"Test Your Film Skill-Level" - very cool!
 

Hey all, answer these questions and see where you're at with knowledge. Be truthful with your answers, so you can really find out. Also, be truthful when you post here!

I got 54 right....not bad, but not great!
http://www.theworkshops.com/filmwork...sp?SchoolID=21

Heh, I clocked in at 52...

I'm bringing up trail position at a remarkably amatuer score of {Edit}88, yeah I think it was an 88 {End edit}. Very effective marketing campaign as I think I really should take one of the courses they are offering. I'll demand a retest and recount of course.

; 0

Cool test, I also got a 52. The same score as a Wrangler, that really makes my day!

Got 56 and I know nothing about film! Now if there had been more questions on video.....

Graeme

Your Score is 44.

took this a while back and that was my result (better than I thought)

37?!? Hey, that sounds familiar...

That was fun. I got 64 and I disagree with a few answers, but still a fun test. I also posted a question without answer (I'm sure they know it though....)

43... Does that make me lame, or just so damned cool because I'm up with modern digital technology that all those film questions become irrelevant - it's so old school and yesterday....I think I know the answer. :)

Aaron

Christopher, that link is fantastic. I got a 50, so now I'm going to have to look up all the terms I didn't recognize. But I will say I've never been on a set where the key grip was in charge of safety - maybe in theory, but never in practice.

do i want a company that can't spell teach me filmmaking? it's supposed to be "affect" not effect.


i coulda sworn that in the black pirate starring douglas fairbanks, they used a technicolor process that was only 2 colors cause it was the first popular film using technicolor. later on they invented 3 color and it was much smoother. is this true? if so, then the question has to be scratched out because it doesn't ask "when" technicolor is using different color processes.

i got a 37/73, does that make me a film-retard?

63 .. must be the getting older ? or too tired ? missed simple ones !!!

Aaron! If you are cool, I'm veritably Artic! There's HEAPS I don't know!

I got totalled by the filmic stuff! FUBAR-ed , completely . .. ughhhh....

Grazie

Grazie, you crack me up. (I'll help you build an igloo.) :)

The only barney I know is a purple dinosaur, and I've never heard of pushing film.

41

Hmm. I thought Barney was the (short) friend of Fred, wasn't he?

I pushed a lot of film around on my editing table and into the bin, back in the days of Super 8.

50 for me.

EDIT: By the way, I put the DP above the line. Wishful thinking I guess.

Lorinda - pleasure.

Your 41 is STILL too hot - you're more temperate compared to my glacial ice blue. But I did get into double figures - and they are both MINE ! !

Grazie

It's funny, I've never even shot "film" other than 8mm stuff. I just read so much that I knew some of the "film" answers. But, on a practical level..I've never used the knowledge before. I'm sure that I'd get an F if I were in charge of a real "film" shoot. Video on the other hand....I know quite a bit and have real world experience.

Just my opinion, but spending lots of dough on learning film related stuff seems to be getting dated quickly. If you really want something worth the money...it seems to me that learning HD inside and out will be more valuable as time goes on. I know Hollywood still shoots on film everyday, but HD for young people going to college seems like a better bet. If I were 20 years old I'd be spending all my time writing and learning HD filmmaking inside and out..

The test does prove one thing...some of us are going to summer school. lol

51 out of 73 - 4th level. I don't feel too bad about that.

That's partially true - the Black Pirate used a di-color process that was the forerunner to Technicolor and led to the invention of what became 'true' Technicolor, but isn't itself actually Technicolor.

So I got a 49. That's not too bad for a rising sophmore!

There were a number of things I just never came across and a couple I clicked on too fast and should have gotten correct.

A couple of questions I think were open to interpretation, so those were trick questions.Still, it was an interesting test.

I have to disagree that learning "film" stuff is dated or irrelevant; at any level whether you are 12 or 40, absorbing knowledge is beneficial. Anyone who avoids learning all there is to filmmaking (video, film, digital media) is setting themselves up for a skill level far below those who do take the time to learn every avenue available?

Compare any film/filmmaker of today with those of yesterday and tell me which/who compares? Does anyone think Lucas would have gotten so far with HD if he wasn't first a "film" maker and understood its nuances? Even RRodriguez had to start with film because you cannot belittle its importance - personally I do not like his movies as they seem too studio built, lack realism. Compare Tarantino to RR, who makes better movies? Who uses what?

Seems to me, people want to arrive at DP or Director status without paying their dues or putting in the work required to really achieve the level those appelations deserve. Remember as well, there exists filmmakers outside of the US and many people do not support the view worldwide that HD is comparable to film just yet - its a horse of a different color.

