Billie Jean Analysis

Mise en Scene

 - Use of colour when the mysterious man is in black and white and Michael Jackson is shown in colour. This is a good way to highlight both the protagonist and antagonist.
- Two women on a billboard are 2D makes suggestion about fans, MJ is moving and being free, while the girls are watching him.
- Special effects: Freeze close up on MJ eyes. Three split freeze frames of MJ 
- Fake Hollywood background 
Narrative

- The narrative is consistent throughout, as Michael Jackson tries to persuade everyone that he is not the father. Followed by the camera (paparazzi), detective and police Jackson tries to flee. This is Jackson commenting on a past story where a girl claimed he got her pregnant. The claim was proven to be false.
- Everything MJ touches is magic, makes everything better.
- intertextuality: fake Hollywood background like in 'singing in the rain' music video. Reference to how MJ hates the paperazzi following and stalking his every move. 
- Be careful who you sleep with!


Editing/Sound

 -  In the first instance, there is a clear connection between the music and the images as he steps on the pavement lighting up following a beat. Metaphor for how MJ lights up the world the video started off at black and white, as soon as MJ walked in it changed to colour. We don't see MJ face first we see his feet, ironic as we see the detectives full face.
- Every tile that Michael Jackson steps on, it lights up which reflects on how he is the centre of attention in the video.
- Each cut between shots is on the beat which creates a flow of rhythm to the music. 
- As Jackson exits, the music ends, physically demonstrating the end of the music video.
- Parallels between sound and what we can see can be drawn between the lyrics. When the line “I am the one” is sang, Jackson is not seen in the bed, signifying his absence and therefore how he is not the father.
- shot reverse shot, when MJ is on the pillar to when the camera flashes and he disappears.
- Split screen makes MJ look more magical and stand out.
There are cuts between MJ spins which are fast and rapid which can reinforce how people can't keep up with him. 


Cinematography 




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