MUSIC VIDEO PT 2

BILLIE JEAN - MJ

First impressions
flashy editing
magical negro - helps homeless person
black and white shows mysterious
MJ steps produce light- religious imagery
at the time black musicians various cheating allegations
MJ moves and dances to the rhythm of the song

Alot of segregation back in America back in those days - MJ was first black person to be on MTV -broke through a new audience - open a new door for black artist.

Goodwin’s music video theory

•Andrew Goodwin’s theory of music videos states that music videos contain some or all of the following elements:

•A link between the visuals & lyrics (compliment, contradict or amplify)

•Genre characteristics (heavy metal in industrialised settings; rap music in urban street contexts etc.)

•Contain intertextual references (references to popular culture)

•Contain notions of looking (e.g. screens within screens)

•Include objectification of females (e.g. male gaze)

•Include demands of the record label (close ups of lead singer, symbols or motifs associated with the band / performer etc.)

Video will be performance, narrative or concept based

'Cause we danced on the floor in the round, baby' - Implied they shared intimate nights.

Billie Jean is not my lover

She's just a girl who claims that I am the one

But the kid is not my son

She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son - Denying cheating allegations.

For forty days and forty nights

The law was on her side - felt he was put on trial 'cause the lie becomes the truth

Superfreak Video

•Rick James video presented a hyper-sexualised black male who white women found attractive.

•Rick James’ subliminal media language of “the “Black Buck” was not suited to white white producers.

Stereo-types black men in popular media

•black sidekick of a white protagonist (the help)(secondary role) – learners may independently research the meaning of the “foil” as a character role.

•the token black person,

•the comedic relief,

•the athlete,

•the over-sexed ladies’ man, (black Buck)

•the absentee father or,

•the violent black man as drug-dealing criminal and gangster thug.

Construct an essay:

                      

Analyse how the Billie Jean music video by Michael Jackson represent or subvert black stereotypes of black identity.

Word count minimum 700

The Billie Jean song by Michael Jackson represents and subvert black stereotypes of black identity through various symbolism and editing techniques in the music video.


The term black stereotypes can be interpreted in various different ways, it is the manner in which characteristics are immediately associated with black people.


Black stereotypes are often very popular in modern media as they