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. The first print made from a film negative






2. 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






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






4. (Automatic dialogue replacement) recording synchronized dialogue in post-production - cutting several identical lengths of developed film and having actors record the dialogue repeatedly






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






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






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






8. The practice of Hollywood studios contracting out post-production work to individuals or firms outside the U.S.






9. Secondary footage that is interspersed with master shots - sometimes in the form of footage shot for another production or archival footage






10. A black masking device used to black out a portion of the frame - usually for the insertion of other images






11. 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






12. A device used to manipulate the amount and/or color of light entering the lens






13. A production term denoting a single uninterrupted series of frames exposed by a motion picture or video camera between the time it is turned on and the time it is turned off. Filmmakers shoot several takes of any scene and the film editor selects the






14. A narrative approach that limits the audience's view of events to that of the main character(s) in the film. Occasional moments of omniscient narration may give viewers more information than the character shave at specific points in the narrative






15. A shot transition where shot A slowly disappears as the screen becomes black before shot B appears. A fade-in is the reverse of this process






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






17. 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






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






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






20. 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






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






22. A term used for any narrative sound - or visual element not contained in the story world. Also called 'extradiegetic'






23. 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






24. These filters bend the light coming into lens - softening and blurring the image






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






26. A shot depicting the human body from the waist up






27. 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






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






29. A lens with a variable focal length that allows changes of focal length while keeping the subject in focus






30. An effect created when more light is required to produce an image strakes the film stock - so that the resulting image exhibits high contrast - glaring light - and washed out shadows. This effect ma or may not be intentional on the filmmaker's part






31. A shot taken from a vantage point so close that only a part of the subject is visible. On an actor - it might show only an eye or a portion of the face






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. 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






34. Light emitted from a larger source that is scattered over a bigger area or reflected off a surface before it strikes the subject. Soft light minimizes facial details - including wrinkles






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






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






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






38. A change of focus from one plane of depth to another. As the in-focus subject goes out of focus - another object - which has been blurry - comes into focus in either the background or the foreground






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 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






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






42. A change of focus from one plane of depth to another. As the in-focus subject goes out of focus - another object - which has been blurry - comes into focus in either the background or the foreground






43. A technique used to join live action with a pre-recorded background image. A projector is placed behind a screen and projects an image onto it. Actors stand in front of the screen and the camera records them in front of the projected background






44. Squeezes the image at a ratio of 2:1 horizontally onto a standard film frame. On the projector - it unsqueezes the image - creating a widescreen aspect ratio during presentation






45. A videotape system that records images onto magnetic tape - using electronic signals






46. Squeezes the image at a ratio of 2:1 horizontally onto a standard film frame. On the projector - it unsqueezes the image - creating a widescreen aspect ratio during presentation






47. Then Hollywood writers and directors cited for Contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with the House Committee on Un-American Activities' attempts to root out Communists in the film industry






48. 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






49. 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






50. 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.'