Deck 9: The Theory of Linear Structure

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.

Answer 1

C

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.

Answer 2

D

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.

Answer 3

B

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Question 11

Structure begins with postproduction and editing.

Question 12

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

Question 13

When working on a documentary, Ken Burns often limits 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.

Question 15

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

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.

Question 17

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

Question 18

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

Question 19

Sound bites are sections of audio clipped from an interview.

Question 20

Media conventions must never be broken.

Question 21

Single-camera documentaries also use continuity editing.