Billie Jean Flashcards
What Are Key Parts Of The Music Video’s Mise-en-Scene?
- Things light up when he touches them
- Repetition of cats (turns into a tiger and cats respond to his presence)
- Starts off B&W (film noir)
- Women in film noir are beautiful, seductive and dangerous (reference to his situation)
- Costume suggests wealth (e.g mafia gangsta shoes, white and red suit)
- Dance floor/catwalk suggests showmanship
- Borrows dance influence to construct his own iconic movement
What Is Involved In The Music Video’s Editing?
- Still framing of eyes and dance moves
- Slow motion ) more magical and
- Fast motion ) stylish
- Repeats significant shots (polishing shoes)
- planning and tracking
How Does The Music Video Use Post Modernism?
- Recycles methods of film noir to - Uses the film noir style not the content
- Uses bricolage to mix styles (B&W/colour, dance styles)
- Uses film noir to create a pastiche of an unrealistic story line
- Intertextual reference to films like ‘The Big Sheep’ - film noir
- Uses the virtual world to signify supernatural
What Do The Lyrics Link To The Narrative?
- Detective is trying to take photos when he’s not actually there (false rumours)
- “Called me to her room” (shot of her in bed without him)
- Absence if girls in video suggest they were never really together
How Does The Music Video Offer Narrative Appeal?
- Use of characters (detective)
- Real-life situation set as a short film
- Iconic dancing is pleasurable for fans
- Supernatural theme adds magic and mystery
- Storyline is teases (detective can’t get photo of him)
How Is Todorov’s Narrative Theory Associated With The Music Video?
Equilibrium: Grubby, urban street setting (tramp, litter, street cats)
Disruption: Detective interrupts by snooping (villain). Michael Jackson transforms everything to gold
Recognition: Detective/Jackson realise each other’s actions
Response: Jackson taunts detective and gets him to follow
New Equilibrium: Jackson disappears, photographer arrested
What Is the Main Purpose Of The Video?
- To advertise the artist and the song and make money
- Does this by repeatedly showing his dancing
How Is Paul Gilroy’s Theory Of Post-Colonialism Associated With The Music Video?
- Jackson is black American
- Celebrated as successful African- American
- Musically blends with US soul and white pop
- Offended black community by representing white community (change of skin etc).
How Is Judith Butler’s Theory Of Gender Performativity Associated With The Music Video?
- Approve of his gender-fluidity
- Expressed through feminine dancing
- High-voice is stereotypically feminine
- Feminine dress code: sparkly gloves and fitted clothes)
