The “invisibility” of meaning in movies is largely due to:

rapidly changing images not giving the viewer time to think

In order to possess validity, interpretation of a movie needs to be:

grounded in explicitly presented details of the story.

A unique property of film that distinguishes it from other visual medium is its capacity to:

isolate details & juxtapose images within and between shots

What does a low-angle shot usually convey when used in a narrative film?

The dominance or empowered position of a character.

One way of thinking about implicit meaning is understanding it as a movie’s:

overall message or “point.”

Analysis is defined as:

taking something apart to figure out how it fits together

In order to entertain, the film industry usually favors stories and themes that:

reinforce the audience's most fundamental beliefs

Alternative approaches to film analysis search beneath film's form/content in order to expose:

meanings that form understanding of it's function in culture

As opposed to “film” or “cinema,” the term “movies” is applied to:

motion pictures that entertain the masses at the multiplex.

Why is cultural invisibility not always a calculated decision on the part of filmmakers?

Because they're products of the same society as the audience

Film scholars pay special attention to blockbusters & other popular entertainments in order to:

understand which elements connect them with large audiences

Not all implicit meaning is:

tied to broad messages or themes.

Depth of field can be used to:

control what part of the frame is in focus.

Film analysis is also primarily concerned with:

function & effect of its combined tools & techniques

Which of the following would NOT be illuminated by a comparative analysis of a movie?

The repeated use of a color palette in a specific movie.

The visual vocabulary of film is designed to:

play upon the senses we use to interpret "real life"

In regard to viewers’ shared belief systems, how are “controversial" movies popular?

By triggering emotional responses from viewers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of noncommercial alternative films?

They are funded by major Hollywood studios.

Techniques such as fade-outs/fade-ins and low-angle shots communicate meaning by:

drawing on the way we interpret visual info in real life

Which of the following does NOT provide an example of how movies relate to viewer expectations?

Reinforce their most fundamental desires and beliefs.

Which of the following is NOT typical of a finished movie product?

It is highly experimental and “difficult” for most viewers.

Why are movies worthy of serious study?

it helps us understand how movies shape our worldview

What does a low-angle shot usually convey when used in a narrative film?

The dominance or empowered position of a character.

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DRAM 2366: Intro to Cinema Midterm

28 termsStudBud Administration105 plays

Chapters 1-5

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Questions 28

Answers

1
The “invisibility” of meaning in movies is largely due to:
rapidly changing images not giving the viewer time to think
their difficulty and challenging styles and messages.
conflation of real-life action with fictionalized action
their lack of substantive content.
2
In order to possess validity, interpretation of a movie needs to be:
grounded in explicitly presented details of the story.
completely unrelated to the surface story.
agreed upon by everybody.
completely original.
3
A unique property of film that distinguishes it from other visual medium is its capacity to:
see every character at once and continuously.
view action from the same angle and relative size.
confine the viewer to a single wide-angle view of the action
isolate details & juxtapose images within and between shots
4
What does a low-angle shot usually convey when used in a narrative film?
The dominance or empowered position of a character.
The weakness or subjugated position of a character.
The centrality of a character within the story.
The neutrality of a character.
5
One way of thinking about implicit meaning is understanding it as a movie’s:
impact on audiences.
central character.
genre
overall message or “point.”
6
Analysis is defined as:
taking something apart to figure out how it fits together
the act of comparing and contrasting.
the act of creating something from scratch.
the act of learning how to create art.
7
In order to entertain, the film industry usually favors stories and themes that:
reinforce the audience's most fundamental beliefs
upset & question the audience's most fundamental beliefs.
8
Which of the following is NOT a movie meaning expressed through form?
Budgetary cost.
Mood
Tone
Significance
9
Alternative approaches to film analysis search beneath film's form/content in order to expose:
patrons as manipulated dupes of the film's political agenda
meanings that form understanding of it's function in culture
the movie as ultimately without value.
the filmmakers as ideologically corrupt.
10
As opposed to “film” or “cinema,” the term “movies” is applied to:
motion pictures made during the silent era of filmmaking.
motion pictures that entertain the masses at the multiplex.
groups of films considered to be works of art.
11
Why is cultural invisibility not always a calculated decision on the part of filmmakers?
Because they misjudge the reactions of their audience.
Because they aren’t skilled enough in crafting movies.
Because they're products of the same society as the audience
Because they don’t know any better.
12
Film scholars pay special attention to blockbusters & other popular entertainments in order to:
understand which elements connect them with large audiences
roundly criticize all movies that play to massive audiences.
compare the quality of such movies with that of art films.
garner a larger readership.
13
Not all implicit meaning is:
valid
relevant
interesting
tied to broad messages or themes.
14
Depth of field can be used to:
control what part of the frame is in focus.
call attention to the artifice of editing.
adjust the color of a shot.
create seamless transitions between shots.
15
For how long were motion pictures popular before they were considered worthy of serious study?
10 years.
50 years.
20 years.
A year or two.
16
Film analysis is also primarily concerned with:
how a movie compares to a given work of literature
the movie’s box office gross.
how the movie can be categorized in terms of genre or style.
function & effect of its combined tools & techniques
17
Which of the following would NOT be illuminated by a comparative analysis of a movie?
Differences between American & European cinema
The repeated use of a color palette in a specific movie.
differences between genres using the same topical premise
18
Unlike photography and painting, films are constructed from individual:
performances
stories
shots
laborers
19
The visual vocabulary of film is designed to:
alienate or distance viewers from what they are watching.
work against the senses we use to interpret "real life"
play upon the senses we use to interpret "real life"
refer to something outside our understanding of “real life”
20
In regard to viewers’ shared belief systems, how are “controversial" movies popular?
By triggering emotional responses from viewers
By arousing viewers’ curiosity to see something shocking.
By tricking them with a misleading advertising campaign.
21
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of noncommercial alternative films?
They continue to flourish.
They innovate styles and aesthetics.
They can be of any length.
They are funded by major Hollywood studios.
22
Techniques such as fade-outs/fade-ins and low-angle shots communicate meaning by:
only addressing themselves to seasoned film experts
drawing on the way we interpret visual info in real life
constantly confusing and disorienting the viewing audience.
only working in concordance with preceding/succeeding shots
23
Cinema conveys an object’s physical properties, narrative significance & emotional meaning by _
employing gimmicks that call attention to themselves.
limited practical options.
many practical options.
by using awkward shots that take the viewer out of the story
24
Which of the following does NOT provide an example of how movies relate to viewer expectations?
Reinforce their most fundamental desires and beliefs.
upset & question their most fundamental desires and beliefs.
compare their most fundamental beliefs to those of others
25
The joining together of discrete shots is called:
editing
lighting
mise-en-scène.
mixing
26
Which of the following is NOT typical of a finished movie product?
It is highly experimental and “difficult” for most viewers.
It is eventually released to DVD.
It is about two hours long.
It screens initially in theaters.
27
Why are movies worthy of serious study?
it helps us understand how movies shape our worldview
it helps us understand literature, art, & other areas
it allows people to better make movies on their own.
it allows us to break a habit of constantly watching films
28
What does a low-angle shot usually convey when used in a narrative film?
The weakness or subjugated position of a character.
The neutrality of a character.
The dominance or empowered position of a character.
The centrality of a character within the story.

DRAM 2366: Intro to Cinema Midterm Flashcards | StudBud