Dark Beat Records

Micheal Jackson - Billie Jean

We think it is important to analyse a Michael Jackson video as he was known as the King of Pop and inspired pop music through out the world. His music is classically pop and in this Billy Jean video he follows the tradition conventions of a pop video where the main artist (MJ) is the dominant role, looking you handsome and attractive to the audience. He is wearing black trousers, a black leather jacket with a red shirt, suggesting that he is ready for a night out although you do not see him go anywhere. Even though this video was released in 1983 there are good effects used to add to the story.

Michael is walking down the street and everything he touches glows, including the pavement he is walking on. This is not a huge visual effect which shows that something small can be very effective. They have also used freeze shots whilst splitting the screen into three to make the audience feel as if there is a lot going on when in fact there is not. The video does not challenge the pop convention much, it sticks to a basic narrative and is well balanced between performance and narrative. It also shows a traditional representation of a male female relationship, with michal being the 'stalker' preying on a woman whilst the woman is innocent and powerless to even know what is going on.