single take that contains an entire scene






34. 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






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






36. A transparent sheet on which animation artists draw images.






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






38. The first print made from a film negative






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






40. A genre film that radically modifies accepted genre conventions for dramatic effect






41. Any lens with a focal length approximately equal to the diagonal of the frame. For 35mm filmmaking - a 35-50 mm lens does not distort the angle of vision or depth






42. A long shot in which the film frame resembles the proscenium arch of the stage - distancing the audience






43. Dense accumulation of detail conveyed in the opening moments of a film






44. A single take that contains an entire scene






45. 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






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






47. A part of the story world implied by visual or sound techniques rather than being revealed by the camera






48. 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.






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






50. Smaller corporations that did not own distribution and/or exhibition companies in the studio era - including Universal - Columbia - and United Artists