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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. Sound recorded on a set - on location - or - for documentary film - at an actual real-world event - as opposed to dubbed in post-production through ADR or looping






2. Leaving the silver grains in the emulsion rather than bleaching them out - which produces desaturated color






3. 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






4. 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






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






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






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






8. A relatively long - uninterrupted sot - generally of a minute or more






9. A term describing a conclusion that does not answer all the questions raised regarding characters or storylines - nor tie up all loose ends






10. Assists the editor with various tasks - including taking footage to the lab - checking the condition of the negative - cataloguing footage - and supervising optical effects - often produced by an outside company






11. 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.'






12. Dense accumulation of detail conveyed in the opening moments of a film






13. Assists the gaffer in managing lighting crews






14. A cinematography technique that produces an image with many planes of depth in focus. It can be accomplished by using a small aperture - a large distance between camera and subject - and/or a lens of short focal length






15. The arrangement of images to depict a unified storyline






16. The annotated script - containing information about set-ups used during shooting






17. The written blueprint for a film - composed of three elements: dialogue - sluglines (setting the place and time of each scene) - and description. Feature-length screenplays typically run 90-130 pages






18. 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






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






20. The selection and ordering of narrative events presented in a film






21. 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






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






23. An alternative to continuity editing - this style of editing was developed in silent Soviet cinema - based on the theory that editing should exploit the difference between shots to generate intellectual and emotional responses in the audience






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






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






26. An early color process - involving bathing lengths of processed film in dye one scene at a time






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






28. An alternative to classical and realist styles - formalism is a self-consciously interventionist approach that explores ideas - abstraction - and aesthetics rather than focusing on storytelling (as in classical films) or everyday life (as in realist






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






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






31. A group of films within a given genre that share their own specific set of conventions that differentiate them from other films in the genre. For example - the slasher film is a subgenre of the horror genre






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






33. The width of the film stock - measured across the frame. Typical sizes are 8mm - 16mm - 35mm - and 70mm






34. The artful use of light and dark areas in the composition in black and white filmmaking






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






36. The visual arrangement of objects - actors - and space within the frame






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






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






39. Louis Althusser's term for the way in which a society creates its subjects/citizens through ideological (as opposed to repressive) state apparatuses - which include education - media - religion - and the family






40. An alternative to classical and realist styles - formalism is a self-consciously interventionist approach that explores ideas - abstraction - and aesthetics rather than focusing on storytelling (as in classical films) or everyday life (as in realist






41. A system initially developed for marketing films by creating and promoting stars as objects of admiration. The promotion of stars has now become an end in itself






42. 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






43. The plotline that surrounds an embedded tale. The frame narration may or may not be as fully developed as the embedded tale






44. A camera device that opens and closes to regulate the length of time the film is exposed to light






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






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






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






48. 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






49. Leaving the silver grains in the emulsion rather than bleaching them out - which produces desaturated color






50. An optical effect whereby the human eye fills in gaps between closely spaced objects - so that two light bulbs flashing on and off are understood as one light moving back and forth