Motto theme

A motto theme, defined in richards-2016 par.4, is a kind of film theme that has 2 key characteristics:

  1. Its structure consists of:
    1. a single motive;
    2. a few motives combined into a short idea;
    3. 2 or more ideas combined into a larger unit
  2. It does not develop in any significant way. That is, there is no implication of a “second half” at any point.

Often, an ostinato is used. (richards-2016 par.5)

Examples: