1. 1. Textual AnalysisTextual Analysis Michael JacksonMichael Jackson ThrillerThriller By Bobby SaltBy Bobby Salt
2. 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: Im not likevisual and musical aspects. An example would when MJ says: Im not like other guys, the sound effects then change from natural insects andother guys, the sound effects then change from natural insects and wind, to creepy, suspenseful backing music, which then leads onto MJwind, to creepy, suspenseful backing music, which then leads onto MJ turning into a werewolf like creature.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 of closethroughout their videos. This is evident within Thriller, as a variety of close ups are used.ups are used.
3. 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 costumeare apparent between MJs attire and Teen Wolf star MJ. Foxs costume in the film. Intentional or not, it does reflect the popularity of certainin the film. Intentional or not, it does reflect the popularity of certain clothing in that era for high school males. Whereas Ola Rays attire simplyclothing in that era for high school males. Whereas Ola Rays attire simply reflects her innocence and vulnerability to the scenario.reflects 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 adultscostumes seem to mature, as if theyre more suitable for young adults and not just students, possibly reflecting the growth of each charactersand not 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. 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. 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 acts aswith the moonlight emphasises the slight suspense the scene holds. This acts as a reason for the audience to feel on edge and slightly nervous.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. 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 acts aswith the moonlight emphasises the slight suspense the scene holds. This acts as a reason for the audience to feel on edge and slightly nervous.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.