This document contains questions and answers about filmmaking techniques from five categories: Shots, Composition, Editing, Developing, and Director. Each category contains five questions ranging from $100 to $500 in value. The questions cover topics such as different types of shots, rules of composition, editing techniques, stages of film development, and a director's role. The final question asks about an important concept in continuity editing.
12. $100 Question from Composition
The amount of space in the frame that is
above the primary character(s) head(s).
Excessive headroom can be a sign of
amateurish photography.
14. $200 Question from Composition
In an image, the height and width can be
equally divided into thirds. According
to this principle, the four points in the
space where the two vertical lines and
two horizontal lines meet are the areas
of most dynamic interest to the viewer,
and the top and bottom thirds of the
frame are where horizon lines should
stretch.
16. $300 Question from Composition
A shot that is from the point of view of a
character in the film. This can be quite
obvious, such as a hand coming into the
screen, or it can be more subtle, such as
from the context of other shots in the
sequence.
18. $400 Question from Composition
A change in the distance at which the
image is sharp during a shot, which can
be done manually on the lens, through the
camera or by a remote device.
20. $500 Question from Composition
A shot that is from the point of view of
a character in the film. This can be
quite obvious, such as a hand coming
into the screen, or it can be more
subtle, such as from the context of
other shots in the sequence.
22. $100 Question from Editing
A transition between two shots or
sequences whereby the first gradually
fades out as the second fades in with
some overlap.
24. $200 Question from Editing
The process of selection and cutting
shots (separation them and altering
their length), then moving them and
determining their proper
arrangement in sequences.
28. $400 Question from Editing
An edit between two shots from a
single sequence that makes time or
space shift abruptly or in a jolting
manner: not continuous.
30. $500 Question from Editing
An edit in which an action or visual
form in the first shot is matched with
one in the second shot to create a
smooth transition between the shots.
32. $100 Question from Developing
A series of still images, usually
drawings, representing individual shots
arranged in sequences for motion
picture production.
34. $200 Question from Developing
A series of shots that form a distinct
storytelling unit or unified passage in the
film, much like e a scene in a play.
36. $300 Question from Developing
A recorded series of images that show a
view, either fixed or moving, which
duplicates a passage of real time. It can
be cut into smaller pieces through
editing. Also, the passage of time can be
lengthened or shortened by recording
more or fewer frames than is technically
appropriate per second of normal time,
commonly known as slow or fast motion.
38. $400 Question from Developing
In relation to the depth of space
depicted in the frame, the background
is made up of the visible elements
(people, spatial elements, walls and so
forth) that are the farthest from the
camera
42. $100 Question from Director
The arrangement of visual elements in
a motion picture frame. This includes
all people, objects, settings, and other
visuals as they are seen in terms of
width, height, and depth, and as they
move in the space of the screen.
44. $200 Question from Director
A voice heard with moving images but
not spoken out loud by any character
who is physically part of the sequence
shown on the screen.
48. $400 Question from Director
In relation to the depth of space depicted
in the frame, the foreground is made up
of those elements (people, objects, and
so forth) that are closest to the camera.
52. Final Jeopardy
In filmmaking, “the ___________” is an
imaginary line perceived between two or
more characters in a scene used for
purposes of continuity editing.
