Grade 10 media technology – Digital Video Production Quiz
1. What is the main purpose of pre-production in digital video production?
Pre-production is the planning phase before filming: you write the script, create storyboards, plan locations, cast actors, and make a shooting schedule so production runs smoothly.
2. Which microphone is best for recording a single person's interview on location in a noisy environment?
A lavalier (lapel) mic is clipped close to the speaker's mouth, giving clear voice capture and reducing background noise, making it ideal for interviews on location.
3. What is a storyboard used for in video production?
A storyboard is a visual plan with drawings or frames that show the sequence, camera angles, and composition of shots before filming begins.
4. Which frame rate is traditionally used for broadcast in countries that follow the PAL system like Kenya?
PAL-standard broadcasts typically use 25 frames per second, which matches electrical mains frequency in PAL regions and has been widely used in Kenya for TV.
5. What is the common widescreen aspect ratio for most modern video and TV?
16:9 is the standard widescreen aspect ratio used for modern HD and digital broadcasts, fitting most TVs and online video platforms.
6. Which file format is commonly used for high-quality video editing and playback on many computers?
MOV is a video container format (developed by Apple) that holds high-quality video and audio and is commonly used in editing and playback workflows.
7. What is B-roll footage?
B-roll is supplementary footage (locations, reactions, details) used to cover edits, add context and make the story visually engaging.
8. What does setting the white balance on a camera do?
White balance corrects colour casts from different lighting (sunlight, fluorescent, tungsten) so white objects look neutral and colours are accurate.
9. Which shot typically frames a person from the waist up?
A medium shot usually frames a subject from the waist or hips up, commonly used for conversations to show body language and facial expression.
10. Which lighting setup is commonly used to reduce harsh shadows and give balanced light on a subject?
Three-point lighting uses a key light for main illumination, a fill light to soften shadows, and a back light to separate the subject from the background for balanced results.
11. In video editing, what does the term 'cut' commonly mean?
A cut is a basic edit that immediately switches from one shot to the next and is the most common transition in storytelling.
12. What is a codec in digital video production?
A codec (compressor-decompressor) reduces file size for storage or transmission and decodes it for playback or editing.
13. Why should you keep the original (raw) video files even after you edit a project?
Raw footage preserves the highest quality and allows you to fix mistakes or create new versions later; deleting it risks losing original material.
14. What is the best way to avoid shaky footage when shooting with a camera?
A tripod or gimbal provides stable support and reduces hand shake, producing smoother, more watchable footage.
15. Which transition is considered neutral and most commonly used between two shots during normal cuts?
A cut is the simplest and most neutral transition, moving directly from one shot to the next without stylistic effects.
16. Which resolution corresponds to Full HD commonly used for broadcast and online video?
1920 × 1080 pixels is Full HD (1080p), widely used for high-quality broadcast and online video; 1280 × 720 is HD but lower than Full HD.
17. What is the purpose of colour grading in post-production?
Colour grading tweaks colour balance, contrast and saturation to ensure consistency between shots and to support the story's mood.
18. Which microphone pickup pattern captures sound equally from all directions and so will record noise from sides and back as well?
An omnidirectional microphone picks up sound from all directions, including sides and back, making it less suitable where unwanted background noise must be avoided.
19. Which storage device is most practical for saving and transporting large video project files for school work?
External hard drives and SSDs offer large capacity and fast transfer speeds, making them suitable for storing and moving large video files used in projects.
20. Why do you need a licence or permission to use music in a video you will show publicly?
Most music is copyrighted; using it publicly without permission can lead to legal issues. A licence grants the right to use the music legally.
21. Which camera setting mainly controls how much light reaches the sensor by changing how long it is exposed?
Shutter speed determines exposure duration (how long the sensor is exposed to light); faster speeds freeze motion, slower speeds allow more light and motion blur.
22. What does continuity mean in video production and why is it important?
Continuity ensures visual and narrative consistency so viewers are not distracted by mistakes like changing props, mismatched lighting, or shifting costume details between cuts.
23. What does the term 'bokeh' refer to in cinematography?
Bokeh describes how a lens renders out-of-focus highlights and background blur, which can affect the visual feel and separation of subject from background.
24. Which export codec is widely used for uploading good-quality video to the internet and many TV platforms?
H.264 is an efficient codec that balances quality and file size, making it a common choice for web uploads and many broadcasting workflows.
