Question 1

The time to start thinking about the structure of your piece
A) is when production ends and editing begins.
B) is while you're shooting the piece.
C) is when you write the script.
D) none of the above.

Accepted Answer

The structure of your piece is determined by the script.

Question 2

Sequencing units of media manipulates the
A) duration of each unit.
B) order of each unit.
C) content relationship between those units.
D) all of the above.

Accepted Answer

Sequencing units of media can manipulate the duration, order, and content relationship between those units, so all of the above choices are correct.

Question 3

Film or video that uses a continuity approach typically present events
A) out of order.
B) chronologically.
C) geographically.
D) none of the above.

Accepted Answer

Films or videos that use a continuity approach typically present events chronologically, following a clear cause-and-effect progression to tell a cohesive story.

Question 4

D. W. Griffith is credited with developing
A) nonlinear storytelling.
B) a less theatrical approach to filming.
C) his own film.
D) a politically-correct approach to storytelling.

Accepted Answer

D.W. Griffith is credited with developing a less theatrical approach to filming, particularly with his use of close-ups and innovative camera angles.

Question 5

When an edit breaks one of the rules of continuity, it's called
A) genius.
B) a hop.
C) a skip shot.
D) a jump cut.

Accepted Answer

A jump cut is when there is a noticeable and abrupt shift in the continuity of a scene, often caused by editing out a section of footage. This can be jarring for the viewer and is generally considered a mistake in filmmaking.

Question 6

The shot is of a couple relaxing by the resort pool on their honeymoon. The following are good examples of motivated edits, except
A) a close up on the husband's face as he raises his sunglasses.
B) a cut to a wide angle to get more of the couple in the frame.
C) a pair of legs walking in front of the couple.
D) a cut to the wife standing up and walking away.

Accepted Answer

A close up on the husband's face could potentially break the continuity of the shot and feel unmotivated. A pair of legs walking in front of the couple could also be jarring and feel unmotivated. Cutting to the wife standing up and walking away would not fit the relaxation and honeymoon theme of the shot. The most motivated edit would be to cut to a wider shot to show more of the couple's surroundings and enhance the feeling of relaxation.

Question 7

When sequencing shot sizes it helps to replicate the way the human brain processes objects and events. Two ways the brain does this are discussed in the text. They are
A) passive and impassive collection.
B) logic and rational deduction.
C) inductive and deductive reasoning.
D) none of the above.

Accepted Answer

The two ways the human brain processes objects and events that are relevant for sequencing shot sizes are inductive and deductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning involves making generalizations from a set of specific observations, while deductive reasoning involves starting from a general principle and drawing specific conclusions based on that principle. By using both types of reasoning in sequencing shot sizes, a filmmaker can replicate the way the human brain naturally processes visual information.

Question 8

There are websites dedicated to revealing lapses in continuity in movies. Which of the following is an example of this kind of jump cut?
A) In one shot, in a house, the character has red hair. Moments later he is seen getting into a car with a hat on.
B) A soldier in the background of a scene is wearing a cast on his right arm. The camera cuts away for a moment, and when it comes back, the soldier is not wearing a cast.
C) A character begins a montage as a little girl. By the end she is starting her first day at college.
D) none of the above.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a continuity error where a detail (the soldier's cast) changes between shots. A jump cut is a specific type of editing technique where there is a sudden shift in time or space in a shot, but none of the options given demonstrate this type of editing.

Question 9

A series of shots that have no relationship in time, place, or in the narrative flow might be called
A) a montage.
B) a jump cut.
C) a verbally driven structure.
D) all of the above.

Accepted Answer

A montage is a series of shots that are unrelated in time, place, and narrative flow but are juxtaposed to create a particular meaning or effect. Jump cut refers to a type of edit where a sudden jump occurs in time or place within a shot, and verbally driven structure refers to a narrative structure that is primarily driven by dialogue or spoken words. Therefore, the best choice for a series of shots with no relationship in time, place, or narrative flow is A) a montage.

Question 10

Linear structure is the process of the pieces of a project together, so the final project unfolds in a straight line through time.

Accepted Answer

Linear structure means the project progresses step by step in a linear manner, following a set sequence of tasks. This leads to a straight-line progression through time.

Question 11

Structure begins with postproduction and editing.

Accepted Answer

Structure in filmmaking typically begins in the pre-production phase with the development of the script and planning how the story will be visually told, not during postproduction and editing.

Question 12

The more you can visualize during preproduction, the more accurately you can share your vision.

Accepted Answer

Visualizing during preproduction helps to solidify and communicate your vision to others involved in the project.

Question 13

When working on a documentary, Ken Burns often limits his role to just directing.

Accepted Answer

Ken Burns often takes on multiple roles in his documentary projects, including director, producer, and sometimes writer, rather than limiting his role to just directing.

Question 14

There are accepted conventions to creating a sense of continuity. Break one of these rules and it's called a jump cut.

Accepted Answer

Jump cuts are created when there is a sudden shift in time, place, camera angle or subject without any continuity. To avoid jump cuts, filmmakers use techniques like match cuts, cutaways, dissolves, etc. to create a sense of continuity. Breaking these techniques leads to a jump cut.

Question 15

A motivated edit is when a cut is made for a reason.

Accepted Answer

A motivated edit is intentional and serves a purpose, whether it's to advance the narrative, enhance the pacing, or create an emotional effect. It is not made randomly or arbitrarily.

Question 16

Eyeline match is when the eyes of subjects on the screen appear in almost the same place within the frame, cut-to-cut.

Accepted Answer

Eyeline match is a film editing technique used to maintain spatial continuity, where the direction a character looks in one shot matches the direction of the object or person in the subsequent shot, not necessarily their eyes appearing in the same place in the frame.

Question 17

Continuity of screen direction is tricky, and is often called the "adhering to the 360-degree rule."

Accepted Answer

Continuity of screen direction is often referred to as maintaining the "180-degree rule," not the "360-degree rule." This rule is used to ensure spatial consistency on screen by keeping the camera on one side of an imaginary line between the subjects being filmed.

Question 18

A tracking shot can reorient the viewer when the camera crosses the 180-degree line.

Accepted Answer

A tracking shot involves moving the camera along with the subject being filmed. When the camera crosses the 180-degree line, it can change the viewer's perspective and reorient them to the positioning of the subject and its surroundings.

Question 19

Sound bites are sections of audio clipped from an interview.

Accepted Answer

Sound bites are typically short clips of audio that are taken from longer interviews or speeches. They are often used by news outlets or other media organizations as a way of highlighting key moments or quotes from a particular speaker or interviewee.

Question 20

Media conventions must never be broken.

Accepted Answer

While media conventions provide a structure and framework for storytelling, they can and have been broken in order to create unique and innovative narratives. Breaking conventions can also challenge societal norms and push boundaries in media.

Quiz 9: The Theory of Linear Structure

The time to start thinking about the structure of your piece

Sequencing units of media manipulates the

Film or video that uses a continuity approach typically present events

D. W. Griffith is credited with developing

When an edit breaks one of the rules of continuity, it's called

The shot is of a couple relaxing by the resort pool on their honeymoon. The following are good examples of motivated edits, except

When sequencing shot sizes it helps to replicate the way the human brain processes objects and events. Two ways the brain does this are discussed in the text. They are

There are websites dedicated to revealing lapses in continuity in movies. Which of the following is an example of this kind of jump cut?

A series of shots that have no relationship in time, place, or in the narrative flow might be called