Billie Jean- Michael Jackson

Billie Jean is an example of a historically significant music video. The video was one of the very first videos on MTV to feature a black artist and be aired on regular rotation by the channel. The video’s immense popularity helped bring MTV into the mainstream and breakthrough racial barriers on TV networks and helped propel the album ‘Thriller’ to the bestselling album of all time.

Million Reasons is a contrasting example of a contemporary music video from a world famous, white, female artist. This particular video (from the album Joanne) marks a change in direction for the artist as media producers make use of media language to construct representations that might attract a broader, more mainstream market whilst not alienating the artist’s core fan base. 

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.

Neale’s genre theory of Repetition and Difference

 Steve Neale states that though all genres are structured along the identical conventions of plot,

narrative and mise-en-scene, success lies in their ability to manipulate and re-shape these elements.

In this sense, all genres all contain instances of repetition and difference – and difference is essential

to the economy of the genre.

Neale’s model holds that a product’s genre is defined by:

•        How much it conforms to its genre’s individual conventions and stereotypes. A product must match the genre’s conventions to be identified as part of that genre if it is to attract that audience.
•         How much a product subverts the genre’s conventions and stereotypes. The product must subvert convention enough to be considered unique and not just a clone of another product.

First impressions:

Michael- hero

Detective- Bad (Paparazzi)

Light Effects- steps, shows how he's pure/ innocent

                     - the hotel sign lighting up= gaining attention everywhere he goes

Religious/spiritual 

in Bed- but disappears

Lyrics "Billie Jean is not my Lover" " the kid is not my son"

"eyes were like mine"- edits to cut to just his eyes

Background:

Jackson said that "Billie Jean" was based on groupies he and his brothers encountered while they

performed as the Jackson 5."They would hang around backstage doors, and any band that

would come to town they would have a relationship with, and I think I wrote this out of experience

with my brothers when I was little. There were a lot of Billie Jeans out there. Every girl claimed that

their son was related to one of my brothers."

He performed his first moonwalk when he sang ‘Billie Jean’ on the TV show Motown 25:

Yesterday, Today, Forever The performance introduced a number of Jackson's signatures, including

the moonwalk and white sequinned glove, and was widely imitated.

Jackson received in 1981 from a woman claiming he was the father of one of her twins. Jackson, who

regularly received letters of this kind, had never met the woman and ignored it. However, she

continued to send letters stating that she loved him and wanted to be with him, and asking how he

could ignore his own flesh and blood. The letters disturbed him to the extent that he suffered

nightmares. Eventually, Jackson received a parcel containing a photograph of the fan, a gun, and a

letter instructing him to kill himself at a particular time. The fan would do the same once she had

killed "their" baby, so they could be together in the next life. To the mother's dismay, Jackson had the

photograph of the woman framed and hung above the dining room table of their family home.

THE SHORT FILM

Director: Steve Barron

Primary Production Location: Los Angeles, California

Michael Jackson's short film for "Billie Jean" was the first of three short films produced for

recordings from Thriller, which continues its reign as the biggest selling album of all time with

worldwide sales in excess of 105 million as of June 1, 2016 and in December, 2015 became the first

ever album to be awarded triple diamond status by the RIAA for US sales alone. The "Billie Jean"

single reached No. 1 in 10 countries in the spring of 1983, including seven consecutive weeks atop

the Billboard Hot 100 - becoming the second-highest selling single in America that same year.

The short film featured a paparazzo attempting to photograph Jackson as he danced through an urban

landscape. A specially created set featured steps and sidewalk tiles that lit up underneath Michael's

feet. It is here that fans first saw some of Michael's best-known dance moves, such as spinning and

landing on his toes. Many of Michael's steps and mannerisms in the video would become

forever associated with The King of Pop.

The "Billie Jean" short film made history as the first video by a black artist to be played in

heavy rotation on MTV, then in its second year. In 1992, the short film was inducted into the

Music Video Producers Hall of Fame. MTV ranked "Billie Jean" as the 35th greatest music video of

all time in 1999, one of three entries of Jackson's on the chart alongside "Thriller" and "Beat It."

