Question 1

An ordinary modern Hollywood film typically contains
A) 600 to 800 shots.
B) 300 to 400 shots.
C) 4,000 to 5,000 shots.
D) 1,000 to 2,000 shots.

Accepted Answer

An ordinary modern Hollywood film typically contains 1,000 to 2,000 shots. This number can vary depending on the genre, length of the film, and the director's style, but in general, the average falls within this range.

Question 2

Lev Kuleshov's discovery, termed the "Kuleshov effect," suggests that
A) graphic matching usually enhances the narrative clarity of a scene.
B) the spectator's center of attention should be kept close to the middle of the screen from one shot to the next.
C) even if no establishing shot is shown, spectators will still assume that objects in separate shots are near one another.
D) spectators tend not to notice editing if matches on action and shot/reverse shots are consistently used.

Accepted Answer

The Kuleshov effect is the phenomenon in which the meaning of a shot is influenced by the shots that precede and follow it. Kuleshov discovered that even if no establishing shot is shown, spectators will still assume that objects in separate shots are near one another. This effect has been widely used in film editing to manipulate the audience's emotions and perceptions.

Question 3

The axis of action is
A) an imaginary vertical line down the center of the screen around which the characters are placed to preserve graphic continuity.
B) an imaginary line between the main characters that determines where the camera should be placed to preserve continuity.
C) an imaginary line between the main character and the camera that determines where the camera should be placed for close-ups.
D) a chalk line marked on the floor to show how far away from the camera the actor should be.

Accepted Answer

The axis of action is an imaginary line between the main characters that determines where the camera should be placed to preserve continuity. This line helps to maintain consistency in the spatial relationships between characters on-screen and to prevent confusion for the audience. It ensures that the camera does not cross the line and that shots are taken from the same side of the line, creating a consistent visual language for the audience.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a type of transition from one shot to another?
A) a dissolve
B) a glide
C) a wipe
D) a fade

Accepted Answer

A glide is not a type of transition from one shot to another. Transitions such as dissolve, wipe, and fade are commonly used in video editing to transition from one shot to another.

Question 5

The 180-degree system is designed to
A) ensure consistent screen direction across cuts.
B) create smooth, unnoticeable matches on action across cuts.
C) allow the camera to cut from action in one location to action elsewhere.
D) avoid cutting in the middle of a camera movement to a static framing.

Accepted Answer

The 180-degree system is a basic rule in film and video production that states that two characters in a scene should maintain the same left/right relationship to each other. This rule ensures consistent screen direction across cuts, preventing confusion for the audience.

Question 6

Continuity editing is a system for
A) rapidly editing on video as the film is being shot.
B) creating a regular rhythm for a scene.
C) making shots progressively more rapid during a scene.
D) for keeping the spatial and temporal relations of a scene clear.

Accepted Answer

Continuity editing is a system for keeping the spatial and temporal relations of a scene clear, ensuring that there is logical coherence throughout the film. It involves matching the shots seamlessly to create a smooth flow of action, time, and space.

Question 7

What change in continuity editing has occurred to adapt to the increased number of shots used in films since 1960?
A) increased use of establishing shots
B) more frequent motion of the camera
C) less use of telephoto lenses
D) more distant views of characters

Accepted Answer

With the increased number of shots used in films since 1960, filmmakers have adapted by using more frequent motion of the camera. This helps to keep the audience engaged and avoid monotony despite the increased number of shots.

Question 8

In the scene of the gas-station explosion in The Birds, the editing employs
A) strong graphic matching.
B) conflicting graphic qualities.
C) brief dissolves to create a montage sequence.
D) systematic crossing of the axis of action.

Accepted Answer

The editing in the gas-station explosion scene in "The Birds" employs conflicting graphic qualities, which heightens the tension and chaos of the moment, contrasting sharply with the more orderly or harmonious graphic matching typically used to create visual continuity.

Question 9

Precise graphic matching in a narrative context is typical of the films of
A) Stan Brakhage.
B) Yasujiro Ozu.
C) Andy Warhol.
D) Bruce Conner.

Accepted Answer

Yasujiro Ozu is known for his precise graphic matching and meticulous composition within a narrative context, often employing a low camera height and a static camera to create a unique visual style.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a significant alternative to the techniques of the continuity system?
A) 360-degree space
B) nondiegetic inserts
C) jump cuts
D) cheat cuts

Accepted Answer

Cheat cuts are a part of the continuity system, used to maintain spatial and temporal coherence, whereas the other options are alternatives that break or modify traditional continuity editing.

Question 11

The opening scene of The Maltese Falcon contains examples of what type of editing?
A) crosscutting
B) montage sequence
C) rhythmic cutting
D) shot/reverse shot

Accepted Answer

The opening scene of The Maltese Falcon contains shot/reverse shot editing, where the camera alternates between shots of one character looking at another, and vice versa. This is seen between Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) and Brigid O'Shaughnessy (Mary Astor) as they discuss their relationship and the reason for her visit to his office.

