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. 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. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






3. Standard shot pattern: A sequence of shots designed to maintain spatial continuity. Scene begin with an establishing shot - then move to a series of individual shots depicting characters and action - before reestablishing shots re-orient viewers to t






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






5. The first print made from a film negative






6. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






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






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






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






10. A machine used to create optical effects such as fades - dissolves - and superimpositions. Most are now created digitally






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






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






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






14. 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






15. Materials intentionally released by studios to attract public attention to films and their stars. Promotion differs from publicity - which is information that is not (or does not appear to be) intentionally disseminated by studios






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






17. Light emitted from a larger source that is scattered over a bigger area or reflected off a surface before it strikes the subject. Soft light minimizes facial details - including wrinkles






18. Filters that increase color saturation and contrast in outdoor shots






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






20. An animation technique that uses a computer program to interpolate frames to produce the effect of an object or creature changing gradually into something different. The program calculates the way the image must change in order for the first image to






21. An abrupt shot transition that occurs when Shot A is instantaneously replaced by Shot B.






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






23. The chip in a video camera that converts the incoming light to an electronic signal






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






25. 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






26. An animation technique that uses a computer program to interpolate frames to produce the effect of an object or creature changing gradually into something different. The program calculates the way the image must change in order for the first image to






27. A change of focus from one plane of depth to another. As the in-focus subject goes out of focus - another object - which has been blurry - comes into focus in either the background or the foreground






28. 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






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






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






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






32. The length in minutes for a film to play in its entirety (for example - 120 minutes). Also referred to as 'screen time.'






33. 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






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






35. 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






36. A shot taken from a camera mounted on a crane that moves three-dimensionally in a space






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






38. Muted - washed out color that contains more white than a saturated color






39. Assists the gaffer in managing lighting crews






40. 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






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






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






43. A shot transition that emphasizes the visual similarities between two consecutive shots






44. A shot that contains two characters within the frame






45. Materials intentionally released by studios to attract public attention to films and their stars. Promotion differs from publicity - which is information that is not (or does not appear to be) intentionally disseminated by studios






46. The details of a character's past that emerge as the film unfolds - and which often play a role in character motivation






47. 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






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






49. A chemical embedded in the emulsion layer of film stock that - when developed after exposure - releases a particular color dye (red - green - or blue)






50. An efficient system developed for film lighting. In a standard lighting set-up - the key light illuminates the subject - the fill light eliminates shadows cast by the key light - and the back light separates the subject from the background