Motifs in Film

What is a Motif - 

• Repeated idea, image, pattern
• Throughout a film
• Helps reveal the theme of the text

 Three steps:

- Identify the reoccurring pattern
- Track the pattern
- Propose meaning from pattern or items in that pattern

Examples:

Raiders of a Lost Ark

• Colours

  

Unknown. (unknown). Raiders of the Lost Ark image. Available: http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/80s-films/images/431412/title/raiders-lost-ark-wallpaper. Last accessed September 2015.

Speed

• Phrase = "pop quiz"

The Guardian . (July 2014). Why I'd like to be Keanu Reeves in Speed- image. Available: https://apps.xplr.com/xplr/news/Show-topic-Dianne-Reeves?. Last accessed September 2015.

Jaws 

• Items = Barrels 

- Shoot the shark with barrels to bring hi to the surface

- We see the gradual adding of barrels

- Don't see the sharks just barrels

Unknown. (unknown). 40 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About 'Jaws'. Available: http://news.moviefone.com/photos/40-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-jaws. Last accessed September 2015.

Summary

• Motifs are in movie and literature
• Reoccurring patterns
• Help reveal the theme (the message) of the text