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: 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. 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. 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 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. 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.