Question 1

The 180-degree editing of The Maltese Falcon is typical of traditional form and thus would not be considered a salient technique used by the filmmaker.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 2

In 1941 the most startling transitional device used in films was
A) the shock cut.
B) the swish pan.
C) the sound bridge.
D) superimposition.

Accepted Answer

A

Question 3

What are the salient stylistic techniques used by Tati in his film Mon Oncle?
A) diegetic sound and visual puns
B) rapid montage and nondiegetic inserts
C) reliance on character performance and close-ups
D) nondiegetic sound and comedic dialogue

Accepted Answer

Tati's film Mon Oncle is known for its use of diegetic sound, such as the sounds of industrial machinery and household appliances, as well as visual puns, which often relies on exaggerating the contrasts between modern and traditional architecture and technology. These elements are key stylistic techniques employed by Tati to create humor and commentary on modern society.

Question 4

The ending of Citizen Kane
A) does not reference the beginning of the film, which is a move away from traditional organizational form.
B) provides firm resolution to the mystery of Kane's character.
C) echoes the beginning of the film explicitly.
D) provides no real insights into Kane's character.

Accepted Answer

The ending of Citizen Kane echoes the beginning of the film explicitly with a close-up shot of the "Rosebud" sled being thrown into the furnace, referencing the opening scene of the film where the sled is seen being played with by a young Kane. This creates a circular structure for the film and reinforces its central theme of the search for identity and the meaning of "Rosebud" in Kane's life.

Question 5

If a character speaks, the viewer expects to hear diegetic sound that is faithful to the source.

Accepted Answer

Diegetic sound refers to any sound that originates from a source within the world of the film, such as dialogue spoken by characters. When characters speak, viewers expect to hear their dialogue in a way that is consistent with their position and distance from the camera, for example. This is because the dialogue is a part of the story world, and should be represented as accurately as possible.

Question 6

If a character begins to leave the frame in a scene, the viewer expects the camera to remain stationary.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If a character begins to leave the...

Question 7

Independent films have less opportunity to make extreme stylistic choices.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Independent films have less opportunity to make...

Question 8

Noticing the use of parallelism in a film would come as what part of the process of analyzing a film?
A) determining the organizational structure
B) identifying the salient techniques used
C) tracing out patterns of techniques
D) proposing functions for the salient techniques and the patterns they form

Accepted Answer

The answer of Noticing the use of parallelism in a...

Question 9

Tati's stylistic choices in Mon Oncle produce a thematic and narrative contrast that runs throughout the film.

Accepted Answer

Tati's stylistic choices, such as using sound effects to emphasize the mechanization of modern society and contrasting it with the old-fashioned, organic world of Monsieur Hulot, contribute to the film's overall theme of the dehumanizing effects of technological progress. This theme is also furthered by the contrast between the affluent, sterile world of the Arpels and the lively, cluttered neighborhood where Monsieur Hulot lives. The narrative revolves around Monsieur Hulot's attempts to fit into this modern world, but ultimately finding fulfillment and happiness in his own simple way of life.

Question 10

Parallelism, an important feature in many great films, is surprisingly absent from Citizen Kane.

Accepted Answer

Parallelism is actually present in Citizen Kane through the use of flashbacks and multiple perspectives, among other techniques.

Question 11

The nature of the lighting, setting, and music give the opening scene of Citizen Kane a feel most associated with
A) documentary films.
B) thrillers.
C) romance films.
D) mystery movies.

Accepted Answer

The opening scene of Citizen Kane is shot in a dark and ominous setting with dramatic music, giving it a mysterious and suspenseful feel. This is most associated with mystery movies.

Question 12

In the dinner scene in Shadow of a Doubt in which Uncle Charlie praises small-town living, what purpose does the dialogue serve?
A) informational, mostly to orient the audience as to the current events in the town to which Little Charlie has moved
B) to strengthen the audience's and Little Charlie's suspicions that the uncle is a murderer
C) to strengthen the audience's suspicions that the uncle is a murderer while keeping Little Charlie in the dark
D) to confuse the audience as to the true motives of the principal characters, especially Little Charlie

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the dinner scene in Shadow of...

Question 13

Welles makes the important newsreel sequence distinctive by using a number of techniques that do not appear anywhere else in Citizen Kane.

