Billie Jean music video CSP

Billie Jean music video CSP (language and representation)

Michael Jackson:
-child - lead singer of family's popular group - Jackson 5
-solo career of worldwide success - No. 1 hits from albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad
-MJ enjoyed a chart-topping career both with Jackson 5 and as solo artist
-released best-selling album in history, 'Thriller,' in 1982
-After his success in Jackson 5, Michael had been trying for several years to reintroduce himself to a public that viewed him mostly as a charming child star
-To shatter this perception, Jackson created the flashy, enigmatic, vaguely dangerous persona who appeared in Billie Jean, Beat It and Bad
-At a time when most music videos were primitive, Jackson made a video that was clever, original, visually opulent and mysterious
-For many years after, Michael Jackson was the most luminous, powerful, influential star in the music business, and no one else was even close - intensified because of 1983 hit single Billie Jean

-Though it may not sound like it today, Billie Jean is one of most revolutionary songs in the history of popular music

-Billie Jean was ground-breaking because it introduced the idea that a single must be accompanied by a high-production video - thereby transforming a song release into an "event".

-Billie Jean transformed MTV from a mere diversion for young people into a cultural institution that society at large paid attention to.

-It also introduced MTV to the concept that white viewers would respond enthusiastically to videos featuring a black performer, something they had not previously believed.

-This was the first time that a song had been upstaged by the performance of a song, creating a situation where no one really had any interest in hearing the song unless they could simultaneously watch the song being performed.

-Billie Jean, which has nothing to do with the tennis legend Billie Jean King, was recorded on a specially designed set to capture the muted sound of the snare drum that Jackson insisted upon.

-It was produced by the legendary Quincy Jones, who wanted Jackson to change the name of the song and also to shorten the improbably lengthy 29-second introduction, during which Jackson does not actually sing.

-The song stayed at the top of the charts for more than two months and propelled the album Thriller to its iconic status as the biggest-selling record of all time

-first time a song had been upstaged by performance of a song - creating a situation where no one really had any interest in hearing the song unless they could watch the song being performed
-Billie Jean  was recorded on specially designed set to capture muted sound of  snare drum that Jackson insisted upon
-produced by Quincy Jones who wanted Jackson to change name of the song and also to shorten the lengthy 29-second intro, when Jackson doesn't actually sing
-song stayed top of charts for more than two months and overtook the album Thriller to its iconic status as the biggest-selling record of all time

Context:
-recorded in 1982
-directed by Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones (only produces pop and RnB songs)

-Star marketing – MJ as iconic, established star

-Event release – new year, 1983

-Commercially successful – early example of high production value music video

-Record labels recognised from Billie Jean the power of the music video but also the importance of black performers

-Synergy – MTV: from niche platform to cultural institution 

REPRESENTATIONS

-represents MJ as very entertaining - dancing throughout video
-music at time was very unique, not many people's videos had dancing in it unlike MJ's one 
-over time, other artists were inspired by his video e.g. Usher, Justin Timberlake and Chris Brown - they mention Billie jean video in theirs so it has intertextual reference
-performance based - camera based on him moving and dancing - camera mainly focused on him
-night time - makes us ask questions/ mysterious/ ambiguous

-breaking racial boundaries - not many people in era were black famous singers

Hall's reception theory
-Billie Jean has dominant preferred reading - Paparazzi ca often be intrusive, particularly when it comes to celebrity culture 
-audiences positioned into this reading through iconic representation of MJ and also narrative development 
-audiences find it difficult to negotiate meaning as there is narrative development and moral narrative closure that finally identifies protagonist and antagonist or heroes and villains (MJ and the Press)


MTV:

-Jackson's "Billie Jean" video lead to more black faces appearing on network after 

-accused of racism in era

-Record companies wouldn't budget for videos by their black artists - didn't think MTV would play them so network could make argument they just didn't have any good videos by black artists that were worthy - that argument went out window when Jackson made "Billie Jean" video (was innovative)
-Despite the production value and Jackson's star quality, MTV didn't play the video until the song was already a #1 hit. 
-When MTV started playing the clip, it was put in medium rotation, then to heavy rotation when viewers loved it
-When music video was delivered, also went into hot rotation
-for 2 month's in summer of 1983, both videos were getting constant airplay, establishing Jackson as a video star

Close up revealing MJ as iconic but caring





-film noir narrative intertextuality established early on - low key lighting, Black and white, paparazzi dressed as noir hard billy detective (raincoat, trilby hat, smoking, hiding in doorways)
-Close up of MJ shoe - narrative binary opposition (light, colour, high status, glamour) - cuts to him framed centrally looking like a wealthy playboy
-old man 'transformation' again uses light as a metaphor - his suit is bright and vibrant 
-Black and white colour palette changes to an almost seedy purple base colour palette - 'dirty' press metaphors
-wide shot - American city, salubrious street corner
-Noir neon anchors film noir iconography, as does cigarette billboard to right of frame
-Close up of newspaper establishes MJ vs Press narrative   
-Close up of cleaning his shoe - immaculate physical and ethical representation 

