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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. 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






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






3. A technique of moving from the telephoto position to the wide-angle position of a zoom lens - which results in the subject appearing to become smaller within the frame - while remaining in focus






4. Also called 'd-cinema.' Not to be confused with digital cinematography (shooting movies on digital video) - this term refers to using digital technologies for exhibition






5. A type of matte shot - created by positioning a pane of optically flawless glass with a painting on it between the camera and the scene to be photographed. This combines the painting on the glass with the set or location - seen through the glass - be






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






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






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






9. 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






10. Fish-eye lens; With a focal length of 15mm or less - this lens presents an extremely distorted image - where objects in the center of the frame appear to bulge toward the camera






11. A compositing method that allows cinematographers to combine live action and settings that are filmed or created separately. Actors are filmed against a green or blue background. During post-production - this background is filled in with an image thr






12. A lens with a focal length greater than 50 mm (usually between 80mm and 20mm) - which provides a larger image of the subject than a normal or wide-angle lens but which narrows the angle of vision and flattens the depth of the image relative to normal






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






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






15. Thin - flexible material comprised of base and emulsion layers - onto which light rays are focused and which is processed in chemicals to produce film images






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






17. The horizontal turning movement of an otherwise immobile camera across a scene from left to right or vice versa






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






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






20. An outlawed studio era practice - where studios forced exhibitors to book groups of films at once - thus ensuring a market for their failures along with their successes






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






22. An unstated meaning that underlies and is implied by spoken dialogue






23. 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






24. 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






25. The practice of Hollywood studios contracting out post-production work to individuals or firms outside the U.S.






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






27. A shot taken from a camera position above the subject - looking down at it






28. A technique of depicting two layered images simultaneously. Images from one frame or several frames of film are added to pre-existing images - using an optical printer - to produce the same effect as a double exposure






29. Optical illusions created during production - including the use of matte paintings - glass shots - models - and prosthesis






30. 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






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






32. A short documentary on current events - show in movie theaters along with cartoons and feature films beginning in the 1930s






33. Also called 'd-cinema.' Not to be confused with digital cinematography (shooting movies on digital video) - this term refers to using digital technologies for exhibition






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






35. 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






36. A technique of running the motion picture camera at a speed slower than projection speed (24 frames per second) - in order to produce at a fast motion sequence when projected at normal speed. The term derives from early film cameras - which were cran






37. A character who in some way opposes the protagonist - leading to protracted conflict






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






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






40. The camera should move at least 30 degrees any time there is a cut within a scene






41. A technique of running the motion picture camera at a speed slower than projection speed (24 frames per second) - in order to produce at a fast motion sequence when projected at normal speed. The term derives from early film cameras - which were cran






42. A type of filter that absorbs certain wavelength but leave others unaffected. On black and white film - color filters lighten or darken tones. On color film - they can produce a range of effects






43. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






44. A format that uses a larger film stock than standard 35mm. IMAX - Omnimax - and Showscan are shot on 70mm film






45. A lens with a variable focal length that allows changes of focal length while keeping the subject in focus






46. 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






47. 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.'






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






49. The average length in seconds of a series of shots - covering a portion of a film or an entire film; a measure of pace within a scene or in the film as a whole.






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