Michael Jackson - Thriller - Textual Analysis
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- 1. Textual AnalysisTextual Analysis Michael JacksonMichael
Jackson ThrillerThriller By Bobby SaltBy Bobby Salt
- 2. Andrew Goodwins Theory - LinkAndrew Goodwins Theory - Link
Theres incidents throughout the clip that reveal clear links
between theTheres incidents throughout the clip that reveal clear
links between the visual and musical aspects. An example would when
MJ says: Imvisual and musical aspects. An example would when MJ
says: Im not like other guys, the sound effects then change from
naturalnot like other guys, the sound effects then change from
natural insects and wind, to creepy, suspenseful backing music,
which theninsects and wind, to creepy, suspenseful backing music,
which then leads onto MJ turning into a werewolf like
creature.leads onto MJ turning into a werewolf like creature.
Goodwins theory also suggests the artists intent to promote
themselvesGoodwins theory also suggests the artists intent to
promote themselves throughout their videos. This is evident within
Thriller, as a variety ofthroughout their videos. This is evident
within Thriller, as a variety of close ups are used.close ups are
used.
- 3. CostumesCostumes At the beginning of the clip, the
stereotypical attire for young adults/ oldAt the beginning of the
clip, the stereotypical attire for young adults/ old teenagers in
that specific era is put into place for both characters,
(MJ:teenagers in that specific era is put into place for both
characters, (MJ: baseball jacket and jeans. Ola Ray: knitted jumper
and dress). Similaritiesbaseball jacket and jeans. Ola Ray: knitted
jumper and dress). Similarities are apparent between MJs attire and
Teen Wolf star MJ. Foxs costume inare apparent between MJs attire
and Teen Wolf star MJ. Foxs costume in the film. Intentional or
not, it does reflect the popularity of certain clothingthe film.
Intentional or not, it does reflect the popularity of certain
clothing in that era for high school males. Whereas Ola Rays attire
simply reflectsin that era for high school males. Whereas Ola Rays
attire simply reflects her innocence and vulnerability to the
scenario.her innocence and vulnerability to the scenario. As the
clip progresses, the attire of both characters changes also. TheAs
the clip progresses, the attire of both characters changes also.
The costumes seem to mature, as if theyre more suitable for young
adults andcostumes seem to mature, as if theyre more suitable for
young adults and not just students, possibly reflecting the growth
of each charactersnot just students, possibly reflecting the growth
of each characters confidence. With the colour red typically being
seen as resemblingconfidence. With the colour red typically being
seen as resembling danger, MJs red leather jacket and trousers
symbolise the danger he is asdanger, MJs red leather jacket and
trousers symbolise the danger he is as well as his want for
attention and focus.well as his want for attention and focus.
- 4. Camera Angles/ShotsCamera Angles/Shots Throughout the music
video a variety of camera angles are used. TheThroughout the music
video a variety of camera angles are used. The opening shot is a
long shot of a car driving along the road. The cameraopening shot
is a long shot of a car driving along the road. The camera tracks
the cars movement, zooming in as it does so. The car then
beginstracks the cars movement, zooming in as it does so. The car
then begins to start having faults and breaking down. This happens
over the course ofto start having faults and breaking down. This
happens over the course of the first 25 seconds of the video,
straight away representing vulnerability,the first 25 seconds of
the video, straight away representing vulnerability, and giving
that sense and feeling of being watched.and giving that sense and
feeling of being watched. This is then followed by a few medium
shots of them walking alone in theThis is then followed by a few
medium shots of them walking alone in the dark, emphasising that
vulnerability. MJ then begins to transform into adark, emphasising
that vulnerability. MJ then begins to transform into a werewolf
like creature, filmed using close ups and extreme close ups,
towerewolf like creature, filmed using close ups and extreme close
ups, to reveal the horror and scare factor within MJs
characteristics.reveal the horror and scare factor within MJs
characteristics.
- 5. Mise-en-SceneMise-en-Scene The mise-en-scene from the
beginning of the clip until the very last second is setThe
mise-en-scene from the beginning of the clip until the very last
second is set up in order to create a horror based, eerie
atmosphere. But whilst us, theup in order to create a horror based,
eerie atmosphere. But whilst us, the audience, can see and
understand that, the characters involved just see it asaudience,
can see and understand that, the characters involved just see it as
another ordinary night. The tree line that runs along side the road
combinedanother ordinary night. The tree line that runs along side
the road combined with the moonlight emphasises the slight suspense
the scene holds. This actswith the moonlight emphasises the slight
suspense the scene holds. This acts as a reason for the audience to
feel on edge and slightly nervous.as a reason for the audience to
feel on edge and slightly nervous. Tiny details which lie in the
background of each setting build upon that horrorTiny details which
lie in the background of each setting build upon that horror genre
as broken chain fences and run down buildings are visible
throughout,genre as broken chain fences and run down buildings are
visible throughout, revealing to the audience that the characters
are not in a safe environment.revealing to the audience that the
characters are not in a safe environment. Theres a pattern
occurring throughout the clip also. The colour red appears in
aTheres a pattern occurring throughout the clip also. The colour
red appears in a variety of places such as: MJs suit, the cinema
chairs, the cinemas buildingvariety of places such as: MJs suit,
the cinema chairs, the cinemas building exterior and the movies
advertisement font. This is all due to the colour redsexterior and
the movies advertisement font. This is all due to the colour reds
meaning and reflection of danger.meaning and reflection of
danger.
- 6. Mise-en-SceneMise-en-Scene The mise-en-scene from the
beginning of the clip until the very last second is setThe
mise-en-scene from the beginning of the clip until the very last
second is set up in order to create a horror based, eerie
atmosphere. But whilst us, theup in order to create a horror based,
eerie atmosphere. But whilst us, the audience, can see and
understand that, the characters involved just see it asaudience,
can see and understand that, the characters involved just see it as
another ordinary night. The tree line that runs along side the road
combinedanother ordinary night. The tree line that runs along side
the road combined with the moonlight emphasises the slight suspense
the scene holds. This actswith the moonlight emphasises the slight
suspense the scene holds. This acts as a reason for the audience to
feel on edge and slightly nervous.as a reason for the audience to
feel on edge and slightly nervous. Tiny details which lie in the
background of each setting build upon that horrorTiny details which
lie in the background of each setting build upon that horror genre
as broken chain fences and run down buildings are visible
throughout,genre as broken chain fences and run down buildings are
visible throughout, revealing to the audience that the characters
are not in a safe environment.revealing to the audience that the
characters are not in a safe environment. Theres a pattern
occurring throughout the clip also. The colour red appears in
aTheres a pattern occurring throughout the clip also. The colour
red appears in a variety of places such as: MJs suit, the cinema
chairs, the cinemas buildingvariety of places such as: MJs suit,
the cinema chairs, the cinemas building exterior and the movies
advertisement font. This is all due to the colour redsexterior and
the movies advertisement font. This is all due to the colour reds
meaning and reflection of danger.meaning and reflection of
danger.