Textual Analysis
Thriller-Micheal Jackson
Directed by John Landis 1983.

Thriller is a 14-minute music video that is regarded as the 'greatest music video of all time' due to the way it influenced music video and revolutionised pop culture. This music video influenced others to created music videos in a style of a film.



Generic Codes and Conventions
Film codes and conventions- Graveyard is a convention of horror alongside the full moon and helpless/scared girl. The creatures in the music video that rise from the grave is a convention of horror films aswell. Also Vincent Price was an actor of a series of horror films and did the voice-over within the thriller music video.
Music video conventions- choregraphed dancing
lip sycing
Tells a story (narrative)

Mise en Scene
American teen clothing- evident on Michael Jackson and the female performer therefore relating to their young target audience.
Low Key lighting and Backlighting - creates a sinister atmosphere which relates to the feeling of being scared which is what thriller is about.

Shot Size/ Camera Angle
Continuity Editing- using straight cuts makes the music video look seamless and professional.
Medium Close Up- used to see Michael Jackson.
Long Shot- used to show the dancing.
High Angle Shot- used on the female performer to make her look vunerable and helpless.
Low Angle Shot- used on Michael Jackson to make him look superior over the girl.

Intertextuality
Zombie Films- Night of the living dead- George A Romero, (with the use of zombies in the music video)
Werewolf Films- American Werewolf in London-John Lands, used when Micheal Jackson turns into a werewolf. Also Rick Baker done the make-up for American Werewolf in London and for the Thriller music video.

Effects
Smoke machine
Dry Ice- Smoke is heavy whilst the lighting is low creating a sinister atmosphere.

This music video is a combination of narrative, performance and concept based music video.