This trivia set touches on a variety of subjects, spanning from the physical dynamics of professional fencing to the realities of behind-the-scenes movie production. It covers how actors approach their craft and the specific conditions that shaped the career of public figures like André the Giant.
You will see questions about the technical rules of épée and foil, the mechanics of improv comedy, and the logistics behind major studio reunion specials. Some items are straightforward, while others might ask you to recall finer behind-the-scenes details.
If you enjoy this, check out our collections on troubled film productions, classic acting techniques, or stunt and action coordination.
In Olympic fencing, which of the three weapons has a valid target area restricted solely to the torso?
Rapier
Rapier
Foil
Foil
Sabre
Sabre
Épée
Épée
André the Giant famously suffered from severe back pain during the production of which classic film, requiring the use of a stunt double for many shots?
1984’s Conan the Destroyer
1984’s Conan the Destroyer
1987’s The Princess Bride
1987’s The Princess Bride
1988’s Willow
1988’s Willow
1985’s The Goonies
1985’s The Goonies
In acting, what is the standard definition of ‘improv’ (improvisation)?
A mistake made by an actor that requires a scene to be restarted
A mistake made by an actor that requires a scene to be restarted
A choreographed sequence of physical movements on stage
A choreographed sequence of physical movements on stage
A performance where scenes, characters, and dialogue are created spontaneously without a script
A performance where scenes, characters, and dialogue are created spontaneously without a script
A planned modification to a pre-written theatrical script
A planned modification to a pre-written theatrical script
Which major television network or streaming service originally broadcasted the 2021 special ‘Friends: The Reunion’?
Netflix
Netflix
HBO Max
HBO Max
Prime Video
Prime Video
Hulu
Hulu
What distinguishes the épée from the foil and sabre in sport fencing?
It is the lightest of the three fencing weapons
It is the lightest of the three fencing weapons
It uses a cutting motion as well as a thrusting motion
It uses a cutting motion as well as a thrusting motion
It is the only weapon where the entire body is a valid target
It is the only weapon where the entire body is a valid target
It is the fastest of the three fencing weapons
It is the fastest of the three fencing weapons
What medical condition, which contributed to André the Giant’s chronic back and joint issues, was responsible for his extraordinary height and weight?
Scoliosis
Scoliosis
Acromegaly
Acromegaly
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Stenosis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis
In improvisational comedy, what is the fundamental ‘golden rule’ used to develop scenes and maintain narrative momentum?
Breaking frame
Breaking frame
Yes, and…
Yes, and…
Blocking
Blocking
Status check
Status check
What is a common characteristic of high-profile cast reunion ‘secrets’ revealed to the public?
Require the original director to be present at all times
Require the original director to be present at all times
Are strictly improvised without any set agenda or moderation
Are strictly improvised without any set agenda or moderation
Often involve unexpected personal revelations from the actors
Often involve unexpected personal revelations from the actors
Must take place exactly ten years after the show finale
Must take place exactly ten years after the show finale
In fencing terminology, which primary attacking move involves extending the arm and pushing off the back leg to close the distance to an opponent?
The parry
The parry
The disengage
The disengage
The lunge
The lunge
The fleche
The fleche
How did André the Giant primarily self-medicate to manage his severe physical pain while maintaining his grueling schedule as a professional wrestler?
He slept on specially customized extra-long hotel beds
He slept on specially customized extra-long hotel beds
He utilized a specialized chiropractor who traveled with him on WWF tours
He utilized a specialized chiropractor who traveled with him on WWF tours
He consumed massive quantities of alcohol
He consumed massive quantities of alcohol
He underwent multiple spinal fusion surgeries during his prime years
He underwent multiple spinal fusion surgeries during his prime years
Which of these Oscar-nominated film performances is widely cited for its extensive use of unscripted improv by the lead actor?
Robin Williams in ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’
Robin Williams in ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’
Bill Murray in ‘Caddyshack’
Bill Murray in ‘Caddyshack’
Harold Ramis directing ‘Ghostbusters’
Harold Ramis directing ‘Ghostbusters’
Steve Carell in ‘The Office’
Steve Carell in ‘The Office’
What is the primary industry motivation for modern production studios to film cast reunions?
They are always legally binding contracts to create a reboot
They are always legally binding contracts to create a reboot
They are primarily organized by actors to discuss salary disputes from the original series
They are primarily organized by actors to discuss salary disputes from the original series
They have become increasingly popular as marketing tools for streaming platforms to drive re-watch metrics
They have become increasingly popular as marketing tools for streaming platforms to drive re-watch metrics
They were pioneered by early silent film stars in the 1920s
They were pioneered by early silent film stars in the 1920s
Which feature is unique to épée fencing compared to the other two weapons?
