Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

Micheal Jackson is a well known pop singer all over the world, he is referred as "the king of pop". Micheal Jackson is famous for his music, his dancing in his music videos and his red jacket. Micheal Jackson started his career as a young boy in a pop singing group with his brothers, they were known as "The Jackson 5".

Rockin' Robin (1971)

The early videos for the jackson 5 were very experimental, as pop videos were not as popular at the time. The videos were usually basic and were simply used to promote the band/song. Most people at the time would of listened to the song on the radio, as services like youtube did not exist at the time.

Rock with you (1978)


Rock with you was Michael Jackson's first single in his solo career. the video showed Michael Jackson's dance talent, and further emphasised the fact that he was going solo, with the use of the camera focusing only on him and the unique costume making him stand out.

Billie Jean (1982)


billie jean was the first Michael Jackson video that included a story. This trend was continued in Michael Jackson's later videos, which also shared a narrative theme. this video also included Michael Jacksons trademark of lighting up the pavement as he walks.

Beat It


This music video aims at telling a story between two fighting gangs, the focus is not on Michael Jackson as he doesn't even appear at the start of the video. Like Michael Jacksons later videos, this music video is heavily choreographed, with professional dancers/actors accompanying Michael Jackson. The video shows a creative use of dancing to reflect the fight between the two gangs, and also features Michael Jacksons iconic red jacket and fashion, such as short trousers with white socks.

Thriller


Thriller is considered the most famous music video of all time, it was one of the first music videos to appear in the library of congress national film database in 2009., and is also one of the most successful, selling over 9 million copies. The main music video also acted as a short film, and appeared in cinemas even though it was only 13:20 long.

Black or white



The music video for 'black and white' was released at the time when racism in america was a big concern. It was also released at the time where criticisms were shown towards Michael Jackson, who was accused of bleaching his skin. The video shows how the colour of someones skin does not affect who they are.

Scream



At the time of its production, Scream was one of the most expensive music videos ever made. however some criticisms were shown towards the video compared to his previous videos, including the fact that it was in black and white and didn't include aspects of the dance choreography from other videos. The song was released to show anger towards the tabloid media, and the controversy surrounding Michael Jackson at the time.

Case Study - Katy Perry

Case Study - Katy Perry

Katy Perry is an american pop singer who became famous in the year 2008. She got famous with her songs which we all know around the world. These songs were 'I kissed a girl' and 'Hot N Cold'. She currently has sold over 11 million albums, 81 million singles and has attained 5 number #1 singles so far in her music career.

How her pop videos appeal to her target audience and reflect her private life?

Katy Perry's target audience are young teenage girls, in a age group of 14-17. To be able to appeal towards her age group she has to be like an older sister/friend, be able to reflect some of the anxieties that young girls have, and be someone that the young girls can admire, look up too and want to be when they get older. (Looking sexy in a non-threatening way)

How her pop videos appeal to her target audience and reflect her private life?

Hot N cold (2008)

Katy Perry's earliest song is Hot N cold. This is a parody song of the 'runaway bride' stereotype. Katy Perry plays the bride who is stood up, this is whilst the man acts as the 'runaway bride'. This shows Katy Perry in a empowering and strong way, this is as she is chasing after the 'runaway bride'. This is what the man usually does, chase the woman.

Last Friday night (2010)


This music video is a intertextual, the reason for this is because the start could be compared to the opening of a movie, this is as well as the credits at the end. This video shows the audience that it is fine to be different, as despite the fact that she has a makeover, she comes back to her original appearance at the end and earns respect for throwing her party.

Firework (2010)



This music video is slightly similar to 'last friday night', the reason for this is because it shows the same message that it is okay to be different. The use of the fireworks is to show her target audience that they all have something special about them.What this does is it presents the video as being empowering to females, however the use of men in the video may also present the video as being empowering to people in general.

California Girls (2010)


Unlike her previous videos, this music video presents Katy Perry in a sexualised way. The music video was shot at the time when Katy Perry was  married to controversial actor/comedian Russell Brand. The marriage to Russell Brand and her new image may of alienated some of her younger fans, who saw Katy Perry as empowering, without the need of a man.

Wide Awake (2012)


This video was released soon after Katy Perry's divorce to Russell Brand. It reconnects with her female fans and may act as an 'apology' video towards them. The music video also shows the message of female empowerment, with Katy Perry punching the man at the end, who may represent Russell Brand. The younger version of Katy Perry may represent Katy Perry as regaining her innocence.

Roar 


The message of this video is similar to fireworks, which is self empowerment. The video shows how Katy Perry does not need a man to be powerful, as we see that Katy Perry survives in the jungle on her own.

Audiences - Reception Theory

Audiences - Reception Theory

This is a way in which we react to different types of media texts. This is a theory which was suggested by Stuart Hall in 1973. Stuart Hall Suggested that a audience receives to an text and then responds to a text differently. The different effects which are generated are varied responses. It is a way to be able to characterise and be able to group together different audience interpretations. 

Encoding/decoding theory

Stuart Hall suggested that a media text produced encode. A meaning in a text, which then the audience decode. This is the meaning if the text which might be decoded though things like the body, or a certain expression which may of been used in that media text. Some audiences may accept or reject the producers meaning of the media text. There three types of ways the a audience may decode a media text.

1. Preferred reading - audiences agree and accept what the producers are encoding

2. Negotiated reading - audiences partially agree with the encoded messages

3. Oppositional reading - audiences reject/disagree or decode the text differently

Example

The preferred reading of this text would be that the audience like both the watch and the actor. The negotiated reading may be that the audience like the actor but don't care for the watch. The oppositional reading may be that the audience have a dislike for both the watch and the actor, which means they dislike the whole advert.

(Worked with Ross)