Question 12

In Citizen Kane, Orson Welles utilizes what kind of transition between the deathbed sequence and the "News on the March" sequence?
A) fade-in
B) POV shot
C) graphic mismatch
D) match on action

Accepted Answer

The answer of In Citizen Kane, Orson Welles utilizes what...

Question 13

Crosscutting typically
A) provides a greater degree of continuity than a shot/reverse shot does.
B) creates a less restricted knowledge of narrative events than other types of editing.
C) creates a more restricted knowledge of narrative events than other types of editing.
D) demands a great deal of matching on action.

Accepted Answer

Crosscutting allows the audience to see events happening simultaneously in multiple locations, leading to a less restricted knowledge of narrative events than other types of editing.

Question 14

A cheat cut involves
A) crossing the axis of action but also matching on action.
B) "cutting" the film in the camera so that actual splices are not needed.
C) splicing together two shots taken from the same framing but with an ellipsis.
D) a slight mismatch in the positions of mise-en-scene elements.

Accepted Answer

A cheat cut involves a slight mismatch in the positions of mise-en-scene elements, allowing for continuity in the narrative while accommodating practical shooting constraints.

Question 15

The technique of overlapping editing consists of
A) cutting away to action happening elsewhere.
B) expanding the scene by showing more than one view of the same action.
C) placing a small portion of one strip of film over another in order to make a splice.
D) making scene changes so rapidly that the audience cannot see what is happening in the individual shots.

Accepted Answer

Overlapping editing involves showing more than one view of the same action in order to expand the scene and provide more insight into what is happening. This technique can create a deeper sense of immersion and understanding for the viewer.

Question 16

A temporal ellipsis in editing
A) repeats an action.
B) shows parallel actions.
C) eliminates part of the action.
D) creates a smooth match on action.

Accepted Answer

A temporal ellipsis in editing eliminates part of the action, allowing for a quicker pace and continuation of the story without losing its coherence or understanding.

Question 17

Crosscutting is an editing technique that
A) alternates between simultaneous shots in two separate spaces.
B) moves back and forth across the axis of action.
C) introduces flashbacks by direct cuts rather than dissolves or fade-outs.
D) alternates long-shot views with close-ups.

Accepted Answer

Crosscutting is also known as parallel editing, where the editing alternates between parallel actions happening in two different locations or spaces. This technique is often used to build tension, suspense or to draw connections and comparisons between two scenes.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of the editing in Sergei Eisenstein's October?
A) graphic discontinuities
B) establishing shots
C) crosscutting
D) unclear temporal relations

Accepted Answer

Establishing shots are typical in film editing, and Eisenstein uses them in October. Therefore, the characteristic that is not present in Eisenstein's editing in October is choice B, establishing shots.

Question 19

In the continuity system, a montage sequence usually
A) compresses a lengthy series of actions into a few moments.
B) generates suspense during a last-minute rescue situation.
C) serves as a brief epilogue to the main narrative.
D) uses eyeline matching to guarantee clear spatial relations among shots.

Accepted Answer

A montage sequence is often used to compress a lengthy series of actions into a shorter amount of time, allowing the narrative to move forward and convey information efficiently. This is a common technique used in film and television to show characters working towards a goal or completing a task, without having to show every step or action in detail.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the 180-degree system?
A) It keeps part of the background consistent from shot to shot.
B) It ensures constant screen direction from shot to shot.
C) It ensures a temporal overlap from shot to shot.
D) It avoids crossing the axis of action.

Accepted Answer

The 180-degree system does not necessarily ensure a temporal overlap from shot to shot. Temporal overlap refers to the continuity of action across shots, and while the 180-degree system can help maintain spatial continuity, it is up to the filmmaker to ensure temporal continuity through editing or other techniques.

Quiz 6: The relation of shot to shot: editing

An ordinary modern Hollywood film typically contains

Lev Kuleshov's discovery, termed the "Kuleshov effect," suggests that

The axis of action is

Which of the following is NOT a type of transition from one shot to another?

The 180-degree system is designed to

Continuity editing is a system for

What change in continuity editing has occurred to adapt to the increased number of shots used in films since 1960?

In the scene of the gas-station explosion in The Birds, the editing employs

Precise graphic matching in a narrative context is typical of the films of

Which of the following is NOT a significant alternative to the techniques of the continuity system?

The opening scene of The Maltese Falcon contains examples of what type of editing?

In Citizen Kane, Orson Welles utilizes what kind of transition between the deathbed sequence and the "News on the March" sequence?

Crosscutting typically

A cheat cut involves

The technique of overlapping editing consists of

A temporal ellipsis in editing

Crosscutting is an editing technique that

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of the editing in Sergei Eisenstein's October?

In the continuity system, a montage sequence usually

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the 180-degree system?