The History Of Motion Pictures Knowledge Test

Hitchcock's leading ladies were not typically emotionally warm and morally pure brunettes. This statement implies that Hitchcock often casted brunettes in his films who were emotionally warm and morally pure, which is not true. Hitchcock's leading ladies were often portrayed as complex and mysterious characters, and their moral purity or warmth varied depending on the role. Additionally, Hitchcock worked with actresses of different hair colors, not just brunettes. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

The statement is false. Chaplin's CITY LIGHTS does have dialogue, even though it was released before the introduction of synchronized sound in Hollywood. The film uses intertitles, which are text screens that appear throughout the movie to convey dialogue and important information to the audience. This was a common technique used in silent films to provide dialogue and narration. Therefore, the film does have dialogue, just not in the form of synchronized sound.

Cesare Zavattini's principles of neorealism include representing the political and economic conditions of the working class, shooting on location with untrained actors, and showing the unvarnished reality of life. However, one of his principles is not to avoid mundane aspects of life. Neorealism aims to capture the everyday experiences and struggles of ordinary people, including the mundane aspects of their lives. By portraying the mundane, neorealism seeks to provide a genuine and authentic depiction of reality.

German Expression is not principally concerned with realism. German Expressionism was an art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by the use of bold colors, distorted forms, and exaggerated emotions. It aimed to express subjective feelings and emotions rather than depict reality accurately. Therefore, the statement that German Expression is principally concerned with realism is incorrect.

The statement is true because The Great Train Robbery, a 1903 American silent short film, is indeed notable for its use of cross-cutting and simple pans and tilts. Cross-cutting refers to the technique of alternating between two or more scenes happening simultaneously, creating tension and building suspense. The film effectively uses this technique during the train robbery sequence. Additionally, the film employs simple pans and tilts, which are basic camera movements that help to capture the action and enhance the storytelling. These techniques were groundbreaking at the time and contributed to the film's significance in cinematic history.

Vertical integration refers to a studio controlling distribution and exhibition of its films. This means that the studio not only produces the films but also handles their distribution and exhibition. By doing so, the studio has complete control over the entire process, from production to screening. This can be beneficial for the studio as it allows them to maximize profits and have more control over the release and marketing of their films. Therefore, the statement "Vertical integration refers to a studio controlling distribution and exhibition of its films" is true.

Chaplin's "Tramp" character is not best known for his steady, unshakable demeanor in the face of every obstacle. In fact, the character is often portrayed as bumbling, clumsy, and easily flustered by the challenges he encounters. His reactions to obstacles are typically comedic and exaggerated, showcasing his vulnerability and the chaotic nature of his circumstances.

In the film "North by Northwest," Hitchcock uses the closing image of a train entering a tunnel as a symbol for sex. This closing shot suggests a sexual encounter between the two main characters, as the train entering the tunnel represents the act of penetration. This use of symbolism adds a layer of intrigue and sensuality to the film's ending, highlighting Hitchcock's mastery in creating suspense and conveying hidden meanings through visual imagery.

The film "M" is notable for utilizing a subtle sound element (whistling) to drive a major plot development. In the film, the whistling of a serial killer becomes a haunting and suspenseful motif that creates tension and drives the narrative forward. The sound of the whistle serves as a chilling reminder of the killer's presence and adds an eerie atmosphere to the film.

"Roshomon" is the correct answer because it was the film that first brought international attention to Japanese cinema by winning the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It is a classic film directed by Akira Kurosawa and is known for its innovative storytelling technique, which presents multiple perspectives of the same event.

Truffaut is the correct answer because he co-wrote the film Breathless and also wrote the essay "A Certain Tendency in the French Cinema" where he first advocated for auteur theory.

Akira Kurosawa is well known for being influenced by classic Westerns and subsequently influencing future films in that genre. Kurosawa's films often incorporated elements of Western storytelling and cinematography, such as wide shots and epic landscapes. His film "Seven Samurai" in particular, which is often considered a masterpiece, drew inspiration from Western films like "The Magnificent Seven." Kurosawa's influence on the Western genre can be seen in the works of directors like Sergio Leone and Quentin Tarantino, who have cited him as a major influence.

Rebecca marked Alfred Hitchcock's American debut and won him the Best Picture Oscar. The film was released in 1940 and is based on the novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. It tells the story of a young woman who marries a wealthy widower, only to be haunted by the memory of his deceased wife, Rebecca. The film is known for its atmospheric cinematography and suspenseful storytelling, cementing Hitchcock's reputation as a master of suspense in Hollywood.

The continuity script emerged as a tool through which the costs of production could be controlled in the Central Producer System. This system involves a central producer who oversees and manages the entire production process, including budgeting and cost control. The continuity script, which outlines the sequence of scenes and details important production elements, allows the central producer to have a clear understanding of the production requirements and make informed decisions to control costs effectively.

Ince is the correct answer because he applied Taylor's scientific management theories to film production and created the continuity script. This means that Ince utilized Taylor's principles of efficiency and organization in order to streamline the filmmaking process and ensure continuity in the final product. This innovation had a significant impact on the film industry and is attributed to Ince.

