Michael Jackson’s Thriller
Thriller which was MTV’s first world premiere music video
was released in December 1983. It was also voted the most influential music
video of all time and earned itself a top 5 spot in MTV’s greatest music videos
of all time.
Directed by: John Landis
Produced by: George Folsey Jr, Michael Jackson & John Landis
Starring: Michael Jackson
Co-Starring: Ola Ray
Choreography: Michael Peters & Michael Jackson
Costume Designed by: Kelly Kimball & Deborah Landis
Directed by: John Landis
Produced by: George Folsey Jr, Michael Jackson & John Landis
Starring: Michael Jackson
Co-Starring: Ola Ray
Choreography: Michael Peters & Michael Jackson
Costume Designed by: Kelly Kimball & Deborah Landis
Thriller
was said to have a budget of around a million dollars and is looked at very
differently from other music videos of its time. It was not just seen as a
piece of music with lyrics and dancing; it was a short film with an enticing
storyline. The first part of the story is a short horror film where Michael
Jackson turns into a werewolf and attacks his girlfriend. The horror theme is
not something people would have expected from young Michael Jackson who is now
referred to as ‘The King of Pop’, most popularly known for his funky style and
up beat tracks. The next part of the story cuts to a movie theatre where
Michael and his girlfriend are watching the clip we have just seen, the girl
then storms out and expresses her resentment to the film. When the music starts
it somewhat contradicts the spooky scene of the dark street that Michael and
Ola are walking down, but the lyrics however do not.
In the song we hear lyrics such as ‘something evil's lurking in the dark’ and ‘there's demons closing in on every side’ which fit in with the spooky atmosphere that is trying to be created. Sound effects are also used frequently to add to the theme of a horror film, we hear creaking doors and floorboards, footsteps, howling dogs and thunder which all emphasise that it really is a short film and not just a music video.
Although the video is based around a horror story it still contains many elements of a pop video. It has the basic structure with verses and the repeated chorus and also has a dance routine. The Dance routine is recognised all over the world and is re-enacted when the song is played. The Dance routine is iconic to Michael Jackson as when we think about the routine it is automatically linked to him.
The clip is not what we expect to see when we think of zombies and horror films, and is very iconic when it changes from a spooky scene of a girl surrounded by zombies, to a group of them dancing with Michael Jackson at the front. This is a counter stereotype and contradicts the spooky lyrics and sound effects.
After the movie theatre scene we see a wide shot of Michael and Ola walking, the shot shows us Ola walking away from Michael showing no interest in him, but Michael carry’s on following her. Michael carries on singing to her trying to impress her and earn her trust. The lyrics Michael sings are supposed to be scary, but Michael is singing them in a playful way whilst smiling. The way he is singing contrasts with the lyrics we hear.
We also see a close up of Ola’s face. The close up shows her fear when she is about to be attacked, which reminds us how the video is again a short film and not just a song with dancing. The purpose of the music video is to entertain, which it is successful in doing with its gripping storyline and catchy lyrics.
The video does not have just one target audience; it can appeal to people of all ages, but mainly teens and young adults because of its pop elements. Pop music is one of the most popular and diverse genres for people of any age.
Overall I think the video is very successful, as it has proved winning many awards and being viewed millions of times worldwide. It has advertised Michael Jackson and pop music and has entertained people, which is the main aim of most videos.
In the song we hear lyrics such as ‘something evil's lurking in the dark’ and ‘there's demons closing in on every side’ which fit in with the spooky atmosphere that is trying to be created. Sound effects are also used frequently to add to the theme of a horror film, we hear creaking doors and floorboards, footsteps, howling dogs and thunder which all emphasise that it really is a short film and not just a music video.
Although the video is based around a horror story it still contains many elements of a pop video. It has the basic structure with verses and the repeated chorus and also has a dance routine. The Dance routine is recognised all over the world and is re-enacted when the song is played. The Dance routine is iconic to Michael Jackson as when we think about the routine it is automatically linked to him.
The clip is not what we expect to see when we think of zombies and horror films, and is very iconic when it changes from a spooky scene of a girl surrounded by zombies, to a group of them dancing with Michael Jackson at the front. This is a counter stereotype and contradicts the spooky lyrics and sound effects.
After the movie theatre scene we see a wide shot of Michael and Ola walking, the shot shows us Ola walking away from Michael showing no interest in him, but Michael carry’s on following her. Michael carries on singing to her trying to impress her and earn her trust. The lyrics Michael sings are supposed to be scary, but Michael is singing them in a playful way whilst smiling. The way he is singing contrasts with the lyrics we hear.
We also see a close up of Ola’s face. The close up shows her fear when she is about to be attacked, which reminds us how the video is again a short film and not just a song with dancing. The purpose of the music video is to entertain, which it is successful in doing with its gripping storyline and catchy lyrics.
The video does not have just one target audience; it can appeal to people of all ages, but mainly teens and young adults because of its pop elements. Pop music is one of the most popular and diverse genres for people of any age.
Overall I think the video is very successful, as it has proved winning many awards and being viewed millions of times worldwide. It has advertised Michael Jackson and pop music and has entertained people, which is the main aim of most videos.
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