QUIZ 2 CINEMATOGRAPHY QUESTIONS ANSWERED CORRECTLY LATEST UPDATE 2026
Key light - Answers any light that is the primary source of illumination. There can be more than one at
a time and it can come from any direction.
Fill light - Answers a light you use to fill in shadows if needed. This does not play into exposure in a
major way. This can come from a reflector that reflects the key light. It should not cast a 2nd shadow.
Back light - Answers this is used when separation is needed between character and background. It
creates a rim of highlight around the subject. It does not affect exposure. Lighter objects create less
backlight and Translucent objects need backlight to be visible. This is critical when using green screen.
It is normally set high, If backlight isn't high it could throw shadow on what you are looking at (it
would look unnatural)
Eyelight / Catch light - Answers Any light used to add a glint of highlight to eyes. This is done because
people tend to feel more comfortable when they can see the eyes of the subject. Sometimes this is
done by bouncing backlight. This draws you in and makes you feel more comfortable.
kicker/rim light - Answers similar to back light. It adds a rim to one side of the subject and can be used
to highlight objects. It is normally set lower to one side of the subject and adds separation and depth
to 3d objects.
Side lighting - Answers a style of lamp placement where the main source of light is set 90 degrees off
axis to the lens. This gives automatic contrast and causes the subject's shadow to fall out of frame.
This can be high contrast or filled in.
Practical lights - Answers lights that come from a source in the shot. This can be candles, scones, ect.
They are typically not the only thing actually providing light, but rather are used to motivate the light
that the audience can see. Set decorators and art department are in charge of these. Electricians
under the art department are in charge of making them work.
Hard light - Answers can connote mystery and danger. It is good for hiding information on scene. It
emphasises texture and reveals shape. It draws attention to itself and creates hard shadows. Easier to
control.
Soft light - Answers Connotes comedy and happiness. It is more open and hides texture. It is more
difficult to control. It feels natural, modern, and realistic.
Relative size of source and subject - Answers the hardness or softness of light depends on the size of
subject vs the size and nearness of the source. The larger the object compared to the light, the softer
the light is going to appear. The smaller the object compared to the light, the harsher the light will
appear.
Shadow quality and relative size - Answers the closer the light is to an object, the softer the light will
appear. The further away it is the harsher it will appear.
Diffusing - Answers scatters and redistributes light to create a softer look.
Reflecting - Answers by doing this and bouncing light you are increasing the size of light by naturally
diffusing it. This makes the light appear softer.
Ellipsoidal (leko) reflector spotlight - Answers a kind of light designed for theater that film makers
decided were useful. They can precisely shape a beam. They have Edison power cables. They are built
for the degree of beam they can make. Uses a dimmer box to turn on and off instead of a switch.
Downside is that color fringing can occur around the edge of the light that you have to clean. There is
a clip in the front of the lens to keep gobo's (singles, doubles, ect.) on. There is a thumb screw on the
bottom of the light that you have to unscrew to focus the beam. Another thumb screw behind the
lens's midpoint helps you rotate the light.
Yoke (Leko) - Answers handle of light. The part the light is actually attached to
Shutters (Leko) - Answers adjustable metal blades that shape the beam. Located inside the metal
hosing of the light. There are handles that stick out of the light and can be used to august these.
Shape the light with straight lines.
Gobo (Leko) - Answers a thin circular disk typically made of metal that is inserted into an ellipsoidal to
project specific images, patterns or textures into the lights beam. These typically go in the slot behind
the iris
Iris (Leko) - Answers - an accessory for an ellipsoidal that controls the size of the circular beam. Gets
placed inside a slot in the light then controlled with a leaver.
Key light - Answers any light that is the primary source of illumination. There can be more than one at
a time and it can come from any direction.
Fill light - Answers a light you use to fill in shadows if needed. This does not play into exposure in a
major way. This can come from a reflector that reflects the key light. It should not cast a 2nd shadow.
Back light - Answers this is used when separation is needed between character and background. It
creates a rim of highlight around the subject. It does not affect exposure. Lighter objects create less
backlight and Translucent objects need backlight to be visible. This is critical when using green screen.
It is normally set high, If backlight isn't high it could throw shadow on what you are looking at (it
would look unnatural)
Eyelight / Catch light - Answers Any light used to add a glint of highlight to eyes. This is done because
people tend to feel more comfortable when they can see the eyes of the subject. Sometimes this is
done by bouncing backlight. This draws you in and makes you feel more comfortable.
kicker/rim light - Answers similar to back light. It adds a rim to one side of the subject and can be used
to highlight objects. It is normally set lower to one side of the subject and adds separation and depth
to 3d objects.
Side lighting - Answers a style of lamp placement where the main source of light is set 90 degrees off
axis to the lens. This gives automatic contrast and causes the subject's shadow to fall out of frame.
This can be high contrast or filled in.
Practical lights - Answers lights that come from a source in the shot. This can be candles, scones, ect.
They are typically not the only thing actually providing light, but rather are used to motivate the light
that the audience can see. Set decorators and art department are in charge of these. Electricians
under the art department are in charge of making them work.
Hard light - Answers can connote mystery and danger. It is good for hiding information on scene. It
emphasises texture and reveals shape. It draws attention to itself and creates hard shadows. Easier to
control.
Soft light - Answers Connotes comedy and happiness. It is more open and hides texture. It is more
difficult to control. It feels natural, modern, and realistic.
Relative size of source and subject - Answers the hardness or softness of light depends on the size of
subject vs the size and nearness of the source. The larger the object compared to the light, the softer
the light is going to appear. The smaller the object compared to the light, the harsher the light will
appear.
Shadow quality and relative size - Answers the closer the light is to an object, the softer the light will
appear. The further away it is the harsher it will appear.
Diffusing - Answers scatters and redistributes light to create a softer look.
Reflecting - Answers by doing this and bouncing light you are increasing the size of light by naturally
diffusing it. This makes the light appear softer.
Ellipsoidal (leko) reflector spotlight - Answers a kind of light designed for theater that film makers
decided were useful. They can precisely shape a beam. They have Edison power cables. They are built
for the degree of beam they can make. Uses a dimmer box to turn on and off instead of a switch.
Downside is that color fringing can occur around the edge of the light that you have to clean. There is
a clip in the front of the lens to keep gobo's (singles, doubles, ect.) on. There is a thumb screw on the
bottom of the light that you have to unscrew to focus the beam. Another thumb screw behind the
lens's midpoint helps you rotate the light.
Yoke (Leko) - Answers handle of light. The part the light is actually attached to
Shutters (Leko) - Answers adjustable metal blades that shape the beam. Located inside the metal
hosing of the light. There are handles that stick out of the light and can be used to august these.
Shape the light with straight lines.
Gobo (Leko) - Answers a thin circular disk typically made of metal that is inserted into an ellipsoidal to
project specific images, patterns or textures into the lights beam. These typically go in the slot behind
the iris
Iris (Leko) - Answers - an accessory for an ellipsoidal that controls the size of the circular beam. Gets
placed inside a slot in the light then controlled with a leaver.