Lyrics:

She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene

I said don't mind, but what do you mean, I am the one

Who will dance on the floor in the round

She said I am the one, who will dance on the floor in the round

She told me her name was Billie Jean, as she caused a scene

Then every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one

Who will dance on the floor in the round

People always told me be careful of what you do

And don't go around breaking young girls' hearts

And mother always told me be careful of who you love

And be careful of what you do 'cause the lie becomes the truth

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

For forty days and forty nights

The law was on her side

But who can stand when she's in demand

Her schemes and plans

'Cause we danced on the floor in the round

So take my strong advice, just remember to always think twice

(Don't think twice, don't think twice)

She told my baby we'd danced till three, then she looked at me

Then showed a photo my baby cried his eyes were like mine (oh, no)

'Cause we danced on the floor in the round, baby

People always told me be careful of what you do

And don't go around breaking young girls' hearts

She came and stood right by me

Just the smell of sweet perfume

This happened much too soon

She called me to her room

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

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

She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son

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

She says I am the one

You know what you did, (she says he is my son) breaking my heart babe

She says I am the one

Billie Jean is not my lover

Billie Jean is not my lover

Billie Jean is not my lover

Billie Jean is not my lover (don't Billie Jean)

Billie Jean is not my lover

Billie Jean is not my lover

Rick James has Beef with MTV

"Super Freak" was released about five months after MTV went on the air, and Rick James made a

slick video for the song hoping it would get some spins on the network. At the time, however, MTV

refused to play videos by black artists, and they rejected this clip, continuing to feed America a

steady stream of rock and EuroPop. This refusal to play black music was a holdover from radio

station programming, where conventional wisdom was that you would lose your white listeners if you

played black music.

As for exactly why MTV passed on "Super Freak," their director of acquisitions, Carolyn Baker,

explained in the book I Want My MTV: "It wasn't MTV that turned down 'Super Freak.' It was

me. I tuned it down. You know why? Because there were half-naked women in it, and it was a

piece of crap. As a black woman, I did not want that representing my people as the first black

video on MTV."

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.

Billie Jean– historical, social and cultural contexts

Stereo-types black men in popular media (Huffington Post) 

•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.

Black racial stereotypes

Stereotypes :Positive and negative stereotypes are often seen in contemporary British media.

–Musicians: jazz, hip-hop and soul

–Sportsmen and women

–Comedians

–Criminals

–Socially dysfunctional

–Prostitute/sexually promiscuous

–The stud/pimp

Million Reasons Essay

Analyse how the Million Reasons music video by Lady Gaga uses stereotypes to represent a variety of images of feminine identity:

Apply comparative stereotypes and theory in the development of your arguments

Word count minimum 700

Million Reasons is a contrasting example of a contemporary music video from a world famous, white, female artist. This particular video, from the album Joanne, marks a change in direction for the artist as media producers make use of media language to construct representations that might attract a broader, more mainstream market whilst not alienating the artist’s core fan base.

It lyrically delves on "heartbreak and hope" during a relationship, as well as Gaga's religious faith during the chorus, ultimately making it a song with a positive message.  The music video is a continuation from the music video of 'Perfect Illusion'. Perfect illusion ended with her rolling onto the desert, and here she starts in the same place. These videos are both meant to imply Gaga getting up and carrying on after her hip injury, as she had to carry on with the tour.

         The music video of a Lady Gaga, begins with a high shot of her laying down in the desert, bare faced and looking vulnerable. The figure shows a counter-stereotype to the view that women are always wearing makeup and are never 'fazed' and just carry on with the work. Her facial expression does this by conveying stress and exhaustion as if she was weak and fragile. She is then picked up by many black cars which drag her back to reality. This illustrates the stereotype that women are objects and can be ruled and owned by people. bell hooks, a feminists theorist, says how women are exploited, discriminated against or oppressed due to many factors such as race and class, as well as sex. This is shown in this scene as she is being exploited for work and is being forced at times to carry on making music and making people money. This also links to the context of how Lady Gaga is an activist. bell hooks says that you cannot be a feminist without being an activist, and Gaga is shown to present feminism through her music, which hook would agree with.

