Billie Jean Flashcards
Influences on the movement vocabulary
Poses or freezes- reminiscent of John W. Sublett (a black dancer in the 1930’s), Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell (1940’s dancers). They added a touch of class to any routine.- this storyline gave Jackson the ability to do poses and freezes like these people.
Quick foot movements-initially modelled on those of Cab Calloway, Jackie Wilson and, in particular, James Brown, as well as. Fred Astaire, Sammy Davis Jr. and Gene Kelly.- quick movements angry, good way of demonstrating the expressive intention.
En pointe and turns- drawn from ballet which Jackson admired.- tries a modern version of ballet.
The Moonwalk- many influences including John W. Sublett, Cab Calloway, Bill Bailey (all 1930/40’s performers) as well as street dancers of the 1980’s such as Jeff Daniels. Marcel Marceau, the great mime artist, as well as Charlie Chaplin, fascinated Jackson with their ability to glide effortlessly around the stage and he endeavoured to emulate their fluent movements.- if he danced like that it will show the fascination that the woman had on him.
Influences on the expressive intention
Billie jean is a composite of the groupies that accosted the Jackson’s brother when they were part of the Jackson 5. He could not understand why they would lie about the paternity of a child.
Jackson himself was accused by a crazed fan of fathering one of her twins.
The song is a warning to male performers to resist groupies’ charms.
As Jackson was often the victim of cruel lies, Billie. Jean is really about lies and violation. It is about being surrounded by liars and enablers and wanting to escape by denying the lies, “Billie Jean is NOT my lover”. It is about trying to tell the truth in the face of lies.
Influences on the production elements.
Costume- black street pants (half-mast), white T-dp shirt, white rhinestone glove, white sequinned socks, black loafers, black sequinned jacket and black fedora.
Etc.
Set- a plain background with banks of lights at the side and overhead, the band, large speakers and three back-up singers take up the stage rear. Typical pop concert set.
Lighting- initially, Jackson is lit by spotlights from each side of the stage whilst a large overhead spotlight centres on him and follows him whenever he moves.
Etc.
The expressive intention is….
To tell the story of a young man being accosted publicly by a woman claiming that he has fathered her child and his subsequent recalling her seduction, the court case and all the while denying paternity.
Reasons/links to E.I.
Facing up to the lies.
Resisting the groupies charms.
Being wary of the people around him after his false accusation.
To draw to audience to his storyline.
Challenging the accuser/society/ the lies that have been said.
Highlights the pain and suffering inside him.
Cautious towards accusations.
Being oppressed by fame and the groupies.
Uses his signature move (pelvic thrusts)’to show the accusation of him fathering a child.
Convinces audience that he is innocent.
Spiral of lies.
Attracted to the woman, flirting with her.
Making sure he’s ready for the performance.
Doesn’t want to give up fighting, wants to overcome the issue.
Holding back emotions (holding hat), letting go of his emotions when he flicks his hat away to the side.
Still a normal person, just because he’s a celebrity doesn’t mean he’s untouchable.
Robbed him of nothingness.
Lack of involvement.
Vulnerability.
Trying to escape the issue.
In pain.
Isolation.
Lack of control of the issue.
Escalation of the issue.
Loosing strength.
The lies are degrading him.
Trying not to be put down by the constant criticism.
Point out/accuse.
Rise above the issue.
Constant pain cycle.
Trapped in a web of lies.
Confused by the accusation of him.
Collapsing under the pressure of lies.
Obnoxiously flicks his hair.
Looking for answers.
Represent the burden of the inflicted responsibility.
Flirting with the audience to persuade them to agree with him.
Kick her out of his life because he is angry.
Frustration at her for wrongly accusing him.
Trying to regain control of his actions.
Express his first reaction to the issue.
Regaining stability in his life.
Internal conflict.
Conflicting sides.
Contrast in different emotions.
Giving up.
Looking up to God for answers.
Walking away from the lies.
Picking up his pride and dignity.
