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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 single take that contains an entire scene






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






3. 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






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






5. Any noticeable but unintended discrepancy from one shot to the next in costume - props - hairstyle - posture - etc.






6. Invisible editing; a system devised to minimize the audience's awareness of shot transitions - especially cuts - in order to improve the flow of the story and avoid interrupting the viewer's immersion it in






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






8. A property of older television monitors - where each frame was scanned as two fields: One consisting of all the odd numbered lines - the other all the even lines. If slowed down - the television image would appear to sweep down the screen one line at






9. 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)






10. 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






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






12. A style associated with Hollywood filmmaking of the studio and post-studio era - in which efficient storytelling - rather than gritty realism or aesthetic innovation - is of paramount importance






13. A shot taken from a level camera located approximately 5' to 6' from the ground - simulating the perspective of a person standing before the action presented






14. A short screen appearance by a celebrity - playing himself or herself






15. 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






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






17. 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






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






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






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






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






22. Public identity created by marketing a film actor's performances - press coverage - and 'personal' information to fans as the star's personality






23. A musical in which some or all musical numbers are not motivated by the narrative; for example - characters sing and dance throughout the film but at least some performances are not staged for an onscreen audience. Examples include Oklahoma - The umb






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






25. A part of the story world implied by visual or sound techniques rather than being revealed by the camera






26. A production term referring to coordinating actors' movements with lines of dialogue






27. Recording images at a slower speed than the speed of projection (24 frames per second). Before cameras were motorized - this was called undercranking. Fewer frames are exposed in one minute - so - when projected at 24 f.p.s. - that action takes less






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






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






30. The shape of the image onscreen as determined by the width of the frame relative to its height






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






32. A person responsible for putting a film together from a mass of developed footage - making decisions regarding pace - shot transitions - and which scenes and shots will be used






33. A crew member whose job is to maintain consistency in visual details from one shot to the next






34. The non-chronological insertion of scenes of events yet to happen into the present day of the story world






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






36. 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






37. The technique of telling the story from an all-knowing character. Films that use restricted narration limit the audience's perception to what one particular character knows - but may insert moments of omniscience






38. 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






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






40. 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






41. A film's main characters - one whose conflicts and motives drive the story forward






42. 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






43. 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.'






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






45. A marketing strategy of screening a blockbuster prior to general release only in premier theaters






46. A platform on wheels - used for mobile camera shots






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






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






49. Devices that attach to actors' faces and/or bodies to change their appearance






50. Images that originate from computer graphics technology - rather than photography