-Strauss's binary oppositions theory 

- protagonist vs antagonist - Paparazi hides behind a bin (metaphor again), MJ literally and metaphorically walks in light 
-MJ tracking shot walking past a gentleman's tailor (connotations of sophistication) vs camera shot representing press intrusion 

-narrative enigmas begin to develop - Billie Jean - non-present physical representation

-In contrast the paparazzi is dressed like a 1940's film noir detective with MJ in 1980's performance dress, Polaroid shows copies of copies ..... 

triptych used in early modern art

-boxed images of MJ body parts anchor the gaze and his status (links with boxed images at start)

-cuts to mise-en-scene of bedroom - satin sheets and interior furnishings - connotes luxury 

-leopard skin nag becomes recurring motif

-high angle shot of old lady next to hotel and graffiti establishes more realism and is cut against high angle shot of MJ climbing stairs

-noir conventions evident again with flashing neon sign of hotel

-Paparazzi press intrusion anchored by voyeuristic close up shot

-Todorov new equilibrium established - press defeated, Mj reconciling himself to who we assume is Billie Jean - revenge narrative 




Old man crossing road seen looking wealthy and well with young woman on his arm - again, another metaphor for a new beginning

Voyeurism
-video is voyeuristic as audience are allowed to watch as Jackson dances, as though watching him perform live
-Paparazzi press intrusion anchored by voyeuristic close up shot

Press intrusion - paparazzi

old lady at window - voyeurism







LANGUAGE

Mis-en-scene
-started off in B&W/ film noir style then changes to colour to pink/ purple
-starts off quite mysterious with black and white unfocused, fairly old fashioned camera shots that avoid showing any identity of MJ only detective, only movements etc. 
-music seems quite intense, fast paced, almost like 'tip toe' movements - link to detective watching MJ
-colour scheme switches to pink/ purple, see bright clothing and objects 
-fast beat and lighting is evocative of mainstream pop
-performance based - camera based on him moving and dancing - camera mainly focused on him

-lots of shots of MJ on his own to attract attention to him throughout video - remind audience he is the artist and to listen to his music and memories his face when he gets famous
-undercover reporter/ journalist/ detective trying to catch shots of him - create scandal - think he's guilty

-visuals and sound - connection between music and images as he steps on the pavement lighting up following  a beat e.g. "I'm not the one" links to where Jackson is seen in bed, signifying his absence and therefore how he is not the father
-images of Jackson on first and last image on screen to make a first and last impression, close ups and freeze frames centralise him to music video, forefront  

classic noir mise-en-scene

-high angle shot - MJ status and clear conventions of flashing neon sign




Cinematography (way camera used to communicate meaning ,composition of visual elements, communicates essential information to audience, shots (frames), angles/ movements & lighting) 

Music Video:
-black and white close ups(montage), moves slowly into medium shot and long shot
-moves from black and white into colour
-lighting: bright, colourful
-extreme high key lighting at one point - white light 

-Image to right: 
*Culturally loaded – trash can as recurring idea - Film Noir and metaphor for MJ and the Press
*black and white - negative, mysterious, dramatic scene


Camera shots:


-Mise-en-scene of the lamppost – shows Jackson’s intertextual reference to the Midas touch: signifies success, aspiration, perhaps naivety. 

-Genre reference: elements of rhythm and blues with a more techno pop elements: Merges genres to show authenticity/pride in musical heritage, as well as being progressive; trying to make black music more mainstream.

-Two person mid shot, fades to a one shot. Reflects an intimate moment is being encroached upon, Jackson’s fading may represent his need for privacy 

-Lighting – Strauss’ binary opposites. The lighting on Jackson is brighter, in contrast to the background. Creates a sense of hopefulness and innocence. Looking up signifies morality/religious alignment

-Narrative: Propp’s character types: hero and villain contrast. Could represent celebrity and journalist relationship in context (seen as intrusive, malicious, abusing privacy/misinforming the public)


Semiotics

-black and white to colour transition - can show two different characters, b&w is dark and mysterious, can establish time difference between two characters or ideas of past and present

Post-colonialism 

Gilroy's post colonialism theory

- theory of racism and cultural importance in influencing cultural and political movement of British black people
-believe ethnic minorities shown as weak, dehumanised etc.

