Question 1

Films that rely too heavily on CGI can become dated; they may look like outdated videogames.

Accepted Answer

As technology advances, CGI that once seemed cutting-edge can quickly appear outdated, making films that overuse it look less realistic or akin to older video games.

Question 2

Thomas Edison built a motion picture studio called "Black Maria."

Accepted Answer

Thomas Edison did indeed build a motion picture studio known as the "Black Maria," which is considered one of the first film studios in history.

Question 3

The "studio system," highlighted by powerful studios such as Warner Brothers and Paramount, appeared around 1990.

Accepted Answer

The "studio system" was a feature of Hollywood's Golden Age, reaching its peak from the 1920s to the 1940s, not around 1990.

Question 4

Silent movies appealed to America's growing immigrant population, many of whom did not speak English.

Accepted Answer

Silent movies were universally appealing because they relied on visual storytelling rather than spoken language, making them accessible to immigrants who did not speak English.

Question 5

The MPPDA Code introduced in the 1930s was also known as the Hays Code.

Accepted Answer

The MPPDA Code, introduced in the 1930s to regulate film content, is indeed also known as the Hays Code, named after Will H. Hays, who was the president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA) at the time.

Question 6

Blacklisted writers couldn't find a way to use pseudonyms or "fronts" to submit their work to the studios.

Accepted Answer

Blacklisted writers often used pseudonyms or "fronts" to submit their work to studios, allowing them to continue working despite being blacklisted during the Hollywood blacklist era.

Question 7

The double feature was introduced in the late 1910s as a way to get audiences away from their televisions and back into the movie theatres.

Accepted Answer

The double feature was introduced in the late 1910s, before television became widespread in households. It was a marketing strategy to attract more viewers to cinemas by offering two films for the price of one, not specifically to compete with television.

Question 8

Technological innovations such as widescreen formats were introduced in response to declining attendance at movie theatres.

Accepted Answer

Widescreen formats and other technological innovations were introduced during the 1950s and beyond as a response to declining movie theatre attendance, partly due to the rise of television. These innovations were meant to offer an experience that could not be replicated at home, thus attracting audiences back to theaters.

Question 9

The zoetrope was an early device that made images appear as if they were moving.

Accepted Answer

The zoetrope is a pre-film animation device that produces the illusion of motion by displaying a sequence of drawings or photographs showing progressive phases of that motion.

Question 10

CGI, which stands for computer-generated imagery, is an important cinematic technology but will not become a viable art form or industry in and of itself.

Accepted Answer

CGI has already become a significant art form and industry, widely used in movies, video games, television, and virtual reality, showcasing its versatility and importance beyond just being a cinematic technology.

Question 11

Films such as Jaws and Star Wars have come to define the modern-day blockbuster.

Accepted Answer

These films were among the first to achieve massive commercial success and widespread popularity, setting the standard for what is considered a blockbuster in the film industry.

Question 12

The Production Code of the 1930s was eventually replaced with a letter code (e.g., "G" ratings).

Accepted Answer

The Production Code, also known as the Hays Code, was replaced by the MPAA film rating system in 1968, which uses letter ratings like "G," "PG," "R," etc.

Question 13

In response to the 2007 writers' strike, Hollywood studios realigned themselves to become more economical, buying fewer original scripts and relying more on previously existing material.

Accepted Answer

The 2007 writers' strike led studios to seek more cost-effective strategies, including focusing on adaptations and franchises, which were seen as safer investments compared to original scripts.

Question 14

Due to union protections, it is as common for members of the creative unions (writers, actors, directors, etc.) to enjoy steady work as it is for members of film crews (camera operators, transportation, etc.) to enjoy steady work.

Accepted Answer

Creative union members often face more irregular work schedules due to the project-based nature of their roles, whereas film crew members may find more consistent work across various projects.

Question 15

Although the US is the center of the entertainment world today, in the early days of the film industry many of the great artistic and technological advances were made overseas.

Accepted Answer

In the early days of cinema, countries like France, Germany, and the UK were pioneers in film technology and artistry, contributing significantly to the development of the film industry.

Question 16

The birthplace of the film industry is:

Accepted Answer

Fort Lee, New Jersey, is considered the birthplace of the American film industry. Before Hollywood became the movie capital, Fort Lee was the center of American film production in the early 20th century, due to its proximity to New York City and its varied landscape that was ideal for outdoor shooting.

Question 17

In the 1930s, the motion picture industry began to be regulated by:

Accepted Answer

The Motion Picture Production Code, also known as the Hays Code after its creator Will H. Hays, was introduced in the 1930s to regulate the content of films to ensure they met certain moral standards.

Question 18

The Hays Code prohibited:

Accepted Answer

The Hays Code, also known as the Motion Picture Production Code, was a set of moral guidelines applied to most United States motion pictures released by major studios from 1934 to 1968. It prohibited foul language, mixed-race romances, and overt sexuality, among other things, to ensure that movies adhered to what were considered acceptable moral standards at the time.

Question 19

In the 1950s, the Hollywood studios became complicit in blacklisting:

Accepted Answer

During the 1950s, the Hollywood studios participated in the blacklisting of individuals who were suspected of being communists or having communist sympathies, as part of the broader Red Scare in the United States. This was influenced by the House Un-American Activities Committee's investigations into alleged communist influence in the entertainment industry.

Question 20

The term B movies referred to:

Accepted Answer

B movies originally referred to the second, less expensive film in a double feature, often with lower production values and aimed at a less discerning audience than the main feature.

Quiz 13: Feature Films: The Movies