MJ ESSAY

Analyse how the Billy Jean music video by Michael Jackson represent or subvert black stereotypes of black identity.

Word count minimum 700

Billie jean is one of the most historical music videos in history when released in 1992. The short film was the first music video to air from a black artist on MTV and by 1983 was No. 1 in 10 countries. It was later ranked the 35th greatest music video of all time in 1999. However, Jackson hadn't been the first one to try and get MTV to show their video. Just 5 months before Rick James had also brought out a music video which he wanted to be the first to air on MTV, however they declined his offer as his video 'Superfreak' had been seen as over sexualised and didn't show black people in the most positive light, this led to the company being  worried that if they played black music then it would lose and scare away there white listeners and this had been the case until 5 months later when Billie Jean had been previewed. MTv had seen the video to reflect positively on black people and by its intriguing plot, flashing scenes and stylised dancing, the video was a hit.

When looking at the first interpretations of the Music video we see how it starts off with a dark mysterious figure, throwing a cigarette to the ground. This figure looks like an undercover detective by his appearance of black sunglasses, trench coat and the way he sneaks around the scene. We later discover this figure to be the protagonist and his goal to try and get a picture of Micheal.  Then enters, the protagonist 'Micheal Jackson' looking smartly dressed and as he walks the tiles lighten in a white light which could imply a sense of purity and divert from the typical black stereotype of violence and an aggressive nature. By  Jackson also being the lead role and the so called 'hero' of this short film it defeats the idea that a black identity isn't just a sidekick. This plot seemed to work well with MTV as with the history of racial profiling it showed a Black American in a positive light. As the video continues Micheal then comes across a homeless man on the street trying to find some means to live. He then does the charitable, compassionate thing of giving the man some money which transforms him into a pure white suite, again could implicate how his caring ways are pure and defeat any stereotypes. When he dances along the sidewalk the billboards show various pale white models which could support Goodwin's theory of how music videos include intertextual references this being popular culture of models. Finally when the video comes towards the end we see how there is an white pensioner who seems to be on Micheal's side and calls the police on the detective.  

When listening to the lyrics of Billie Jean the song is very significant as it is basically Micheal confessing his innocence. The song is originally about a story that had come out in the press        about how he had impregnated a woman, this story had become critical to his career as at first everyone had believed the woman over Micheal. However they soon later came to discover he was actually right and expresses his views through these various lyrics : 'the truth becomes a lie', 'law was on her side' ' she's just a girl who claims that I am the one'.  When looking at the video and lyrics we can see how Goodwins theory is proven that there is a link between lyrics and the video itself. This is shown by the idea that in the music video Mr Jackson is being hunted and spied on by someone and this could portray how in real life he had been pestered by paparazzi and fake news. The video also ends with the spy being the one who gets caught which could also suggest that they have tried to again show that because of Micheal Jacksons colour, it doesn't mean he is a criminal and follows these stereotypes given to the black community. In addition to this although the video has tried to erase the picture of many black stereotypes, they also decided to show a few that shadow a positive figure. An example of this is the stereotype that Black people have rhythm. This was shown by MJ when he used his own stylised choreography to express his dance moves in time to the beat.

In conclusion I believe that this video had been a hit because of they way it destroyed the negative stereotypes of the black identity and embraced the positive ones. 

MICHAEL JACKSON - BILLIE JEAN

Michael Jackson - BILLIE JEAN 

First impressions - 

- Detective, bad 
- Michael Jackson, good 
- White light effects, show innocence and purity 
- Billboards of white women 
- Disappears every time he is nearly caught 
- Magical negro 
- MTV, first black artist breakthrough
- Religious / spiritual 
- First black singer shown on MTV 
- Iconic television moment with the first ' Moonwalk Dance' 

Goodwin’s music video theory

- 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.

Michael Jackson: defining genre

Michael Jackson largely defined the modern music video with Billie Jean. He followed it with two bigger-budget videos: Bad (directed by Martin Scorcese) and Thriller (directed by John Landis) – pushing the boundaries of the music video genre.

Both of these later videos were effectively short films that leaned heavily on film genres – using well established film directors. This reinforced the intertextual element of his music videos and helped to create the Michael Jackson identity of the 1980s and 1990s.

THE MUSIC VIDEO - 

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."

