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






2. Literary narration from a viewpoint beyond that of any one individual character






3. A term for film stock used in early cinema that was insensitive to red hues






4. 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






5. A measure of the visual and sound quality of a film. Low-budget films tend to have lower production values because they lack the resources to devote to expensive pre- and post-production activities






6. 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)






7. A shot that appears during or near the end of a scene and reorients viewers to the setting






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






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






10. 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






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. Everything audiences hear when they watch a sound film. The soundtrack is the composite of all three elements of film sound: dialogue - music - and sound effects






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






14. 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






15. A scene transition in which the first frame of the incoming scene appears to push the last frame of the previous scene off the screen horizontally






16. The use of editing techniques - such as a fade or dissolve - to indicate the end of one scene and the beginning of another






17. A production crew responsible not for shooting the primary footage but - instead - for remote location shooting and B-roll. See also B-roll






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






19. A shot that includes a human figure from the shoulders up






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






21. A term applied to film stock that is relatively insensitive to light. This stock will not yield acceptable images unless the amount of light can be carefully controlled






22. Processes such as Cinemascope and Cinerama - developed during the 1950s to enhance film's size advantage over the smaller television image






23. 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






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






25. The aspect ratio of 1.33:1 - standardized by the Academy of Motion Picture Art and Sciences until the development of widescreen formats in the 1950s






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






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






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






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






30. Light striking the emulsion layer of the film - activating light-sensitive grains






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






32. An uncredited actor - usually hired for crowd scenes






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






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






35. 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






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






37. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






38. Also called 'full screen -' the technique of re-shooting a widescreen film in order to convert it to the original television aspect ration of 1.33 to 1. Rather than reproduce the original aspect ratio - as a letterboxed version does - a panned and sc






39. Experimental film; Underground cinema;






40. 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






41. Everything audiences hear when they watch a sound film. The soundtrack is the composite of all three elements of film sound: dialogue - music - and sound effects






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






43. A painting used on the set as a portion of the background






44. A method for producing a widescreen image without special lenses or equipment - using standard film stock and blocking out the top and bottom of the frame to achieve an aspect ration of 1.85:1






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






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






47. A crew member responsible for logging the details of each take on the set so as to ensure continuity






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. 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






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