Similar to themes, motifs often speak to issues happening beneath the surface of the film. But while themes in films are repeated ideas and concepts, motifs are repeated elements. Movie motifs can be colors, patterns, editing styles, shapes, and more. Specific examples of motifs in Hollywood films are given in this filmmaking tutorial.
- Related to themes is the idea of using a motif.…Often these terms are used interchangeably,…but technically a theme is a repeated idea,…whereas a motif is usually a repeated element.…A motif might come in the form of a color, image,…editing style, or something else.…One of my favorite motifs in cinema…is the way Alfred Hitchcock used division…to symbolize psychosis in Psycho.…The film starts off with Marion Crane…who just stole a bunch of money from the company…that she works for,…now she's our protagonist thus far,…but Hitchcock encourages us as the audience…to oscillate between identifying with her,…and thinking that she's kinda slimy,…and thus the theme of psychosis is already introduced,…and so Hitchcock introduces the motif of mirrors,…and why would he angle the camera like this?…It's to reinforce this idea of a split personality,…of two sides of the same person.…
When Norman Bates is cleaning up the murder scene…we see him reflected in the mirror,…we see it again even more blatantly as Norman Bates…is being investigated.…
Author
Chad Perkins
Released
8/18/2016Watch and learn how to shoot a script, using visual motifs, atmospherics, framing, and different types of shots to tell the film's story. Find out how to give direction to your crew and be a good leader, while staying on budget and on schedule. Plus, get tips to improve shots during retakes or in post, and to become a better director, storyteller, and communicator.
Note: Like the rest of the Creating a Short Film series, this course was shot during the production of The Assurance. It offers a unique window into the actual struggles and challenges filmmakers have to overcome to get films made. Find the rest of the courses in the series on Chad's author page.
- What a director does
- Interpreting the script
- Scouting locations
- Choosing the tone and theme of the film
- Using motifs
- Shaping the story through visuals
- Being a good leader on set
- Respecting budgets and schedules
- Planning shots
- Moving the camera: on a tripod or dolly or in handheld shots
- Using rolling takes
- Framing shots
- Adding atmospherics
- Directing in post-production
- Becoming a better director
Skill Level Intermediate
Duration
Views
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Introduction
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What does a director do?1m 53s
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The Assurance7m 43s
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1. Preparing for Production
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Choosing your crew1m 37s
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Interpreting the script2m 4s
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Creating a visual style2m 36s
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Scouting locations1m 37s
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2. Themes and Tone
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Controlling the tone4m 39s
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Using themes1m 58s
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Using motifs2m 13s
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About the blur motif2m 18s
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3. Shaping the Story
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Killing darlings3m 59s
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Cutting to add clarity1m 54s
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Adding tension2m 19s
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Showing, not telling4m 35s
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4. Running the Set
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Being a good leader3m 29s
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Sticking to your vision3m 3s
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Throwing away your vision2m 57s
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Knowing when to reset2m 45s
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Wearing multiple hats1m 25s
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5. Planning Shots in a Scene
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Understanding the scene2m 45s
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Planning the shots4m 19s
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6. Getting the Shot
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Getting coverage4m 2s
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Cheating and stealing shots3m 20s
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Utilizing rolling takes4m 10s
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Breaking the "fourth wall"1m 45s
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Fixing it in post1m 43s
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7. Improving the Shot
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Improving takes4m 11s
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Using extras3m 38s
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Framing the shot5m 28s
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Adding atmospherics3m 8s
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8. Directing in Post-Production
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Directing the edit1m 36s
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Directing VFX shots1m 49s
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Directing audio choices2m 46s
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Conclusion
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Becoming a better director1m 31s
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Directing resources2m 52s
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Final thoughts1m 1s
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Video: Using motifs