25. What is 'room tone' and why should it be recorded during production?
Room tone is quiet background noise recorded at each location; editors use it to smooth audio edits and avoid abrupt changes in background sound.
26. What does the video resolution 1080p describe?
1080p means 1920×1080 pixels with progressive scanning (the whole image drawn each frame), which is common Full HD for TV and online videos.
27. Which aspect ratio is standard for most modern digital video and YouTube content?
16:9 is the widescreen aspect ratio used by most TVs, cameras and online platforms like YouTube, making it the standard for modern digital video.
28. Which frame rate is most commonly used to give video a cinematic look?
24 fps is the traditional cinematic frame rate used in films; it gives motion a film-like appearance compared with higher frame rates.
29. Which microphone type is best for capturing dialogue while reducing background noise on location?
A shotgun mic is highly directional, picking up sound from where it points and rejecting off-axis noise, making it ideal for on-location dialogue recording.
30. What is B-roll in digital video production?
B-roll is extra footage (cutaways, surroundings, details) used in editing to illustrate the story and hide cuts between A-roll clips.
31. What does white balance do on a video camera?
White balance corrects colour casts from different light sources so white objects look neutral, ensuring accurate colours in the footage.
32. What is the rule of thirds in composing a video shot?
The rule of thirds is a composition guideline that divides the frame into nine equal parts; placing subjects on those lines or intersections creates balanced, interesting shots.
33. Which shot typically frames a person from the shoulders up?
A medium close-up frames the subject roughly from the chest or shoulders up, focusing on facial expression while retaining some context.
34. Which file format is widely used and compatible for sharing video online?
MP4 (often encoded with H.264) is a common, efficient video format supported by web platforms and devices, making it ideal for online sharing.
35. What is the purpose of creating a storyboard before filming?
A storyboard maps out camera angles and shot order, helping the crew plan filming, camera moves and continuity before production begins.
36. Which three elements make up a three-point lighting setup?
Three-point lighting uses a key light to illuminate the subject, a fill light to reduce shadows, and a back (rim) light to separate subject from background.
37. What is a J-cut in video editing?
A J-cut lets the audio of the upcoming scene begin while the current scene's visuals are still on screen, smoothing the transition and improving flow.
38. Which of these is the best way to avoid shaky footage when recording interviews at school?
A tripod stabilises the camera and prevents shake, producing steady, professional-looking interview footage.
39. What is chroma key commonly used for in video production?
Chroma key (green/blue screen) lets editors remove a coloured background and composite subjects into different virtual environments.
40. Which codec is commonly used to compress video for web upload while keeping good quality?
H.264 is a widely used codec that balances compression and quality, producing MP4 files suitable for web streaming and uploads.
41. Which shot is typically used at the start of a scene to show location and context?
An establishing shot shows the setting (like a school, street or room) to orient the audience to where the action takes place.
42. In camera terms, what does exposure control?
Exposure is determined by aperture, shutter speed and ISO, and it controls how bright or dark the recorded image appears.
43. What is a continuity error in a video?
Continuity errors occur when objects, positions, costumes or props change between cuts in ways that don't match the scene's timeline or geography.
44. When should you get release forms (permission) from people you film at school?
Getting consent in writing before filming protects privacy and ensures you have legal permission to use someone's image in your final video.
45. What is the main purpose of colour grading in post-production?
Colour grading balances shots and gives the whole video a cohesive aesthetic—warmer, cooler, higher contrast, or a stylised look.
46. What is an L-cut in editing?
An L-cut carries the outgoing scene's audio into the incoming visual, creating smoother transitions and preserving context.
47. Which accessory helps reduce wind noise when recording outdoors?
A windscreen or 'deadcat' muff reduces air movement noise hitting the mic, improving outdoor audio clarity.
48. Why is shooting B-roll important when making a short documentary about a Kenyan community project?
B-roll shows activities, environment and details that support interview content, helping tell a fuller story and hiding edit points.
49. Which shot type shows the whole subject and a lot of the surrounding area?
A wide shot captures the subject and much of the environment, useful for showing context, location and action.
50. What is headroom in framing a shot with a person?
Headroom ensures the subject's head isn't cut off and keeps the composition balanced; too much or too little headroom looks awkward.