In the film "Sherlock, Jr.", the protagonist daydreams about stepping up onto the screen and becoming part of a movie. This is evident from the title character's vivid imagination and his ability to physically enter the world of the film he is watching. The film explores the theme of escapism and blurs the line between reality and fantasy, making it a fitting choice for the correct answer.

Fred Ott's Sneeze is considered the first copyrighted film in the U.S. because it was the first film to be registered for copyright protection with the United States Copyright Office. This short film, created by Thomas Edison's laboratory in 1894, features Fred Ott, an employee of Edison, sneezing. It was a simple and humorous film that showcased the early experimentation with motion pictures. By registering the film for copyright, Edison's laboratory established the legal protection and ownership of their creation, making it the first copyrighted film in the U.S.

According to Eisenstein, overtonal montage is distinguishable from tonal montage by the collective calculation of all the piece's appeals. This means that overtonal montage considers the overall effect and impact of the different elements in a montage, taking into account their combined appeal to the audience. In contrast, tonal montage focuses more on the individual emotional impact of each element. Therefore, overtonal montage involves a more comprehensive and strategic approach in creating a montage.

The statement is true because the Phi Phenomenon is a psychological phenomenon that causes the human brain to perceive movement between two static images. This is often seen in animations or movies where a series of still images are presented in quick succession, giving the illusion of movement. The Phi Phenomenon is a result of the brain's ability to fill in gaps and make sense of visual stimuli, creating the perception of motion.

The human brain perceives the illusion of movement at 16 fps when viewing a sequence of static images. This is because the brain needs a minimum frame rate of 16 frames per second to perceive smooth motion. Anything below this frame rate may result in a flickering or choppy appearance.

Charlie Chaplin did not found the Keystone studio. The Keystone studio was actually founded by Mack Sennett in 1912. Charlie Chaplin joined Keystone in 1913 as an actor and quickly became one of the studio's most popular and successful stars. However, he did not have any involvement in the founding of the studio.

Chaplin started a company called United Artists with fellow celebrities Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and D. W. Griffith. This company was founded in 1919 and was formed to give the artists more control over their work and the profits it generated. United Artists became a successful and influential film studio, producing and distributing many notable films throughout its history.

The statement is false because most of the French New Wave directors actually began as film critics before becoming filmmakers. They were part of the Cahiers du Cinéma, a French film magazine, where they wrote extensively about films and developed their theories on cinema. It was their background as film critics that influenced their filmmaking style and led to the innovative and unconventional techniques that characterized the French New Wave movement.

Cinecittà is indeed the name of an enormous state-funded film studio in Rome. It is one of the largest film studios in Europe and has been the set for numerous famous movies and TV shows. The studio has a rich history and has played a significant role in the Italian film industry.

Carl Mayer is indeed principally known for his contributions to Kammerspielfilm. Kammerspielfilm, meaning "chamber play film" in German, was a style of filmmaking that emerged in the 1920s in Germany. It focused on intimate, character-driven stories set in realistic and often claustrophobic settings. Mayer, along with director Joe May, is credited with coining the term "Kammerspielfilm" and popularizing this style of filmmaking. Some of his notable works in this genre include "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" (1920) and "The Last Laugh" (1924). Therefore, the statement "Carl Mayer is principally known for his contributions to Kammerspielfilm" is true.

Fred Ott's Sneeze is considered to be the first copyrighted film in the U.S. This film, produced by Thomas Edison's company in 1894, features Fred Ott, an employee of Edison's laboratory, sneezing. It is a short, 5-second film that was recorded using the Kinetograph, an early motion picture camera. The copyright for this film was registered on January 9, 1894, making it the earliest known copyrighted film in the United States.

Hitchcock's work is known for several major traits, such as appearing in a small cameo role, chronological shooting, and detailed screenplays and storyboards. However, one major trait that is not associated with Hitchcock's work is encouraging a collaborative "method" style of performance from his actors. Hitchcock was known for his meticulous planning and control over every aspect of his films, including the performances of his actors. He preferred to have complete control over the performances and did not encourage improvisation or collaborative input from his actors.

Psycho is the correct answer because Alfred Hitchcock used montage editing techniques to imply nudity and extreme violence without actually showing them on screen. By quickly cutting between shots, he created the illusion of more explicit content while adhering to the strict production code rules of the time. This allowed Hitchcock to push the boundaries of what could be shown in a film without directly violating the code.

The climactic conclusion of The Birth of a Nation does not depict the KKK riding to the rescue of former slaves being attacked by Reconstructionists. In fact, the movie glorifies the KKK and portrays them as heroes who save the South from the Reconstruction period. This portrayal is highly controversial and historically inaccurate, as the KKK was a racist and violent organization that targeted African Americans. The movie's depiction of the KKK contributed to the perpetuation of racial stereotypes and the normalization of racism.

Hitchcock learned lighting and staging from Murnau while visiting the set of The Last Laugh.

Eisenstein himself stated that the purpose of comparing the deaths of striking workers to the slaughter of cattle in Strike was to avoid overacting among the extras, to eliminate the inevitable falseness that arises from staged death scenes, and to extract the maximum effect of bloody horror.