Synopsis- He's singing about how you should always think about your actions twice because you don't know how they could come back and haunt you. In Jackson's case he slept with a pretty girl and ended up breaking her heart and she turned a bit obsessive and made up a lie he impregnated her. This led to Michael's song as everyone had been on her side and he also reference the bible when saying about '40 days and 40 nights'. 

Rick James 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.

Black Stereotypes 

-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, ( The Black Buck ) - in the negro, all the passions, emotions, and ambitions are almost entirely dominated by the sexual instinct”

-the absentee father 

-the violent black man as drug-dealing criminal and gangster thug.

Representations -

- musical inovator 

- Clean - guy next door image

- Hero 

- Dancer

- Protagonist 

- Innocent 

A MILLION REASONS

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

A MILLION REASONS - LADY GAGA

A million Reasons

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.

Minecraft essay

Minecraft essay - 

Create an essay discussing the evolution of Minecraft as part of the essay you will discuss

how ownership of Minecraft has affected the games evolution

How Minecraft is marketed to a variety of audiences The development of the game through technological change 

Minecraft is a sandbox video game originally created by Swedish game developer Markus Persson on 17th May 2009, which was then later released to the public in 2011 by the company Mojang. The game allows players to build a virtual reality world with building blocks. Other activities in the game include exploration, resource gathering, crafting, and combat. A sandbox game is where players are free to roam and make choices about how they use available content. Sandbox games are often described as having open world settings and it has been found that a majority of players are between 15 and 21 by a recent survey. However, the game is aimed to anyone ranging from 3-81+ and they encourage any ages to play.

When Markus Persson first created the game in 2009 he was inspired by other single-player construction games e.g - Dwarf Fortress and many described it as a virtual world of lego. The game uses a simple code called 'JAVA' which perssons created himself and this led to Minecraft being the second most successful video game of all time being Tetris. Players were fascinated by Minecraft's freedom and its creativity and within a month, Minecraft had sand, water, lava and dynamic lighting. The game then developed and the Minecraft's Creeper survival mode began testing, this attracted more audiences making it for Persson to leave his day job in May 2010 due to the amount of money that the game made through the different versions that was made such as the survival mode. Later in 2010 Minecraft then explored the idea of multiplayer which made the game even more popular due to the interactive theme that the majority of gamers enjoy.


In November  2011 Minecraft full version was released and prior to the game’s official release, Minecraft had over 16 million registered users and 4 million purchases. Perssons original choice of Java code was not really made for games as heavyweight as Minecraft was becoming, this then caused slight bugs which were then soon eliminated. Due to its popularity, Minecraft was released across multiple platforms becoming a commercially viable franchise with increased interactivity. In particular, Minecraft: Pocket Edition was released on Sony Xperia Play, available on Sony Xperia smartphones. Minecraft also become available on Android and iOS devices shortly after. In 2013 it was announced that Microsoft would buy all rights to Minecraft for a large sum of $2.5 billion. Which had been a huge breakthrough for perssons and the game. This resulted in many different events like MineCon at London's Excel centre and they also broke the Guinness world record for the largest convention for a single video game.

Minecraft continued to try and approach new audiences, So in 2012 Minecraft set up an educational programme where children could learn with Minecraft and this helped to increase their skills of coding, engineering, creative problem solving and teamwork. This was a huge hit and had lots of positive feedback. Furthermore, Microsoft developed the code of Minecraft in 2013 with a complex C++ code and this meant that the game could now be used by Multiplatform users and the appearance become a more detailed and sophisticated style which was done to increase profits. As technology developed and the world of virtual reality was introduced Minecraft tried to develop their own edition of virtual reality and so they teamed up with Oculus in 2014. The virtual version was later released in 2016 and had many positive reviews because it was immersive, life like, more active and cross platform. 

Minecraft has had many ways of advertising and promoting their brand and many of these were done for free by word of mouth. By the incline of Social media and Youtube Minecraft was promoted through videos and memes and posts all by other popular influencers. An example of a well known Youtuber would be 'Sky does Minecraft' which has a fanbase of 11.6 million subscribers. Has a total of 3.7 billion views and posts daily vlogs. Although social media has been a huge impact to their marketing the synergy between lego and Minecraft has also promoted the brand. The synergy attracted a younger audience and this meant that Minecraft was appealing to all. 

Overall, Minecraft was a game that has never stopped evolving snd has been able to sell to this, well over 121 million copies across all platforms, including over 27 million PC copies, making it the biggest selling PC game of all time and by the development of technology has continued to be one of the most successful games to date.