The document analyzes various elements of Michael Jackson's music video for "Thriller". It discusses Andrew Goodwin's theory about links between the visual and musical aspects of the video. It also examines the costumes worn by Jackson and the female lead, how their outfits reflect the era and change throughout the video. Finally, it analyzes the camera angles, shots, and mise-en-scene used to create an eerie horror atmosphere and build suspense for the audience.

1. Textual AnalysisTextual Analysis
Michael JacksonMichael Jackson
ThrillerThriller
By Bobby SaltBy Bobby Salt

2. Andrew Goodwin’s Theory - LinkAndrew Goodwin’s Theory - Link
• There’s incidents throughout the clip that reveal clear links between theThere’s incidents throughout the clip that reveal clear links between the
visual and musical aspects. An example would when MJ says: “I’mvisual and musical aspects. An example would when MJ says: “I’m
not like other guys”, the sound effects then change from naturalnot like other guys”, the sound effects then change from natural
insects and wind, to creepy, suspenseful backing music, which theninsects and wind, to creepy, suspenseful backing music, which then
leads onto MJ turning into a werewolf like creature.leads onto MJ turning into a werewolf like creature.
• Goodwin’s theory also suggests the artists intent to promote themselvesGoodwin’s theory also suggests the artists intent to promote themselves
throughout their videos. This is evident within “Thriller”, as a variety ofthroughout their videos. This is evident within “Thriller”, as a variety of
close ups are used.close ups are used.

3. CostumesCostumes
• At the beginning of the clip, the stereotypical attire for young adults/ oldAt the beginning of the clip, the stereotypical attire for young adults/ old
teenagers in that specific era is put into place for both characters, (MJ:teenagers in that specific era is put into place for both characters, (MJ:
baseball jacket and jeans. Ola Ray: knitted jumper and dress). Similaritiesbaseball jacket and jeans. Ola Ray: knitted jumper and dress). Similarities
are apparent between MJ’s attire and Teen Wolf star MJ. Fox’s costume inare apparent between MJ’s attire and Teen Wolf star MJ. Fox’s costume in
the film. Intentional or not, it does reflect the popularity of certain clothingthe film. Intentional or not, it does reflect the popularity of certain clothing
in that era for high school males. Whereas Ola Ray’s attire simply reflectsin that era for high school males. Whereas Ola Ray’s attire simply reflects
her innocence and vulnerability to the scenario.her innocence and vulnerability to the scenario.
• As the clip progresses, the attire of both characters changes also. TheAs the clip progresses, the attire of both characters changes also. The
costumes seem to mature, as if they’re more suitable for young adults andcostumes seem to mature, as if they’re more suitable for young adults and
not just students, possibly reflecting the growth of each charactersnot just students, possibly reflecting the growth of each characters
confidence. With the colour red typically being seen as resemblingconfidence. With the colour red typically being seen as resembling
danger, MJ’s red leather jacket and trousers symbolise the danger he is asdanger, MJ’s red leather jacket and trousers symbolise the danger he is as
well as his want for attention and focus.well as his want for attention and focus.

4. Camera Angles/ShotsCamera Angles/Shots
• Throughout the music video a variety of camera angles are used. TheThroughout the music video a variety of camera angles are used. The
opening shot is a long shot of a car driving along the road. The cameraopening shot is a long shot of a car driving along the road. The camera
tracks the cars movement, zooming in as it does so. The car then beginstracks the cars movement, zooming in as it does so. The car then begins
to start having faults and breaking down. This happens over the course ofto start having faults and breaking down. This happens over the course of
the first 25 seconds of the video, straight away representing vulnerability,the first 25 seconds of the video, straight away representing vulnerability,
and giving that sense and feeling of being watched.and giving that sense and feeling of being watched.
• This is then followed by a few medium shots of them walking alone in theThis is then followed by a few medium shots of them walking alone in the
dark, emphasising that vulnerability. MJ then begins to transform into adark, emphasising that vulnerability. MJ then begins to transform into a
werewolf like creature, filmed using close ups and extreme close ups, towerewolf like creature, filmed using close ups and extreme close ups, to
reveal the horror and scare factor within MJ’s characteristics.reveal the horror and scare factor within MJ’s characteristics.

5. Mise-en-SceneMise-en-Scene
• The mise-en-scene from the beginning of the clip until the very last second is setThe mise-en-scene from the beginning of the clip until the very last second is set
up in order to create a horror based, eerie atmosphere. But whilst us, theup in order to create a horror based, eerie atmosphere. But whilst us, the
audience, can see and understand that, the characters involved just see it asaudience, can see and understand that, the characters involved just see it as
another ordinary night. The tree line that runs along side the road combinedanother ordinary night. The tree line that runs along side the road combined
with the moonlight emphasises the slight suspense the scene holds. This actswith the moonlight emphasises the slight suspense the scene holds. This acts
as a reason for the audience to feel on edge and slightly nervous.as a reason for the audience to feel on edge and slightly nervous.
• Tiny details which lie in the background of each setting build upon that horrorTiny details which lie in the background of each setting build upon that horror
genre as broken chain fences and run down buildings are visible throughout,genre as broken chain fences and run down buildings are visible throughout,
revealing to the audience that the characters are not in a safe environment.revealing to the audience that the characters are not in a safe environment.
• There’s a pattern occurring throughout the clip also. The colour red appears in aThere’s a pattern occurring throughout the clip also. The colour red appears in a
variety of places such as: MJ’s suit, the cinema chairs, the cinema’s buildingvariety of places such as: MJ’s suit, the cinema chairs, the cinema’s building
exterior and the movies advertisement font. This is all due to the colour red’sexterior and the movies advertisement font. This is all due to the colour red’s
meaning and reflection of danger.meaning and reflection of danger.

6. Mise-en-SceneMise-en-Scene
• The mise-en-scene from the beginning of the clip until the very last second is setThe mise-en-scene from the beginning of the clip until the very last second is set
up in order to create a horror based, eerie atmosphere. But whilst us, theup in order to create a horror based, eerie atmosphere. But whilst us, the
audience, can see and understand that, the characters involved just see it asaudience, can see and understand that, the characters involved just see it as
another ordinary night. The tree line that runs along side the road combinedanother ordinary night. The tree line that runs along side the road combined
with the moonlight emphasises the slight suspense the scene holds. This actswith the moonlight emphasises the slight suspense the scene holds. This acts
as a reason for the audience to feel on edge and slightly nervous.as a reason for the audience to feel on edge and slightly nervous.
• Tiny details which lie in the background of each setting build upon that horrorTiny details which lie in the background of each setting build upon that horror
genre as broken chain fences and run down buildings are visible throughout,genre as broken chain fences and run down buildings are visible throughout,
revealing to the audience that the characters are not in a safe environment.revealing to the audience that the characters are not in a safe environment.
• There’s a pattern occurring throughout the clip also. The colour red appears in aThere’s a pattern occurring throughout the clip also. The colour red appears in a
variety of places such as: MJ’s suit, the cinema chairs, the cinema’s buildingvariety of places such as: MJ’s suit, the cinema chairs, the cinema’s building
exterior and the movies advertisement font. This is all due to the colour red’sexterior and the movies advertisement font. This is all due to the colour red’s
meaning and reflection of danger.meaning and reflection of danger.