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. An attribute of newer television monitors - where each frame is scanned by the electron beam as a single field. If slowed down - each frame would appear on the monitor in its entirety on the screen - rather than line by line - as is the case with int






2. 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.'






3. A crew member who works in post-production in a specially equipped studio to create the sounds of the story world - such as the shuffling of shoes on various surfaces for footsteps






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






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






6. The individual arrangement of lighting and camera placement used for each shot






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






8. A technique used to join live action with pre-recorded background images. A projector is aimed at a half-silvered mirror that reflects the background - which the camera records as being located behind the actors






9. The building block of a scene; an uninterrupted sequence of frames that viewers experience as they watch a film - ending with a cut - fade - dissolve - etc. See also Take






10. A small - variable opening on a camera lens that regulates the amount of light entering the camera and striking the surface of the film






11. A device attached to the film camera that records videotape of what has been filmed - allowing the director immediate access to video footage






12. The narrative path of the main or supporting characters - also called a plotline. Complex films may have several lines of action






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






14. The way an actor delivers a line of dialogue - including pauses - inflection - and emotion






15. 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






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






17. Exposed and developed film stock from which the master positive is struck. If projected - the negative would produce a reverse of the image - with dark areas appearing white and vice versa or - if color film - areas of color appearing as their comple






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






19. 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)






20. An uncredited actor - usually hired for crowd scenes






21. Prefogging; a cinematographic technique that exposes raw film stock to light before - during - or after shooting - resulting in an image with reduced contrast. This effect can also be created using digital post-production techniques






22. A specialist who monitors the processing of color on the se and in the film lab






23. A series of related scene joined through elliptical editing that indicates the passage of time






24. 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






25. An optical technique that divides the screen into two or more frames






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






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






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






30. Using computer graphics to 'build' structures connected to the actual architecture on set or location






31. The practice or repeatedly casting actors in similar roles across different films






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






33. A technique of recording very few images over a long period of time - say - one frame per minute or per day






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






35. 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.'






36. A business model adopted by the major studios during the Hollywood studio era - in which studios controlled all aspects of the film business - from production to distribution and exhibition






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






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






39. The person in charge of planning the style and look of the film with the production designer and director of photography - working with actors during principal photography - and collaborating with the editor on the final version






40. A standard shot pattern that dictates that a shot of one character will be followed by a shot of another character - taken from the reverse angle of the first shot






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






42. 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






43. The imagined world of the story






44. A non-standard narrative organization that assumes 'day in the life' quality rather than the highly structured three-act or four part narrative - and that features loose or indirect cause-effect relationships






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






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






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






48. The distance in millimeters from the optical center of a lens to the lane where the sharpest image is formed while focusing on a distant object






49. Any narrative - visual - or sound element that is repeated and thereby acquires and reflects its significance to the story - characters - or themes of the film.






50. 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