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






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






3. A videotape system that records images onto magnetic tape - using electronic signals






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






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






6. A small - variable opening on a camera lens that regulates the amount of light entering the camera and striking the surface of the film






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






8. 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






9. Light emitted from a relatively small source positioned close to the subject. It tends to be unflattering because it creates deep shadows and emphasizes surface imperfections






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






11. An attribute of newer television monitors - where each frame is scanned by the electron beam as a single field. If slowed down - each frame would appear on the monitor in its entirety on the screen - rather than line by line - as is the case with int






12. 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






13. 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






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






15. The person in charge of planning the style and look of the film with the production designer and director of photography - working with actors during principal photography - and collaborating with the editor on the final version






16. 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






17. The practice of shooting during the day but using filters and underexposure to create the illusion of nighttime






18. A device attached to the film camera that records videotape of what has been filmed - allowing the director immediate access to video footage






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






20. The individual arrangement of lighting and camera placement used for each shot






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






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






23. 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






24. A narrative - visual - or sound element that refers viewers to other films or works of art






25. A shot that interrupts a scene's master shot and may include character reactions






26. A device worn by a camera operator that holds the motion picture camera - allowing it glide smoothly through spaces unreachable by camera mounted on a crane or other apparatus






27. The measurement of how forgiving a film stock is. It determines whether an acceptable image will be produced when the film stock is exposed to too little or too much light






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






29. 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






30. Then Hollywood writers and directors cited for Contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with the House Committee on Un-American Activities' attempts to root out Communists in the film industry






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






32. 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






33. The central cause(s) behind a character's actions






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






35. A single take that contains an entire scene






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






37. 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.'






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






39. A device used to manipulate the amount and/or color of light entering the lens






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






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






42. A machine that converts film prints to videotape format






43. A chemical coating on film stock containing light-sensitive grains






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






45. 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






46. A device that projects photographs or footage onto glass so that images can be traced by hand to create animated images






47. Optical illusions created during post-production






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






49. 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






50. (Automatic dialogue replacement) recording synchronized dialogue in post-production - cutting several identical lengths of developed film and having actors record the dialogue repeatedly