It is the only weapon that focuses entirely on defensive parrying
It is the only weapon that focuses entirely on defensive parrying
The blade must be bent to trigger the buzzer
The blade must be bent to trigger the buzzer
The target area is limited to the torso and shoulders
The target area is limited to the torso and shoulders
Right-of-way rules do not apply, and the first to hit scores a point
Right-of-way rules do not apply, and the first to hit scores a point
What was the specific nature of the spinal problem that affected André the Giant?
Severe arthritis in his knees that prevented him from standing for long periods
Severe arthritis in his knees that prevented him from standing for long periods
A congenital foot defect that limited his balance and support for his back
A congenital foot defect that limited his balance and support for his back
A permanent wrist injury from performing in the circus
A permanent wrist injury from performing in the circus
A spinal condition resulting in chronic disk compression
A spinal condition resulting in chronic disk compression
In improv, what is the term for when a performer refuses to accept the reality established by their scene partner, effectively killing the scene’s momentum?
The ‘Negation’ loop
The ‘Negation’ loop
The ‘Block’ technique
The ‘Block’ technique
The ‘Assumption’ trap
The ‘Assumption’ trap
The ‘Freeze’ technique
The ‘Freeze’ technique
During the filming of the 2022 TV special ‘Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts’, what behind-the-scenes logistical detail surprised fans regarding Rupert Grint’s appearance?
His voice was completely dubbed by a different voice actor
His voice was completely dubbed by a different voice actor
He filmed his segment separately in Toronto due to scheduling conflicts
He filmed his segment separately in Toronto due to scheduling conflicts
He only appeared via a pre-recorded Zoom call shown on a tablet
He only appeared via a pre-recorded Zoom call shown on a tablet
He was represented by a CGI digital double for all of his scenes
He was represented by a CGI digital double for all of his scenes
In competitive fencing, which French term refers to the standardized ready stance that competitors must adopt before a bout begins?
Touché
Touché
Allez
Allez
Prêts
Prêts
En garde
En garde
Which medical condition, caused by an excess of human growth hormone, was responsible for André the Giant’s immense size and eventual skeletal complications?
Scoliosis
Scoliosis
Acromegaly
Acromegaly
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva
Marfan syndrome
Marfan syndrome
What is the term for the style of theatrical improvisation that consists of short, fast-paced games based on specific audience suggestions (such as those seen on the show ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’)?
Long-form improvisation
Long-form improvisation
Forum theatre
Forum theatre
Short-form improvisation
Short-form improvisation
Playback theatre
Playback theatre
During the production of ‘Friends: The Reunion’ in 2021, what did the production design team have to do to recreate the iconic Central Perk and apartment sets?
Use green screens and CGI to digitally superimpose the actors onto the original sets
Use green screens and CGI to digitally superimpose the actors onto the original sets
Rent the original standing sets, which had been kept fully intact at a museum since 2004
Rent the original standing sets, which had been kept fully intact at a museum since 2004
Rebuild them entirely from scratch on the original soundstage using old blueprints and footage
Rebuild them entirely from scratch on the original soundstage using old blueprints and footage
Film on location in a real Manhattan apartment building and café
Film on location in a real Manhattan apartment building and café
In foil and sabre, the concept that determines who is awarded a point when both fencers hit simultaneously is known as what?
The line of engagement
The line of engagement
Capping distance
Capping distance
The circular guard
The circular guard
Right-of-way
Right-of-way
Which of these is a reported anecdote about André the Giant’s approach to dealing with his severe, chronic pain?
His back problems were so severe that he legally gained the right to have his own personal seating arrangements in all public venues he frequented
His back problems were so severe that he legally gained the right to have his own personal seating arrangements in all public venues he frequented
His back pain was almost entirely caused by a failed surgical attempt in his childhood in France
His back pain was almost entirely caused by a failed surgical attempt in his childhood in France
Despite his fame, he famously refused all painkillers, relying only on alcohol to numb the physical pain of his condition
Despite his fame, he famously refused all painkillers, relying only on alcohol to numb the physical pain of his condition
He was one of the first athletes to undergo a pioneering ‘Titanium Rod’ back surgery in the early 1970s
He was one of the first athletes to undergo a pioneering ‘Titanium Rod’ back surgery in the early 1970s
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