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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 process of blending the three elements of the sound track (dialogue - music - and effects) in post-production






2. A technique of recording very few images over a long period of time - say - one frame per minute or per day






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






4. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






5. Lighting design in which the greater intensity of the key light makes it impossible for the fill to eliminate shadows - producing a high-contrast image (with many grades of light and dark) - a number of shadows - and a somber mood






6. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






7. 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






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






9. 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






10. A type of film stock that is sensitive to (in other words - registers) all tones in the color spectrum






11. The space between the camera and subject it is filming.






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






13. The non-chronological insertion of events from the past into the present day of the story world






14. A shot that contains two characters within the frame






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






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






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






18. A shot taken from a vantage point so close that only a part of the subject is visible. On an actor - it might show only an eye or a portion of the face






19. The distance that appears in focus in front of and behind the subject. It is determined by the aperture - distance and focal length of lens






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






21. A style of Japanese animation - distinguished primarily by the fact that it is not all geared for young audiences






22. Reels of film that are shipped to movie theaters for exhibition. Digital cinema - which can be distributed via satellite - broadband - or on media such as DVDs - may soon replace film prints because the latter are expensive to create - copy - and dis






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






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






25. Dutch angle; a shot resulting from a static camera that is tilted to the right or left - so that the subject in the frame appears at a diagonal






26. The classical model of narrative form. The first act introduces characters and conflicts; the second act offers complication leading to a climax; the third act contains the danouement and resolution






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






28. A shot combining two kinds of movement: the camera tracks in toward the subject wile the lens zooms out






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






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






31. 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






32. Color. The strength of a hue is measured by its saturation or desaturation






33. A neutral account of the basic plot and style of a film - a part of a film - or a group of films






34. 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






35. 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






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






37. A series of individual drawings that provides a blueprint for the shooting of a scene






38. 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






39. A technique of manipulating focus to direct the viewer's attention






40. A type of documentary film whose purpose is to present the way of life of a culture or subculture






41. Creating the appearance of movement by drawing a series of frames that are projected sequentially - rather than photographing a series of still images






42. 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






43. A technique of manipulating focus to direct the viewer's attention






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






45. A technique of overdeveloping exposed film stock (leaving it in the chemical bath longer than indicated) in order to increase density and contrast in the image






46. A style of Japanese animation - distinguished primarily by the fact that it is not all geared for young audiences






47. An optical effect whereby the eye continues to register a visual stimulus in the brain for a brief period after that stimulus has been removed






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






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






50. Glass filters whose surface is etched with spots that refract light - so they create the appearance of water droplets in the air