When she gets in the Car, her face is covered. This could represent how she's putting on a brave face for the public so her true face is unrecognisable and hidden. The darkness within the shots can portray her emotions and the darkness within. Gaga is also shaking her head in annoyance which could show how she feels defeated and like she's not in control. This connects to how Gaga said in a interview after her breakup with her fiance, "i just want it to stop... its like a train i cant get off". It analyses how she was depressed but is still forced into carrying on. This stereotype of the submissive female who needs people to rule her is shown throughout the video. Another scene that shows this is the makeup chair scenes. As soon as she sits down in the makeup chair, the image turns to black and white.  The black and white conveys that without the colour, her emotions are the only thing that matters, not the colour of the clothes and shoes. Gaga is looking sad with slumped body language. this illustrates the stereotype of women being emotional. The use of images which cross cut between black and white memories from the dressing room, as she receives a gift, and this is contrasted to the pink flamboyant suit that Lady Gaga performs in for the country and western style music video shoot, which links to stereotypical ideas of glamorous femininity, perpetuates stereotypes.

The shots in colour portray a strong women who's unbreakable. It conveys a different side to her life, the side that the media and fans see. it portrays the stereotype that her life is all glam and amazing. It shows how the stereotype of women always being well dressed and pretty is only a side of their life and can be a lot of work.

Million Reasons- Lady Gaga

Stereotypes about women;                         How is lady gaga influential:

1) make up                                                    1) iconic star - evolved over time

2) pink                                                           2) unique artist

3) caring for children                                    3) support for gay community

4) weak mentally and physically                  4) Activist 

5) bad drivers                                                5) treats music like art

6) need to conform to society

7) emotional 

8) slim

9) young

10) innocence

Stereotypes about men; 

'Masculinity' is a concept that is made up of more rigid stereotypes than femininity. Representations of men across all media tend to focus on the following:

1) Strength - physical and intellectual

2) Power

3) Sexual attractiveness (which may be based on the above)

4) Physique

5) Independence (of thought, action, finances)

 

Million Reasons is a contrasting example of a contemporary music video from a world famous, white, female artist. This particular video (from the album Joanne) marks a change in direction for the artist as media producers make use of media language to construct representations that might attract a broader, more mainstream market whilst not alienating the artist’s core fan base.

It lyrically delves on "heartbreak and hope" during a relationship, as well as Gaga's religious faith during the chorus, ultimately making it a song with a positive message. 

Analysing lyrics

"your giving me a million reasons to let you go" a failed relationship and she cant take it anymore.

"i would run for the hills" if she found a way out of the relationship easily she would just leave.

"If you could find a dry way, I'd forever be still," but she seems to be saying that if he could figure his life out, she wouldn't complain anymore.

"cut through all this worn out leather," which seems to be a reference to toughened emotional walls that keep her or him from being honest.

"Head stuck in a cycle. I look off, and I stare." highlighting her own emotional emptiness and hopelessness. 

 "I've stopped breathing," but she's "completely aware" as she watches her life descend into chaos seemingly beyond her control.

"And if you say something that you might even mean / It's hard to even fathom which parts I should believe." He's lied so many times that she simply can't trust anything that he says.

"Baby, I'm bleedin' / Can't you give me what I'm needin'?"Despite his many lies she loves him and is still giving him the chance to fix things

"Every heartbreak makes it hard to keep the faith," to show how his actions have made it hard for her to believe that he can fix things, but she claims that she needs only "one good [reason]" to stay with him.