Learning is supposed to be cumulative, not exclusionary. So how could anyone call themselves a filmmaker if they know absolutely nothing about "film" making which is far more than just the use of "film" to capture an image.

Personally I am very excited at this new phase cinema is going through, and I think HD will become a viable and valid medium on par with film depending on your project and ultimate goal. But, to discount film at this stage seems premature to me.

For the record, I've never shot HD, but I've done everything from Digibeta to VHS, 16mm and 35mm (though I was only a line producer on the 35mm). I write, direct, produce, edit, shoot, light, composite, finish. So I've done it all. Film still blows away HD/video. And because I'm comfortable around both film and video shoots I can be a part of far more projects than someone who can only understand HD/Video. I'm even working on a DV to Film feature right now and I worked on a Digital-S feature a couple years ago.

I can use my skills regardless of the medium chosen for any project I'm a part of; why would I want to limit myself?

Just my opinion, though I feel strongly about it and I am a film student at present. Feel free to disagree.

Between my not being a great tester (testee?), some "trick" questions (Yi Fong is right, there was a 2-strip Technicolor) and a few I just plain got wrong, I turned in a 65. Oh well.

Was a bit disconsolate until I forwarded it to a DP friend whose last movie had an $80 million budget; he got a 63. We'd both like to think that it's one of those "book smart" type of tests...!

I should have charged admission! lol

Hey Krystian, I'm standing by my statement. Learning "film" is a crap shoot because of the cost involved in making a film. If you know film that's great, but if you are skilled in HD production the future is very bright.

You can definately get on film shoots and even become a film DP, but it's way easier to get on "video" shoots and get paid for it. It's always better to learn where it all came from..of course. But, practically speaking...learning HD "film" production is definately not a crap shoot. The ratio of my opportunities to work on "film" shoots versus "video" shoots has been like 100 to 1. I've definately been in the right places for it, but "film" crews are very tight knit and moving up that chain is different than video chains. Ask Charles Papert...he's a pro film and video guy. I bet he'll say profession "film" and "video" gigs are different. I'm not talking 1 day gigs..I'm talking budgeted productions.

By the way, saying that you have to shoot "film" or you ain't a filmmaker isn't going to fly today. If you want to write books does that mean you're not a book writer unless you only use a pencil and paper? No, you can use a computer or any tool you can get your hands on...you're still a book writer.

I believe "filmmaker" today is a term applied to anyone using film or video to tell stories. Where that "film" goes via distribution is another topic.

Hi Charles!
There's the real deal--you guys prove yourselves every day. (OT: Still waiting for The Perfect Sleep to hit theatres! Can't wait to see your work.)

@ Krystian: "people want to arrive at DP or Director status without paying their dues or putting in the work required to really achieve the level those appelations deserve." Shoot, I'd be the water girl if they'd let me on a set! (Oh, wait, that's basketball.)
The film world is still more "romantic" than all this digital stuff, and I trust it'll stick around for a long time. But one question for you, "at any level whether you are 12 or 40, absorbing knowledge is beneficial" -- how come you drew the line at 40? ;)

@ Ranier: "Hmm. I thought Barney was the (short) friend of Fred, wasn't he?
I pushed a lot of film around on my editing table and into the bin, back in the days of Super 8."
Funny! And how could I forget my beloved Barney Fife? To be honest, it was so late last night when I took the test I still don't know what a barney is. But I'll be danged if I'm wading through that thing again--it's too long!

Lorinda,

I always thought a barney was a blimp. May be Charles can explain the difference?

Agreed, Krystian!

Two years ago I said the same about digital still photography and 35mm film photography. Today, however...

It's sooo exiting to see the possibilities of digital cinematography. Then again, cinematography is so much more about storytelling than technical means, that I am still quite comfortable with DV.

Barneys and blimps both are used to muffle camera noise--a blimp is a solid assembly that completely surrounds the camera and lens, whereas a barney is a magazine cover made of material.

I know nothing about film - started shooting video only a few years ago. Was upset with a couple I missed, the rest I didn't expect that I would know. 25 for me - with a majority of I Don't Knows. Actually missed two I thought I would know.

I'm not sure about Fred and Barney, but the barn doors DO keep the cows inside! (the rest is just "smart movie talk"!) (;-))<

Steve, its not just you, I edited myself in a 60 point bump above, just because I was the only sub-50 score. The quiz didn't ask a thing about editing in Vegas or shooting with an XL2 so I was as lost as last years Easter eggs. It was still fun and educational.

Yuck! I know NOTHING!!!! Better bone up on my file knowledge, I've just been in the DV world too long. Lets just say that my score was under 50 but above 20.

