So, we have now completed our thriller film, research and blogging process! I'm sure we'll put marks on here as soon as we know them! But for know, lets start with music videos!
So I'm going to analyse a very iconic music video from the 70's/80's (Not sure which, my guess is eighties). I'm going to study Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' video. Firstly, some background info on the production of the video. It was directed by John Landis, a very famous film director, who Jackson recruited to direct this music video. It features a heavy reliance on prosthetics and make-up, as the cast are made up entirely of 'the living dead'. At the beginning of the video, there's a scene with former playboy centrefold Ola Rey, and a voceover by Horror voiceover veteran Vincent Price. The video is thirteen and a half minutes long, and has won two grammy awards and four mtv awards. It is considered one of the 'Most influential music videos in pop culture', as it began the trend of merging film-making and music videos. The red jacket Jackson wears is an iconic piece of clothing, and when fans or society for that matter, sees the red jacket with black stripes, they immediately associate it to Thriller. The dance performed by Jackson and the 'living dead' has also become a wordwide phenomenon, with people dancing along to it all over the globe. It is one of Jackson's most iconic songs, and the music video is also another of Jackson's many triumphs in that of the music industry.
So, firstly, I absolutely adore this video! I've always loved listening and watching when it comes to this song and video since I was very small, and has influenced me in many ways. The actual song Thriller has been a favourite of mine ever since I was little, mainly because It's a very upbeat tune to dance to, but also because of the music video. I have to admit, when I first watched the video, it scared me, especially when Michael turns into a zombie! But now I can dully appreciate the aspects of this music video that make it iconic and world-renowned.
I'm going to do it via bullet points, because it helps me make more concise points so I don't waffle on for hours :)
Good points:
-The storyline. Absolutely genius! It was partially Michael that wrote the screenplay, and partially the director John Landis, and when combining the two, it makes a fabulous zombie music fest! I think that using the concept of being 'inside' a horror movie is a brilliant one because I think it is every kid's nightmare to be trapped inside house full o' zombies. So this attracts the younger generation straight away because they want the thrill of schadenfreude, the feeling you get when you're watching something you don't want to happen to you, but is entertaining to watch someone else go through it. I also find the use of the actual 'living dead' characters very exciting to watch because they are genuinely scary! Especially when dancing the horrific dance and singing along to a song about being scared, its sure to scare anyone watching it!
-The dance. I thoroughly enjoy watching the fantastic dance routine performed by Jackson and the zombies. Those dance moves have become iconic on dancefloors all over the world, and is rated one of the top five dance routines in music culture of all time. I always love dancing along whenever I hear the iconic chorus.
-The prosthetics, make-up and costumes. I particularly like these because they really bring the piece together and make it a true 'horror' music video. Especially, make-up wise, when Michael transforms into a zombie, the change in his face is horrific! That really scares me whenever I watch the video, because it is one of my greatest fears, being turned into a zombie. Also with regards to clothing, I researched this video and found out that the iconic red jacket with stripes own the side, is a gift given to Michael by the directors wife, Deborah Landis, to make him look more 'volatile'. I think the use of very deep red connotes blood and death, which is definitely an overarching theme in this piece.
-Lastly, the setting. I adore the setting of the spooky haunted house because in old horror B movies, they're always set in old spooky houses, which helps the video fit the stereotype of B movies. I enjoy this feature because the setting is actually quite scary to look at, especially as its dark and its deserted, a typical set-up for horror movies.
So, there you go. Thats why I love this music video and this song.
Now here's the full-length video for you to watch and enjoy!
Thank you! :)
Good start Ruby but remember to make your post visually interesting by using screen grabs as they can becoem very text heavy. Some screen shots of the red jacket, make up,playboy model, Vincent Price etc would have worked very well.
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