Accepted Answer

Welles uses a combination of montage editing, dramatic music, voiceover narration, and rapid cuts between newsreel footage to make the important newsreel sequence stand out and convey the sense of Kane's life as a highly publicized and scrutinized figure.

Question 14

A salient characteristic of Citizen Kane's style is the use of
A) crosscutting.
B) nondiegetic inserts.
C) nonactors.
D) dolly and crane shots.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A salient characteristic of Citizen Kane's style...

Question 15

A filmmaker's creative choices can be constrained by technology, stylistic norms, or taste.

Accepted Answer

A filmmaker's creative choices can certainly be affected by technological limitations (e.g. lack of access to certain equipment or software), common stylistic expectations within a particular genre or medium, or personal taste preferences.

Question 16

Which of the following does NOT belong to this list of films and their salient techniques?
A) Grand Illusion: the long take
B) Citizen Kane: shooting in depth
C) October: mobile camera
D) Mon Oncle: comic sound manipulations

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following does NOT belong...

Question 17

Welles uses the shock cut to convey the passage of time during the "breakfast table" sequence between Kane and his first wife.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Welles uses the shock cut to convey...

Question 18

Our Hospitality creates its gags by
A) isolating each element in a single shot and then linking the two elements by editing.
B) putting two elements in the same shot and letting us observe comic juxtaposition.
C) isolating each element in a single shot and then allowing the progression of shots to create comic structure.
D) following heavily physical actions by the characters with scenes of extreme stillness to create comic juxtaposition of opposite levels of movement.

Accepted Answer

Our Hospitality uses comic juxtaposition by putting two elements in the same shot and letting us observe the humorous connections between them. For example, the scene with the train crossing the waterfall creates humor through the contrast of the peaceful scenery with the dangerous speed of the train.

Question 19

In Citizen Kane, Welles makes the narrator, Thompson, almost unidentifiable through the use of low-key lighting and staging choices.

Accepted Answer

Throughout the film, Welles uses low-key lighting and shadowy staging to obscure Thompson's face and make him almost unidentifiable to the audience. This helps to emphasize his role as the detached investigator trying to uncover the mystery of Kane's life.

Question 20

In Shadow of a Doubt, which of the following is done by the development and stylistic presentation of the story?
A) They make the audience identify with the murderer.
B) They put the audience close to Little Charlie.
C) They keep the audience confused as to the true motives of Uncle Charlie.
D) They take us chronologically through the defining moments of Little Charlie's adolescent life.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In Shadow of a Doubt, which of...

Quiz 8: Summary: style as a formal system

The 180-degree editing of The Maltese Falcon is typical of traditional form and thus would not be considered a salient technique used by the filmmaker.

In 1941 the most startling transitional device used in films was

What are the salient stylistic techniques used by Tati in his film Mon Oncle?

The ending of Citizen Kane

If a character speaks, the viewer expects to hear diegetic sound that is faithful to the source.

If a character begins to leave the frame in a scene, the viewer expects the camera to remain stationary.

Independent films have less opportunity to make extreme stylistic choices.

Noticing the use of parallelism in a film would come as what part of the process of analyzing a film?

Tati's stylistic choices in Mon Oncle produce a thematic and narrative contrast that runs throughout the film.

Parallelism, an important feature in many great films, is surprisingly absent from Citizen Kane.

The nature of the lighting, setting, and music give the opening scene of Citizen Kane a feel most associated with

In the dinner scene in Shadow of a Doubt in which Uncle Charlie praises small-town living, what purpose does the dialogue serve?

Welles makes the important newsreel sequence distinctive by using a number of techniques that do not appear anywhere else in Citizen Kane.

A salient characteristic of Citizen Kane's style is the use of

A filmmaker's creative choices can be constrained by technology, stylistic norms, or taste.

Which of the following does NOT belong to this list of films and their salient techniques?

Welles uses the shock cut to convey the passage of time during the "breakfast table" sequence between Kane and his first wife.

Our Hospitality creates its gags by

In Citizen Kane, Welles makes the narrator, Thompson, almost unidentifiable through the use of low-key lighting and staging choices.

In Shadow of a Doubt, which of the following is done by the development and stylistic presentation of the story?