Cinematic Shots Quiz

Camera Shots and Movements

• A Medium Shot captures subjects from the waist up, often used in dialogue scenes.
• Dolly movement involves physically moving the camera towards or away from the subject.
• A High Angle Shot often portrays the subject as vulnerable or weaker, giving the audience a sense of superiority.
• An Establishing Shot sets the scene, providing context by showing the location or environment relevant to the narrative.
• A Wide Shot displays the entire object or human figure, establishing its relationship with the surroundings.

Film Techniques

• A Cut refers to an abrupt transition from one shot to another.
• Cross-Cutting is a technique that alternates between two or more scenes occurring simultaneously but in different locations.
• Shot-Reverse-Shot is a common editing technique that alternates between two characters, typically during conversations.
• A Wipe transitions from one shot to another, where one scene pushes the previous scene off the screen.
• A Dissolve gradually transitions from one image to another, blending the visuals over time.

Lighting and Sound

• Low Key Lighting features strong contrasts, creating shadows and a moody atmosphere.
• High Key Lighting uses bright, even light to reduce shadows, typically conveying a cheerful mood.
• Diegetic Sound originates from the film’s world, such as dialogue or ambient noise, heard by the characters.
• Non-Diegetic Sound is external to the film's narrative, like a film score, which only the audience hears.

Editing Techniques

• Eye-Line Match aligns a shot of a subject looking at something with a shot of what they are viewing, creating a visual connection.
• Tilt involves moving the camera lens up or down while keeping its base stationary, changing the viewer’s perspective.
• A Two-Shot features two characters in the same frame, highlighting their relationship and interactions.
• Front/Back Lighting focuses light on a subject either from the front or behind, creating depth and mood.

Narrative Techniques

• A Flashback revisits past events within the narrative, providing context or backstory to the current storyline.
• Low Angle shots position the camera below the subject, making them appear larger, more powerful, or more intimidating.

Test your knowledge of film terminology with this quiz on different types of shots used in cinematography. From establishing shots to long shots, challenge yourself to identify and understand the various techniques used to capture scenes in movies.