The Latham Loop is the correct answer because it refers to a mechanism that was invented by William and Gray Latham in 1895. The Latham Loop allowed film projectors to run longer films without breaking or tearing the film. This invention was eventually purchased by Biograph, a film production company, and helped usher in an era of longer films by ensuring the smooth and uninterrupted projection of films.

The statement is true because synchronized sound pictures did indeed exist in the early work of Edison and Dickson. Edison and his team developed the Kinetophone, which synchronized sound recordings with moving pictures, in the late 19th century. This early form of synchronized sound pictures laid the foundation for the development of sound in motion pictures in the following decades.

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Cahiers du Cinéma is a renowned journal of film criticism that was founded by Bazin. It is not a French café, an Italian state film, or a movie studio in Rome. This journal has played a significant role in shaping the field of film criticism and has been influential in promoting the auteur theory.

According to Tom Gunning, the defining characteristic of the cinema of attractions is exhibitionism. This means that the focus of this type of cinema is on showcasing and highlighting visual spectacle, special effects, and thrilling or sensational elements to captivate and entertain the audience. Unlike traditional narrative-driven cinema, the cinema of attractions prioritizes the immediate impact and visual appeal of the film rather than a complex storyline or intellectual depth. It aims to create a sense of wonder and awe through its exhibitionistic approach.

Shallow focus is not a major stylistic mark of CITIZEN KANE. The film is known for its innovative use of deep focus, where both the foreground and background are in sharp focus. This technique allows for greater visual depth and detail, which is a significant stylistic element in the film.

Hitchcock served as an art director for Ufa from 1924-25.

The dramatic improvement in image quality between Monkeyshines and Dickson Greeting is primarily due to shifting from a cylinder system to the Kodak system. This change in technology allowed for better image capture and reproduction, resulting in a significant improvement in the overall quality of the film.

The Kinetograph set many permanent standards for motion picture cameras, but one of the features that did not go on to become a standard in the industry was the 48fps (frames per second) frame rate. While 35mm film and 4 sprocket holes did become standard in the industry, the use of 48fps as a frame rate did not gain widespread adoption.

The correct answer is The Kiss for its scandalous on-screen sensuality. This film was the first to generate public outcry and calls for censorship due to its provocative and scandalous portrayal of sensuality. Despite the controversy, it was still highly popular among audiences, indicating a fascination with the taboo and a desire for more explicit content in films.

The given statement is false. Color tinting actually involves applying dye to a black and white photograph to add color to specific areas of the image, rather than dipping a developed positive print into dye.

Cesare Zavattini is the correct answer because he was not only an important neorealist film theorist but also the screenwriter of Bicycle Thieves. This film, directed by Vittorio De Sica, is considered one of the most influential works of Italian neorealism. Zavattini's collaboration with De Sica on this film and other neorealist works helped shape the movement and its focus on portraying the struggles and realities of ordinary people.

George Melies is the correct answer because he was a filmmaker known for his innovative use of special effects, particularly in his film "A Trip to the Moon" (1902). However, despite his groundbreaking techniques, Melies never fully recognized the limitations of his theatrical staging. This suggests that while he was ahead of his time in terms of visual effects, he may not have fully understood how to adapt his filmmaking style to the evolving medium of cinema.

Edison introduced a synchronized sound system in 1913 that connected the projector with a phonograph via a system of pulleys. This system was called the Kinetophone.

The correct answer is False. HUAC, or the House Un-American Activities Committee, was not the self-censoring body for the Hollywood studios. It was a congressional committee that investigated alleged communist activities in the entertainment industry during the 1940s and 1950s. The self-censoring body for the Hollywood studios was the Production Code Administration, which enforced the Motion Picture Production Code.

"All Quiet on the Western Front" is notable for its spare dialogue and action sequences shot silently with sound effects added in post. This means that the film has minimal dialogue and relies more on visual storytelling and action sequences. The action sequences were filmed without sound, and the sound effects were added later during the post-production process. This technique may have been used to create a more realistic and immersive experience for the audience, allowing them to focus on the visuals and the emotional impact of the story.

The given statement is false. Bicycle Thieves was not directed by Roberto Rossellini but by Vittorio De Sica. While the film is considered a masterpiece of Italian neorealism, it did not inspire the beginning of the neorealist movement. The movement had already begun in the late 1940s with films like Rome, Open City (directed by Rossellini) and Paisan. Bicycle Thieves, released in 1948, was one of the most significant films of the neorealist movement, but it did not initiate it.

Florence Lawrence was the first true "celebrity" movie star known to the public by her real name. She gained fame in the early 1900s and was one of the first actors to be publicly recognized and acknowledged by audiences. She was a popular and influential figure in the early days of silent films, paving the way for the concept of movie stars as we know them today.

The statement is false. The U.S. vs. Universal case did not lead to the end of the studio system. The case was actually about antitrust violations by the major film studios, including Universal, which led to a consent decree that required the studios to divest themselves of their theater chains. While this case did have an impact on the industry, it did not directly result in the end of the studio system.