Michael Jackson analysis

The most expensive music video ever produced is Michael Jackson's music video for his song 'Scream' which cost around $7 million. From the very beginning both genders are portrayed as good elegant and kindness, we can tell this because both Michael (male) and Janet (female) are both wearing the colour white. This is enhanced throughout the video as the lighting is very with and light. However, 31 seconds in we see a shot of both Male and female characters. In this shot the male is closer to the camera and the female is further back, this could symbolize male dominance.
At 26 seconds in we see Janet Jackson looking scared and worried in a very cramped room, she is naked except for white headphones, you can see this in the image above. This could symbolize weakness and vulnerability in her female character. This image is literally blown away shortly as we see both characters break out of their small rooms, from this point on they take on an aggressive role, I feel this as they have angry expressions and are acting in an aggressive manor, for example at 38 seconds in Janet Jackson is scratching herself, and at 39 seconds Michael Jackson punched in the direction of the camera. Furthermore both genders have very 'spiky' costumes, this helps enforce the fact that the genders are aggressive.

Janet clawing herself

Michael punching

I feel that both the male and female stereotypes are broken in this video, for example the typical 'delicate' women do not appear in the video, instead we see a strong aggressive woman. She is not blonde or wearing a dress, she has dark hair and wearing a spiky jumpsuit. This gives her a dark demeanour. For the male the stereotype pop singer would be well built and have short hair, however in this video the lead male (Michael Jackson) has very long black hair, which can be portrayed as slightly feminine. He is also very skinny which does not give him the 'pretty boy' appearance we would expect from a male pop singer.


The setting for the video is in a spaceship, this indicates that both genders are living a posh and lavish lifestyle. We get the impression that the lead male is a bit of a rock star, I feel this as we see him smashing a guitar on the floor, like what rebellious rock stars did in the 70's.



56 seconds in we see Michael Jackson acting aggressively towards the female character, oncer again this is portraying the female as weak and the male characters dominant. These roles are quickly reversed when the blocking of the shot at 0:59 indicates that it is the female that is dominant as she is the character closest to the camera and it is Michael that is behind. However throughout the video both genders are given very strong and outgoing persona's. They are made to look controlling and at some times intimidating. This is constantly portrayed by their actions as they kick and punch towards the screen and are often flying around.

Sexuality is also present throughout the video by both genders, however it is mainly the female gender that is portraying the most sexuality, this is enforced at 26 seconds in were we see Janet Jackson half naked.





Furthermore, at 2:26 we see her just in her bra, this is very provocative and supplies the voyeurism of the video.This is stereotypical of a female pop star.





Throughout the video Michael makes aggressive moves, for example, at 0:50 seconds we see Michael smash his guitar on the floor, this gives him am authoritative persona. Although both genders are mainly portrayed as strong and independent, they are also portrayed as vulnerable sometimes as well. For example at 0:32 seconds although Janet is wearing an aggressive black spiky outfit, she is wrapping her arms around herself with a worried expression. Michael also has a worried expression at this point as well.


Vulnerable Jacksons

Aggressive Jacksons

This video is often seen as a stab at the media, showing that even though he has received a lot of negative attention from media he came back fighting with this very successful and extremely expensive video, you can see this in the photo below, were it appears Janet Jackson is shrugging off the negative, as if to say 'i don't care' to enforce this Michael is dancing joyfully without a care in the world behind her.
The set of the video is in outer space, the two leading characters are portrayed as powerful as they on top of the world, showing that they are bigger then the world, which at the time Michael Jackson was the most famous pop star in the world, the world was his.