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Quizzes > Movies

Filmmaking Quiz: Test Your Cinema Knowledge

Quick, free cinema knowledge quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Madame CrufeliUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustrating filmmaking quiz with questions about directing and editing on a sky blue background.

This filmmaking quiz helps you check your grasp of directing, editing, cinematography, and on-set roles with clear questions and instant feedback. Want more to explore? Tackle a broader general movie quiz, or try a focused cinema quiz to test your screen knowledge from classics to modern hits.

What does "CU" stand for in filmmaking terminology?
Close-Up
Color Unit
Camera Up
Cut Under
CU stands for Close-Up, which frames a subject tightly to emphasize detail or emotion. Close-Ups are commonly used to capture facial expressions and important props. They help the audience connect with the character's feelings and focus attention on significant elements. Learn more at .
What is the primary purpose of a storyboard in pre-production?
To market the final film
To edit the film
To plan shot sequence visually
To record audio cues
A storyboard is a visual representation of each shot in a film, laid out scene by scene. It helps directors, cinematographers, and production designers understand framing, camera movement, and pacing. With storyboards, the crew can plan time, equipment, and logistics before shooting. For more details, see .
What is the standard frame rate for motion pictures in Hollywood?
12 frames per second
24 frames per second
60 frames per second
30 frames per second
The traditional frame rate for theatrical films is 24 frames per second (fps), chosen for its cinematic look and economical film usage. This frame rate provides motion fluidity while preserving a slightly natural motion blur. Higher frame rates are sometimes used for special formats but 24 fps remains the industry norm. Learn more at .
In editing, what does the term "B-roll" refer to?
Budget and financial reports
Raw audio recordings
Supplemental or alternate footage
Color correction data
B-roll is extra footage intercut with the main shot (A-roll) to provide coverage, context, or visual interest. It is often used to cover jump cuts or illustrate what a narrator is describing. Proper B-roll builds narrative flow and enhances storytelling clarity. More information at .
Which guideline in cinematography ensures consistent spatial orientation between two characters?
180-degree rule
Rule of thirds
Metric composition
Z-axis rule
The 180-degree rule maintains relative positions of characters by keeping the camera on one side of an imaginary line. Crossing this line can confuse audience perception of direction and space. This guideline ensures continuity and clear spatial relationships in dialogue scenes. Read more at .
Which software is widely used by professionals for non-linear video editing?
DaVinci Resolve (audio only)
Avid Pro Tools
Final Draft
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is a leading non-linear editing (NLE) software used for film and video post-production. It supports multiple formats, advanced color grading, and integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps. While DaVinci Resolve also offers editing features, it's primarily renowned for color correction. More info at .
Which lens element controls depth of field by adjusting the size of the aperture?
Zoom ring
Diaphragm
Focusing ring
Image stabilizer
The diaphragm (or aperture) adjusts how much light enters a lens and directly controls depth of field. A wider aperture (lower f-number) creates a shallow focus, while a smaller aperture (higher f-number) yields greater depth of field. Filmmakers use this to draw attention or keep scenes in focus. Learn more at .
What is the "rule of thirds" in composition?
Keeping the horizon in the middle of the frame
Using only three unique camera angles
Dividing the frame into thirds horizontally and vertically
Limiting the scene to three actors
The rule of thirds divides the frame into nine equal parts with two horizontal and two vertical lines. Placing key elements along these lines or intersections creates balanced and dynamic compositions. It's a fundamental guideline for visual storytelling in film and photography. For details, see .
Which shot creates the "vertigo effect" by moving the camera while simultaneously adjusting the focal length opposite to the movement?
Dolly zoom
Handheld shot
Tracking shot
Dutch angle
The dolly zoom, or vertigo effect, involves moving the camera toward or away from a subject while zooming in the opposite direction. This technique alters perspective, keeping the subject roughly the same size while the background expands or contracts. It was popularized by Hitchcock in "Vertigo". More at .
In film sound design, what does "diegetic sound" refer to?
Sound added only for the audience
Music composed specifically for the film
Ambient noise recorded on set
Sound originating from within the story world
Diegetic sound is any audio that characters in the film can hear, such as dialogue, footsteps, or radios. Non-diegetic sounds, like a musical score, are intended only for the audience's experience. Effective use of diegetic sound grounds a scene in realism. See for more.
What is the purpose of a clapperboard (slate) during production?
To mark the director's notes
To synchronize picture and sound
To call for lunch breaks
To measure light exposure
A clapperboard is used at the start of each take to provide a visual and auditory sync point for editors. The snap of the clap aligns audio with the corresponding frame. It also displays metadata like scene, take number, and date. Additional info at .
In color grading, what does the "lift" control adjust?
The overall saturation
The midtones of an image
The highlights of an image
The shadows or darkest parts of an image
The lift control in color grading adjusts the darker portions of the image, often called the shadows. Changing lift can raise or lower the black point, affecting contrast and mood. It's essential for balancing exposure and creating stylized looks. Learn more at .
Which edit is known as a "J-cut", where the audio of the next scene begins before the picture cuts?
L-cut
Cross-cut
Match cut
J-cut
A J-cut introduces the audio from the upcoming scene before the visual cut, creating a seamless transition. The waveform of the new scene appears below the old picture in most editing timelines, resembling a 'J' shape. This technique enhances flow and audience immersion. More at .
What distinguishes anamorphic lenses from spherical lenses in cinematography?
They record audio directly through the lens
They only work on prime focal lengths
They eliminate all optical distortion
They squeeze the image horizontally for widescreen formats
Anamorphic lenses use cylindrical elements to compress the horizontal field of view onto standard sensor sizes. During projection or in post, the image is "unsqueezed" to achieve a widescreen aspect ratio with unique oval bokeh and lens flares. This creates a cinematic look distinct from spherical lenses. Read more at .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze Camera Techniques -