Wow, I did so badly I'm going to try again when I'm sober.
(still did better than some here though :)

So me getting a 44 is not too shabby afterall! If someone told me I would be 1 point away from a Level 4 Workshop I would have scoffed (I'm still scoffing in fact).

It's all this hanging around dvinfo and dvxuser.

Hey Christopher.

Sorry man, I think you mis-read my post - well, part of it anyway with your reference to "By the way, saying that you have to shoot "film" or you ain't a filmmaker isn't going to fly today." Which refers to what I said "Learning is supposed to be cumulative, not exclusionary. So how could anyone call themselves a filmmaker if they know absolutely nothing about "film" making which is far more than just the use of "film" to capture an image." Note my words - I said filmmaking is far more than just the use of "film" to capture an image. So in no way was I saying that anyone has to cut film to be a filmmaker - you just mis-read what I said. It's all good though, :-)

As for what you said, I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm only saying I would think it advisable to learn as much about filmmaking as possible to be as skilled as you can be and to be as comfortable in as many different scenarios as possible - sorta like the cub scouts, be prepared!

If I may draw an analogy to painting for a moment: I believe that filmmaking is an artform and painters chose different mediums to create their works. Some painters prefer horse hair, some prefer sable. Some painters like oils, some like acrylics. At the end of the day, it's still art. So whether VHS, DV, HD, Film, is used to create a work by someone it still has merit and it is still a "film."

However, still using painting, the textures one can create and the expression one can achieve with oils or film is greater in some ways (though not more relevant and not in all cases) than water colors or Video. Of course, oils and film are harder mediums to work with and truly bring out the best expression of skill a person or persons can at that moment in time because they demand that dedication.

But, as a painter/filmmaker I would be cheating myself if I did not explore all the mediums there are, to learn what I can do with them, how well I can express my views with each and what adjustments I have to make for each to work for me, and not against me. If I never knew the effects film can create how then could I try to achieve the same with video, since we know that film has greater tolerance for error than video? Even a simple dissolve on film is more organic looking than a video dissolve, yet we have filters today which re-create that look on video: without film we would not have known what we wanted to see and that effect would probably not exist as we know it.

The knowledge the use of celluloid in filmmaking has brought to us is interchangeable whether film stock or video tape is used, but to truly understand why certain things are as they are I believe one must experience both and thereby become stronger, more skilled, better able to achieve their purpose "regardless" of the medium. Experiment, make mistakes, you will benefit from the experience whether film or video is used, but why not benefit from both, instead of one?

Hope you understand my view better?

Hey Lorinda 12 and 40 were just numbers I pulled out of the air, research shows people learn up to the age of 75, at which point you do lose some cognitive ability - hey, I'm a psych major as well :-)

Hey Rainer, I hear you man. I was speaking to a photog friend who just totally went digital; he still likes certain things about traditional film, but said most of his clients never knew the difference so for him it made sense to save money and switch!

As for what's a Barney, isn't it that talking purple dinosaur? Sings some lame-o songs that kids like to sing along to? ;-)

There is this saying I'm sure we've all heard a couple times: "May you live in interesting times." BTW, it is not chinese, contrary to popular opinion. Digital, Film, whatever comes next, I'm just happy to be here and experiencing all of this. The future certainly looks good from where I sit!

Peace.

Dylan, bragging about beating some of us isn't even enough of an excuse to get drunk again! %~}

Not a problem, Krystian; I just threw that at you for fun because I'm 45. But I'm glad you added that research--it's nice to know that I've got a few years left.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to look back and re-read the definitions of barneys and blimps. I've forgotten what they are. :)

Technically, that IS technicolor. Check out the official info (right from the horse's mouth to speak). click on the 1920s and page2 about Black Pirate:

http://www.technicolor.com/Cultures/...-074298A2CACE}

the initial "technicolor" was a di color process when it began in 1916. then became tri later on in 1926. thus the question in the above "film school" is vastly flawed =). man oh man, i would warn against anyone going to that film school ;).

I got a 33. But most of the stuff I didn't know I knew I didn't know, so did I really get them wrong :)

Neat test
Joe

Joe, your comment reminds me of Johari's Window. The four panes in the window are:

1. Things I Know
2. Things I Don't Know That I Know
3. Things I Know I Don't Know
4. Things I Don't Know I Don't Know

The panes are typically arranged:
1 2
3 4

The idea is to be self-aware of the information and topics you know and don't know. Obviously, like me, you were aware that there was much content in pane number three.

patrick, in that case, i would be on the 5th panel of "duuuuuuuh, i dunno man." =).