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Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of artificial light in filmmaking?
What is the purpose of artificial light in filmmaking?
What does the term 'aspect ratio' refer to in film?
What does the term 'aspect ratio' refer to in film?
What is an audio bridge in film editing?
What is an audio bridge in film editing?
What is the function of the aperture in a camera?
What is the function of the aperture in a camera?
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What does 'above-the-line' costs refer to in filmmaking?
What does 'above-the-line' costs refer to in filmmaking?
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What is the nickname for the second-to-last production shot of the day?
What is the nickname for the second-to-last production shot of the day?
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What does the term 'adaptation' refer to in film?
What does the term 'adaptation' refer to in film?
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What is an aerial shot in filmmaking?
What is an aerial shot in filmmaking?
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What does the term 'anthropomorphism' mean in the context of animated films?
What does the term 'anthropomorphism' mean in the context of animated films?
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What characterizes an anthology film?
What characterizes an anthology film?
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Study Notes
Abby Singer
- A nickname for the second-to-last production shot of the day
- This is attributed to famed American production manager and assistant film director Abby Singer (active between the 1950s-1980s)
- The last shot of the day is known as the martini shot
Adaptation
- The presentation of one art form through another medium
- Examples include a film based upon a stage play, short story, book, article, history, novel, video game, comic strip/book, etc.
Aerial shot
- A camera shot filmed in an exterior location from far overhead
- Shot from a bird's eye view
- Usually captured from a helicopter, blimp, balloon, plane, drone
- Often used as the opening shot of a film or scene, known as an establishing shot
Alan Smithee film
- A pseudonym used by directors who want to disassociate themselves from a film
- Used when directors feel their control or vision has been compromised by the studio
- The film may have been recut, mutilated and altered against their wishes
Ambient light
- The natural light (usually soft) or surrounding light around a subject in a scene
- Similar to background lighting
Anamorphic
- A method of intentionally distorting and creating a wide-screen image with standard film
- The anamorphic image usually appears "squished" horizontally while retaining its full vertical resolution
Antagonist
- The main character, person, group, society, nature, force, spirit world, bad guy, or villain of a film or script who is in adversarial conflict with the film's hero, lead character or protagonist
Anthology Film
- A multi-part or multi-segmented film that contains various tales or short stories
- These stories are often linked together by some common theme
- Stories are often directed by different directors or scripted by various screenwriters
Ad Lib
- When an actor improvises a scene or dialogue that is not in the original script
Anthropomorphism
- Giving creatures or objects human qualities, abilities, and characteristics
- Common in animated films
Arc shot
- A shot where the subject(s) is shot by an encircling or moving camera
- Usually a 180-degree motion
Art-house
- A niche motion picture theatre that shows foreign, low-budget, or non-mainstream independent films
- Often describes films that are considered high-brow or 'art' films
Artificial light
- Lighting that is not naturally occurring in a scene
- Created through a mix of lighting techniques
- Used to light the subject, mimic existing light, or enhance the mood of a scene
Aside
- Occurs when a character in a film breaks the 'fourth wall' and directly addresses the audience with a comment
Aspect Ratio
- Refers to how the image appears on the screen, determined by the ratio of width to height of a frame, image or screen
- Traditional TV screens have a 4:3 aspect ratio
- Cinema films typically have a 16:9 aspect ratio
Assembly
- The first stage of editing where all the shots are arranged in the order of the script
Audio Bridge
- An outgoing sound (either dialogue or sound effects) in one scene that continues over into a new image or shot
- The soundtrack, not a visual image, connects the two shots or scenes
Available light
- The naturally existing light on location
- Using available natural light enhances a film's realism rather than utilizing artificial light
Avant-garde
- Refers to an experimental, abstract, or highly independent, non-mainstream film
- Often the forerunner of a new artistic genre or art form
- Avant-garde films emphasize technique over substance
- Also loosely applies to a group of French and German filmmakers in the early 20th century
A.D.R
- Stands for Automated Dialog Recording
- Refers to 'dubbing', which is an addition or substitute to the existing location sound
Aperture
- A small opening in the camera lens that controls the amount of light that passes through
Apple Box
- A thick wooden box used to set up extra-large camera equipment or for the camera-person to stand up on
- Also used by grips to elevate actors, build, rig, and more
Above-the-line (costs)
- The list of individuals who guide and influence the creative direction, process, and voice of a given narrative in a film
- Includes the screenwriter, producer, director, and actors
- Also refers to the related expenditures for these roles
‘A’ camera
- When shooting with 2 or more cameras, the main camera is referred to as “A Camera”
Ace
- Refers to a 1k or 1000-Watt light
Ambient noise
- Also known as Room Tone
- A recording of the sound in a room used as an underlying audio track in editing
- Room Tone or Ambient Noise is generally recorded after completing a scene in a location before moving on to the next
Animatronics
- Special effects that deal with remote controlled puppetry
- Can be used for creatures, robots or various other subjects
ARRI
- The largest manufacturer of professional motion picture equipment in the world
Art director
- Generally second in command in the art department and reports directly to the Production Designer
Assistant director (A.D.)
- The right hand of the director and the person that keeps the crew moving
Associate producer
- A credit usually given to someone who has had a hand in producing an aspect of a production, but not fully considered a producer
Auteur
- A Director considered to be the true author of their film
- Stems from the “Auteur Theory” created by French critics in the 60s
- Applied to directors such as Kurosawa and Hitchcock
- The theory states that a film reflects the true creative vision of a director
Actuality film
- A non-fiction film genre that uses footage of real events, places, and things
- Similar to a documentary but is not structured into a larger argument, picture of the phenomenon or coherent whole
- Actuality films preceded the emergence of the documentary
Axis of action
- An imaginary or invisible line (or axis) that passes through two main subjects being filmed in a scene
- The subjects face each other, one is left, the other is right
- The camera must maintain that left-right relationship or orientation to avoid disorienting or distracting the viewer
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Description
Test your knowledge of film terminology with this quiz covering terms like Abby Singer, adaptation, aerial shot, and Alan Smithee. Each question will delve into concepts and practices widely used in the film industry. Perfect for aspiring filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts!