    Apply insights from the filmmaking questions to identify and differentiate between shot types, camera angles, and movement styles.

  2. Apply Lighting Strategies -

    Use practical tips from the filmmaker quiz to select and implement lighting setups that enhance mood, depth, and visual clarity.

  3. Evaluate Editing Techniques -

    Assess editing styles and transitions to understand how pacing and continuity shape the final narrative.

  4. Understand Visual Storytelling -

    Interpret how framing, composition, and shot progression contribute to compelling narratives and audience engagement.

  5. Recall Film Production Terminology -

    Learn and remember industry-standard terms to confidently discuss and collaborate on a film set or during post-production.

  6. Assess Post-Production Workflow -

    Gauge your understanding of editing, sound design, and color grading processes that complete a professional film project.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Composition and the Rule of Thirds -

    Mastering the rule of thirds helps you frame shots like a pro by dividing the frame into a 3×3 grid and placing key elements along the lines. This simple guideline, backed by visual studies at USC School of Cinematic Arts, makes your scenes more balanced and engaging. Think of the grid like a tic-tac-toe board - align your subject where the lines intersect for instant visual interest.

  2. Three-Point Lighting Basics -

    The three-point lighting setup uses a key light, fill light, and backlight to sculpt your subject and control shadows, as recommended by the American Society of Cinematographers. A common 2:1 key-to-fill ratio keeps your subjects well-lit without looking flat, giving depth and dimension to every shot. Remember KEF: Key, Fill, and Backlight for Efficient Framing.

  3. 180-Degree Rule and Continuity -

    The 180-degree rule ensures consistent screen direction by keeping the camera on one side of an imaginary line between characters, a standard taught in SMPTE guides. Crossing this axis can confuse viewers, so always plan your shot list to maintain clear spatial relationships. Mnemonic: "Stay on your side to let the story glide."

  4. Editing Techniques: L-Cuts and J-Cuts -

    L-cuts and J-cuts smoothly transition audio and visuals by extending sound from one scene into the next, a staple in film schools like the New York Film Academy. Using an L-cut lets dialogue from Scene A continue over Scene B's visuals, while a J-cut starts the next scene's audio early. Practice these in Adobe Premiere Pro or Avid to keep your storytelling dynamic and immersive.

  5. Color Grading and LUTs -

    Color grading refines mood and tone by adjusting contrast, hue, and saturation in post-production, following best practices from DaVinci Resolve's official training. Apply a technical LUT (Lookup Table) to standardize your footage, then tweak primary and secondary corrections to match your director's vision. A handy mnemonic: "Lift the Blacks, Tame the Highlights, Boost the Mids."

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