Video analysis:

• Body language - worn out and tired
• Sad/worn out - trying to hide her true emotions - stereotype of being emotional
• Black and white - without the colour shows how her emotions her the only thing that matters not the colour of the clothes and shoes.
• Her friends help her get back up representing sisterhood 
• "Million Reasons" would be a continuation of that for "Perfect Illusion".
• forced to tour through her hip pain (described by the dancing in "Perfect Illusion"), and finally in the "Million Reasons" clip, her team helps her in healing and crafting Joanne.
•  imagery of everyday backstage tour preparation to a song of loneliness and isolation, life on the road forever breaking its practitioners
• Intercut with studio shots of the makeup room before a show and Gaga passionately strumming her acoustic guitar, we return to the desert as her friends finally arrive to comfort her.
• First shot extreme wide shot in high angle of her rolling away in the desert - 'if i had a highway i would run for the hills' - rolling away form her problems - lost her mind - stereotype of women being emotional. Emotion is a running theme throughout the whole video - in the desert - sad - in the makeup chair - sad - on stage - confident, proud, bold posture.
• Desert sounds are meant to be relaxing, goes from the relaxed setting to a loud and stressful sound. goes form happy to sad. colour to black and white. 
• Black and white - simple - raw - easy to understand
• Colour is complex and has many layers to it. 
• non chronological - the running thoughts going through her mind make no sense
• warm glow (sepia) reminiscing to childhood and normality- to black and waitpeople will always be 
• dark car - high angle camera shot - like cctv - seeing the behind the scenes her - she is very private, introverted even when on stage. 
• she is ferried around like important cargo that is fragile - like a leader of people- several cars with blacked out windows all for one person - fragile - women stereotype 
• collection of hats and clothes and dresses, stereotype of women being obsessed by appearance.
• Telling a story of loss and how things have to get worse before they get better, and people will always be there to pick you up and shield you from other negativities.
• Ends on a close up shot of her looking at a tattoo of hope
• Indirect mode of address.
• when introduced to this colourful, pink, bold leader she looks confident and strong - direct mode of address.Desert is peaceful and leads into a dramatic horror sound
• car - sad  - stage confident
• approach is that she states clearly how she feels - she is being honest and truthful. 
• loud and clear - instruments are little distraction form her voice. 
• as the second verse begins, it flashes back to the desert to the details that got her there. It is an independent experience for whomever watches and listens to it. 

0:15- laying on her back in the desert, weakness, vulnerability

1:08- Looking sad, looking down, slumped body language, black and white for depressive mood, emotional which links to stereotype 

1:14- heavy makeup which links to the stereotype that women need to wear makeup to make them look good

1:17- hiding her face behind the guitar, trying to hide who she is 

2:07- friends running to rescue her in desert, weakness, friends will always be there and you don't need a man

2:32- head in hands, shows emotion and sadness

2:55- back to makeup chair, looks distressed and emotional 

3:32- wearing a cross, and a priest touching her shoulder to represent God showing her the right path 

3:52- hat and sunglasses on to hide identity and emotion in desert

3:58- pink suit shows she is going against normality.

Liesbet van Zoonen: Feminist theory

Suggests gender is constructed through discourse, and that its meaning varies according to cultural and historical context.
Advocates that the very presentation of women’s bodies as objects to be looked at is a core element of western patriarchal culture
Also presents that in mainstream culture, the visual and narrative codes that are used to construct the male body are different from those used to objectify the female body Codes- a system of words, letters, Feminist theory.
> Women's body's are being objectified
> believes our idea of gender comes from historical context
> we live in a patriarchal world. 

Bell hooks: Feminist theory

Propose that feminism is a struggle to end sexist/patriarchal oppression and the whole ideology of

domination. Suggest the idea that feminism is a political commitment rather than a lifestyle choice

Advocates that other factors, such as race and class, as well as sex, determine the extent to which 

individuals are exploited, discriminated against or oppressed

Earp and Katz (1999)

Earp and Katz (1999) studies male representations in the media and found “a widespread and
disturbing equation of masculinity and pathological control and violence.” They claim that the media
is responsible for a steady stream of images that define ‘manhood’ as connected with violence,
dominance and control - and create it as a normal and accepted part of masculinity.