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5 forms found in the DOM

GET https://www.videomaker.com/

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  <div class="td-search-close">
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</form>

---

POST #

<form id="loginForm" action="#" method="post">
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---

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---

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---

GET https://www.videomaker.com/

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---

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HomePlanningWriting
Writing


WHAT IS A MOTIF AND HOW IS IT USED IN CINEMA?



By Sean Berry

Have you ever noticed how sometimes films reuse a piece of sound, music, or
visuals over and over again? When that happens, it’s called a motif.

What is a motif, exactly? You may know that the term motif is related to
repetition: it’s an element that shows up again and again to emphasize an
underlying theme in the story. So how does that apply to film? In this article,
we will clearly define what a motif is and how it differs from the theme of a
story. We’ll also take a look at how motifs are used in cinema.


WHAT IS A MOTIF?

A motif is a repeated narrative element that is used throughout a work that
supports the theme of the story. A motif doesn’t have to be presented in any
specific form. It can be a reference to a specific time, a sound or a line of
dialogue. Music, colors and repeated events can also become motifs when used
intentionally throughout a story. Essentially, motifs further strengthen your
story’s theme, reintroducing important elements throughout the work to underline
their significance.



As a video producer, you may be especially interested in visual motifs. The term
visual motif refers specifically to the visible elements that reoccur in your
film to help tell your story. This can include things like props, set design,
symbols, events and costumes. Specific colors or color combinations can also be
used as motifs.


MOTIF VS THEME

Motifs are not to be confused with the theme of the story. The theme is what you
want your story to be about. Motifs are used to support the theme and really
drive home the message you want to convey. For instance, in Romeo and Juliet,
one of the major themes is love, and to support that theme, the work includes a
rose.

While Romeo and Juliet’s theme is love, a motif the plot uses to support that is
a rose


WHAT MAKES AN ELEMENT INTO AN EFFECTIVE MOTIF?

When it comes down to it, almost anything in your film can be a motif. The
element you choose, however, has to meet these three criteria to be great and
effective.


 * First, it has to support the theme of a story. You can repeat as many
   elements in your story as you like, but if none of them support the actual
   theme of the story, they have no purpose being there. In fact, it might
   confuse your audience because they will assume that the element they’re
   seeing through the work holds some kind of importance. Motifs need to
   directly support the theme; otherwise, they muddy the theme.
 * Second, the motif must be recurring throughout the entire film. There is no
   magic number for how many times an element needs to be repeated. It really
   depends on the story. However, for a motif to really make an impact, it needs
   to be present throughout the work in some capacity.
 * Lastly, it needs to enhance your narrative elements. So that would include
   the theme of the story, but it also includes the plot, setting, character and
   conflict. There’s a lot that motifs can add to the narrative significance to
   your work. You just have to know how and when to use them.


EXAMPLES OF MOTIFS IN FILM


RED BALLOON SIGNAL AN UNSEEN THREAT IN IT: PART 1

Throughout the entire series in the franchise, It uses the motif of a red
balloon. Red balloons show up throughout the series to signal to the Losers’
Club that Pennywise the Clown is watching them. This, in turn, supports the
series’ motif of childhood trauma. Sometimes, Pennywise appears after the
balloons are shown; sometimes he doesn’t. Regardless, the repetition of the
balloons reminds the characters — the audience — that Pennywise is somewhere
nearby, watching. It adds a ton of tension to the film and makes the Losers’
Club fear him even more.

Red balloons in It supports the It series’ theme of childhood trauma by making
the children feel they’re always being watched. Image courtesy Warner Brothers


MUSICAL MOTIFS IN STAR WARS

The entire Star Wars series is full of motifs. The franchise features some of
the greatest examples of musical motifs. Every single film throughout the
franchise has the same powerful score, crafted by John Williams. Whether it be
the title text scroll, the space battles, the lightsaber battles, using the
force to overcome dire situations, Star Wars uses its score and specific musical
cues to connect the plots lines and characters throughout the series. It feels
like everything in the series is connected, just like how the characters are
with the force.

Star Wars uses the same score whenever their main characters have to overcome a
huge obstacle by using the force. Image courtesy 20th Century Fox


INDIAN JONES USES DIALOGUE MOTIFS TO ESTABLISH CHARACTER

Pieces of dialogue can be used as a motif, too. How many times have you heard
Indian Jones shout: “It belongs in a museum” or “Snakes. Why Did It Have To Be
Snakes?” Both quickly establish Indian Jones’ character. We know he is a man of
integrity, respecting ancient artifacts as pieces of history rather than a way
to make a quick buck. We also learn he has a fear of snakes, which is used
throughout the series to put Indian Jones through uncomfortable situations when
snakes are present and to show that even this hero has fears he must overcome.


Snakes appear throughout the entire Indiana Jones series, causing conflict for
Jones. Image courtesy: Disney

When we take a look at the series’ third installment, Last Crusade, throughout
the film Indian Jones corrects his father whenever he calls him junior. This
motif supports the film’s message of family. Indian Jones’ relationship with his
father is strained at the beginning of the film. He clearly doesn’t want to be
associated with his father. However, as the film progresses, their relationship
improves.

Motifs can add layers of narrative significance to your film. When they support
the overall theme, they really drive home what you’re trying to say to the
audience. Whether you use motifs through props, music, color, sets or dialogue,
these recurring elements help underscore the theme of your narrative.

Image courtesy: Eon Productions Ltd.



Sean Berry
Sean Berry is Videomaker's managing editor.


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