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. Optical illusions created during post-production






2. 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)






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






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






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






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






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






8. A film style that - in contrast to the classical and formalist styles - focuses characters - place - and the spontaneity and digressiveness of life - rather than on highly structured stories or aesthetic abstraction






9. A shot combining two kinds of movement: the camera tracks in toward the subject wile the lens zooms out






10. A shot that makes the human subject very small in relation to his or her environment. The entire figure from head to toe is onscreen and dwarfed by the surroundings






11. A musical accompaniment written specifically for a film






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






13. A technique of moving a zoom lens from a wide-angle position to a telephoto position - which results in a magnification of the subject within the frame - and keeps the subject in focus






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. A film that fuses the conventions of two or more genres






16. Author; A term popularized by French film critics and refers to film directors with their own distinctive style






17. 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






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






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






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






21. The imagined world of the story






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






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






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






25. 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






26. A series of individual drawings that provides a blueprint for the shooting of a scene






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






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






29. 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






30. A screenplay written and submitted to a studio or production company without a prior contract or agreement






31. A description of film stock that is highly sensitive to light






32. Lighting design that provides an even illumination of the subject - with many facial details washed out. High-key lighting tends to create a hopeful mood - in contrast to low-key lighting






33. A lens with a shorter focal length than a normal or telephoto lens (usually between 15-35mm). The subject appears smaller as a result - but the angle of vision is wider and an illusion is created of greater depth in the frame






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






35. A statement that asserts a judgment that a given film or group of films is good or bad - based on specific criteria - Which may or may not be stated






36. The chronological accounting of all events presented and suggested






37. 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






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






39. 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






40. An agreement made between filmmakers and those who license the use of commercial products to feature those products in films - generally as props used by characters






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






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






43. 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






44. A type of film stock that is sensitive to (in other words - registers) all tones in the color spectrum






45. A rule in continuity editing - which dictates that if a cut occurs while a character is in the midst of an action - the subsequent shot must begin so that audiences see the completion of that action






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






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






48. A shot that depicts a human body from the feet up






49. A technique of exposing film frames - then rewinding the film and exposing it again - which results in an image that combines two shots in a single frame






50. 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