Film Techniques and Cinematography

1. What does a 'wide shot' (or 'establishing shot') typically accomplish at the start of a scene?

• A. Showing the overall setting and context of where the action takes place ✓
• B. Focusing tightly on a single character's facial expression
• C. Showing only a close-up of an object
• D. Displaying only the film's title card

💡 A 'wide shot' or 'establishing shot' typically shows the overall setting and context of a scene at its start.

2. What does the '180-degree rule' refer to in film continuity editing?

• A. A guideline maintaining consistent spatial relationships by keeping the camera on one side of an imaginary axis ✓
• B. A rule limiting a film's total runtime
• C. A rule about lighting temperature
• D. A rule about camera lens focal length only

💡 The '180-degree rule' maintains consistent spatial relationships between characters by keeping the camera on one side of an imaginary axis between them.

3. What is a 'reaction shot' in film editing?

• A. A shot showing a character's response or emotional reaction to an event or dialogue ✓
• B. A shot showing only the main action of a scene
• C. A shot used exclusively for opening credits
• D. A type of special effects shot only

💡 A 'reaction shot' shows a character's response or emotional reaction to an event or another character's dialogue.

4. What is a 'voice-over' in filmmaking?

• A. Narration recorded separately and layered over the film's visuals ✓
• B. Dialogue spoken by an on-screen character shown in the shot
• C. Background music added during post-production
• D. Sound effects added during post-production

💡 A 'voice-over' is narration recorded separately and layered over a film's visuals, typically not spoken by a character shown in the moment.

5. What does 'practical lighting' refer to in cinematography?

• A. Light sources that appear within the scene itself, such as lamps or windows, that also contribute to actual lighting ✓
• B. Lighting equipment that is never visible in the shot
• C. Only natural sunlight used without any equipment
• D. A type of digital lighting effect added in post-production

💡 'Practical lighting' refers to light sources that appear within the scene itself, like lamps, which also serve to actually light the shot.

6. What is a 'Dutch angle' (or 'canted angle') in filmmaking?

• A. A camera shot tilted off the horizontal axis, often used to create unease ✓
• B. A shot filmed from directly above
• C. A shot filmed at eye level only
• D. A type of lighting technique

💡 A 'Dutch angle' tilts the camera off the horizontal axis, often used to create a sense of unease or disorientation.

7. What is a 'tracking shot' in cinematography?

• A. A shot where the camera physically moves alongside or follows the subject ✓
• B. A completely stationary shot
• C. A shot using only a zoom lens
• D. A shot filmed entirely underwater

💡 A 'tracking shot' involves the camera physically moving alongside or following a subject through a scene.

8. What does 'non-diegetic sound' refer to in film?

• A. Sound added for the audience's benefit that characters within the story cannot hear ✓
• B. Sound that characters within the story can hear
• C. A type of dialogue only
• D. A type of practical sound effect only

💡 'Non-diegetic sound', such as background music, is added for the audience and cannot be heard by the characters within the story.

9. What is 'parallel editing' (or 'crosscutting') in film narrative?

• A. Alternating between two or more scenes happening simultaneously in different locations ✓
• B. Showing scenes in strict chronological order only
• C. Editing a scene using only a single continuous shot
• D. Editing that removes all transitions between scenes

💡 'Parallel editing', or 'crosscutting', alternates between two or more scenes occurring simultaneously in different locations.

10. What does 'high-key lighting' refer to in cinematography?

• A. Bright, even lighting with minimal shadows, often used in comedies ✓
• B. Lighting with strong contrasts and heavy shadows
• C. Lighting used only outdoors
• D. Lighting that changes color throughout a scene

💡 'High-key lighting' uses bright, even illumination with minimal shadows, commonly seen in comedies and lighter-toned films.

11. What is a 'Steadicam' used for in filmmaking?

• A. Stabilizing a handheld camera to create smooth shots while moving ✓
• B. Recording audio during filming
• C. Adjusting lighting on set
• D. Editing footage in post-production

💡 A 'Steadicam' is a camera stabilization system that allows for smooth shots even while the operator is moving.

12. What does 'color grading' refer to in post-production?

• A. Adjusting and enhancing the color and tone of a film's footage ✓
• B. Adding subtitles to a film
• C. Recording the film's dialogue
• D. Editing the film's musical score

💡 'Color grading' involves adjusting and enhancing the color and tone of a film's footage during post-production.

13. What does 'chiaroscuro' lighting refer to in cinematography?

• A. Strong contrasts between light and dark within a shot ✓
• B. Uniform, even lighting throughout a shot
• C. Lighting using only natural sunlight
• D. A type of color grading technique

💡 'Chiaroscuro' lighting creates strong contrasts between light and dark within a shot, often for dramatic effect.

14. What does 'depth of field' refer to in cinematography?

• A. The range of distance within a shot that appears acceptably sharp and in focus ✓
• B. The physical depth of the film set
• C. The number of camera angles used in a scene
• D. The length of a film's soundtrack

💡 'Depth of field' refers to the range of distance within a shot that appears acceptably sharp and in focus.

15. What does 'match cut' refer to in film editing?

• A. A transition using similar visual elements or actions to create a smooth connection between shots ✓
• B. An abrupt, jarring transition
• C. A transition using only sound effects
• D. A transition using only text on screen

💡 A 'match cut' uses visually or thematically similar elements between two shots to create a smooth, connected transition.

16. What is a 'jump cut' in film editing?

• A. An abrupt transition between two shots that creates a jarring, discontinuous effect ✓
• B. A smooth, gradual transition between two shots
• C. A transition using a fade to black
• D. A transition using a dissolve effect

💡 A 'jump cut' is an abrupt editing transition between two shots that creates a jarring, discontinuous effect.

17. What does 'rack focus' refer to in cinematography?

• A. Shifting focus from one subject to another within the same continuous shot ✓
• B. Keeping the entire frame in constant, uniform focus
• C. A type of camera angle only
• D. A type of editing transition only

💡 'Rack focus' shifts the focal point from one subject to another within a single, continuous shot.

18. What is a 'long take' in cinematography?

• A. A single continuous shot that lasts for an extended period without cutting ✓
• B. A very short shot lasting only a few frames
• C. A shot filmed from a great physical distance only
• D. A shot using only natural lighting

💡 A 'long take' is a single continuous shot that lasts for an extended duration without any cuts.

19. What is 'diegetic sound' in a film?

• A. Sound that originates from within the story's world and can be heard by the characters ✓
• B. Sound added only during post-production for the audience
• C. Music that plays over the opening credits only
• D. Sound effects created entirely in a recording studio only

💡 'Diegetic sound' originates from within the story's world and can be heard by the characters themselves, unlike background score.

20. What is 'aspect ratio' in filmmaking?

• A. The proportional relationship between a film frame's width and height ✓
• B. The total length of a film in minutes
• C. The number of cameras used during filming
• D. The budget allocated for visual effects

💡 'Aspect ratio' describes the proportional relationship between a film frame's width and height.