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






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






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






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






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






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






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






8. The term for a film's spoken dialogue - as opposed to the underlying meaning contained in the subtext






9. A shot depicting the human body from the waist up






10. A rule in continuity editing - which dictates that if a cut occurs while a character is in the midst of an action - the subsequent shot must begin so that audiences see the completion of that action






11. 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.






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






13. A picture element - a measure of image density. There are approximately 18 million pixels in a frame of 35mm film and 300000-400000 in a video image






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






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






16. A film process that uses 35mm film stock but changes the orientation of the film so that the film moves through the camera horizontally instead of vertically. The larger image is of higher quality than standard 35mm processes






17. Creating images during post-production by joining together photographic or CGI material shot or created at different times and places






18. The imagined world of the story






19. A term that refers to the organization of an industry wherein one type of corporation also owns corporations in allied industries - for example - film production and video games






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






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






22. A crew member who reports to the Director of Photography (DP) and is in charge of tasks involving lighting and electrical needs






23. 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






24. The period of time before principal photography during which actors are signed - sets and costumes designed - and locations scouted






25. 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






26. 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






27. An actor whose career rests on playing minor or secondary quirky characters rather than leading roles






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






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






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






31. A technique in which the audience temporarily shares the visual perspective of a character or a group of characters. The camera points in the directions the character looks - simulating the character's field of vision






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






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






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






35. The first step in the process of creating CGI. The wireframe is a three-dimensional computer model of an object - which is then rendered (producing the finished image) and animated (using simulated camera movement frame by frame)






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






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






38. Assists the gaffer in managing lighting crews






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






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






41. A similarity established between two characters or situations that invites the audience to compare the two. It may involve visual - narrative - and/or sound elements






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






49. A widescreen process that uses three cameras - three projectors - and a wide - curved screen






50. 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