Billie Jean 
-first music video to break MTV's racial barrier as first video by black artist to be aired in heavy rotation
- groundbreaking video -  role of black performer broke racial stereotypes in music videos & due to production values
-using Gilroy, racial hierarchies existed within music industry that underpinned industry decisions 
-Although MJ was already established as a star, importance if representing black performer challenged old colonial views 

Post-modernism

Baudrillard's postmodern theory
-parody
-bricolage
-loss of reality (quite surreal)
-irony
-intertextual references
-homage
-fragmented narratives
-self reflexivity (own artificiality)

Runner - also used visual iconography of film noir but blurred conventions of time and space/ historical time periods and visual signifiers - Roman Doric columns have intertextual references to Blade Runner (1982) dependant on situated culture 

How developing technologies affect media language
-lighting will be more advanced
-camera's will be higher quality and wider choice of angles and shots etc can be used in current videos today
-producer's of music videos will be more advanced and understanding of what makes a good music video as will have viewed many videos over time 
-colours will be richer as colour will have been around for longer in music videos today  
-film quality will be much higher/ precise/ better colour quality etc due to the development of technology e.g. cameras


NARRATIVE
-relationship between lyrics & visuals
-women (Billie jean) lying that MJ is father of her child just so she could be famous
-when someone's famous people may try and take advantage of you for their own fame
-lyrics about woman (Billie Jean) lying by claiming Michael Jackson is the father of her child - similar in music video as man is stalking MJ trying to set him up for a crime even though he is innocent like in the case of Billie Jean  - 1st line "Billie Jean is not my love, she's just a girl claiming I am the one but the kid is not my son" - whilst he sings this he is standing and there's man behind him (probably a police man) trying to arrest him, this is seen as a two shot but as camera cuts we see him getting away
-undercover reporter/ journalist/ detective trying to catch shots of him - create scandal - think he's guilty

Hard Boiled Film Noir Detective narrative intertextuality 

revenge narrative 

Todorov's Narrative Theory 
equilibrium - audience interested in what Billie Jean song is about so watch video
disruption - realise there is a negative part in the video as it Billie Jean (woman) is lying about MJ being the father of her child
realisation - audience realise meaning of music video and that MJ is being accused of a crime that he supposedly didn't actually commit
repair damage/ restored order - detective/ police try to catch MJ
new equilibrium - press defeated, Mj reconciling himself to who we assume is Billie Jean - revenge narrative, understand and learn what the song is actually about, MJ runs away, police don't catch him


GENRE
-pop, RnB song
-Hybrid genre – pop/ post disco/ r & b/ funk

Characteristics of pop music video:
*upbeat
*lyrics in tune
*lots of dancing
*performance based

-stylised choreography
-bright clothing
-fast beat and lighting is evocative of mainstream pop

-film noir - narrative intertextuality established early on – low key lighting, black and white, detective dressed as  detective (raincoat, trilby hat, smoking, hiding in doorway)

Goodwin's genre characteristics theory
-highlights that conventionally music videos will have narrative - paparazzi are chasing him for photos
states that music videos contain some or all of the following elements:

*Link between visuals & lyrics (compliment, contradict or amplify) - evident in Billie Jean
*Genre characteristics (heavy metal in industrialised settings; rap music in urban street contexts etc.)
*Contain intertextual references (references to popular culture) - evident in Billie Jean
*Contain notions of looking (e.g. screens within screens) 
*Include objectification of females (e.g. male gaze) - evident in Billie Jean
*Include demands of the record label (close ups of lead singer, symbols or motifs associated with the band / performer etc.) - evident in Billie Jean
*Video will be performance, narrative or concept based - performance based in Billie Jean

-Using Goodwin, 'performance' now starts - MJ has already established visual/ lyrics links through narrative and made clear intertextual references:

*on long 'catwalk', the stereotypical genre conventions of pop performer become evident - gyrating dance movements, framing, multiple camera shots/ angles, still images, slow motion and use of triptych (religious connotations)
*audience gazing at the star - a 'to be looked at' representation - lighting now has pink/ purple colour palette

'performance' replaces narrative development 

Neale’s genre Repetition and Difference theory
-genre structured with identical conventions of plot, narrative and mise-en-scene but there are some changes in different music videos, 'difference' within genres is essential for economy for music video

*How much it conforms to genre’s individual conventions/ stereotypes & must match genre’s conventions to be identified as part of that genre if it is to attract that audience
*How much product subverts genre’s conventions/ stereotypes, must subvert convention enough to be considered unique and not just copy another product

-Billie Jean all about repetition and difference - standard performance pop video conventions plus romantic sub plot but is also hybrid genre due to having other musical genres and is full of postmodernism narrative intertextuality 




INTERTEXTUAL REFERENCES
-links to media/ film industry as he uses film set or his location and perhaps Jackson is critical of paparazzi looking for stories where they are none

The Great Gatsby


The Wiz


George Orwell's 1984


The Bible (lyrics)


King Midas story


Daryl Hall & John Oates - I can't go for (no can do)