The 'Billie Jean' music video won Grammys for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance and Best Rhythm & Blues Song. The video broke the color barrier on MTV by being one of the first videos by a black artist to receive heavy rotation. It features Michael Jackson dancing and trying to escape paparazzi looking to spread false rumors that he fathered "Billie Jean's" child. Through its synchronization of visuals and music, use of close-ups, and portrayal of Jackson helping the less fortunate, the video communicates Jackson's message responding to accusations while showcasing his star qualities and talent.

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi_XLOBDo_Y

4. The ‘Billie Jean’ music video won the 1983 Grammy Award for Best
Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance and Best Rhythm & Blues Song
for the writer Michael Jackson.
The video for this song is often credited with breaking the colour
barrier on MTV, which debuted August 1, 1981. The clip for "Pass
The Dutchie" by Musical Youth was the first video by a black act to
make regular rotation on the network, but they were considered a
novelty, with no member older than 16.
Jackson's "Billie Jean" video was the first to make heavy rotation, and
more black faces started appearing on the network soon after,
notably Prince. MTV was accused of racism in this era, notably by

5. The use of:
• Bright Clothing
• Lighting
• Stylized choreography
• Fast beat
Is evocative
of a
MAINSTREA
M POP
Genre.
Conventionally, music videos will have a NARRATIVE.
Within the music video the paparazzi are seen to be
chasing Michael Jackson, in the hope to find coverage
for a potential story.
There is an evident connection/relationship between
the visuals and sounds presented within the music
video. One example, being that when he puts one foot
on the pavement, it lights up, which is coincidently
also in time with the beat/ rhythm. Furthermore, each
cut between shots also occurs right on the beat,
further emphasizing the synchronization between
both visuals and sounds, creating a flow of rhythm.
Another example, being at the beginning of the video

6. Furthermore, parallels can be drawn between
the lyrics of the song, alongside the visuals
presented on screen. An example being, ‘
beauty queen from a movie scene’ (0:30-
0:33) which connects to the fact that the
video has actually been set on a movie scene.
This evidently demonstrates how visuals and
lyrics, within the music video relate to one
another.
Secondly, another example is when the line
‘I’m not the one’ is sung. Michael Jackson is
evidently not seen to be in bed with a
woman, signifying his absence, which
provides an answer to the rumors that
indeed he is not the father.

7. The music video consists of numerous close up
shots, which depict Michael Jackson as a star. He is
shown at moment to literally turn everything he
touches into gold. This is evident at (0:50-0:54)
where Michael Jackson evidently turns the homeless
mans clothing into a suit. This creates a star image
motif, of Michael Jackson being a strong, talented
and powerful man.
The first image of Michael Jackson presented is at
(0:26) where the audience, are prone to the first
glimpse of Michael Jackson, thus engaging them.
The use of a high angle shot is used at (0:55) in
order for the audience to establish a setting. This
engages the audience with the narrative, in which
the music video is set.
The type of editing used is continual editing. The
editing has been done to reflect a natural flow,
which correlates with the narrative and visuals

8.  Close Ups and Freeze Frames are additionally shots used to
engage the audience with the artist himself, and those
surrounding him.
 Michael Jackson is evidently seen to be the first and last
image presented on the screen, creating a long-lasting
impression on the audience. In terms of editing, each shot
has been edited to match the pace of the beat, further
emphasizing the star qualities, of Michael Jackson.
 There is an element of voyeurism as arguably the audience is
positioned and permitted to watch Michael Jackson dancing,
as though watching him live. Furthermore, there is a shot
within the music video which consists of two females, whom
appear to represent the idealized version of a woman.
 There are two women on the billboards, and they are
portrayed to be looking down on him, evoking a sense of
‘watching’ and ‘looking’.
 One main scene which shows the notion of voyeurism or
‘looking’ is when the camera positioned in the window, is
shown to be taking a shot of a man (paparazzi), sneaking up
behind Michael Jackson, and the polaroid prints out showing
just the man and the pole with Michael Jackson missing.
 In addition, Michael Jackson himself is seen through the

9. The music video is known for having very
little intertextual references. Despite this,
there are references to film and media
industry, as he the use of a film set, and
location imply to the audience that Michael
Jackson is indeed perhaps critical of the
paparazzi, whom appear to be searching for
stories, where there are in fact none. This is
demonstrated within the video, with the
portrayal of a man who appears heavily
dressed up, whilst following Michael Jackson.
The narrative is portrayed as consistent
throughout, since Michael Jackson appears to
attempt to persuade everyone that he is not the
father. This is shortly followed by the paparazzi
Michael Jackson tries to escape from and flee.
This is Michael Jackson commenting on a true
personal experience, of a girl whom accused him
of getting her pregnant. These claims were
proven to be false.
Motif is presented throughout, with
Michael Jackson arguably showing
the audience a true representation of
himself. This is evident within the
beginning of the video, whereby he
gives a homeless man money. This
links closely with representation, and
the way in which Michael Jackson
decides to portray himself to the
audience.

10. In terms of representation of
gender, there is a somewhat equal
representation, despite there being
three men shown in the video
(Michael Jackson himself, a
homeless man & the paparazzi man)
compared to two women on the
billboards.
This positions the audience to see
themselves or identify themselves
within the music video, creating a
mode of address.
In terms of representation of race and
ethnicity, there is a less equal divide, and less
representation, of what some may argue,
ethnic minorities. Despite Michael Jackson
coming from black African descent, all the rest
of the people portrayed in the video, are
binary opposites, as they are all white. This
thus shows a less diverse cast, with the
homeless man, the paparazzi male and the
two women on the bill boards being all white.
As a result, some of the audience may not be
able to identify themselves within the video,
thus disengaging them or making them feel
less represented within Hollywood and the
music industry.
Representation of Michael Jackson is
arguably positive, as he tries to inform the
audience, about false rumours, through
the music video, which acts as a response
to all the allegations of him fathering the
child of ‘Billie Jean’ who is ‘not’ his ‘lover’.
In addition, Michael Jackson also aims to
act personal aspects of his life, and his
characteristics/ personalities, as he shows
that he gives money to those less
fortunate, thus implying he aims to help as
many charities as possible.

11. This is evident within the music video,
through the relationship of lyrics and
sounds. Throughout, Michael Jackson
appears to change his surroundings e.g.
gold, in time to the beat, additionally,
claiming to not be the father of Billie Jeans
son.
The narrative of the music video is quite
simple. Throughout, Michael Jackson
attempts to flee paparazzi who follow him, in
the hope of finding false and untrue stories.
This correlates to the accusations that
Michael Jackson fathered Billie Jeans son.
Technical aspects within the music video
include dance choreography, use of camera
shots and a narrative. These all contribute to
the end result, of a message to the
accusations held, as well as Michael Jackson
show casing his star qualities, through
numerous close ups and freeze frames,
which highlight many of Michael Jacksons’
qualities.