MICHAEL JACKSON MUSIC VIDEO ANALYSIS“The way you make me feel”

Directed by Joe Pytka

VIDEO STYLE Mix of narrative and performance. The short version is 7 minutes long and the long version is

10 minutes. Includes his iconic dance moves:

Like a mini film, almost a soundie. This was a common aspect of Jacksons’ videos as they were known for being long showing the context in a film-like manner.

TEXTUAL ANALYSIS

The video contains voyeurism, particularly of the woman, who is dressed provocatively:

Silhouettes are also commonly used in the video:

This is a convention of love scenes in films which could be an explanation to why it was used.

TEXTUAL ANALYSIS

The camerawork also places emphasis upon Michaels dance moves:

When dancing, he is often the only one in the frame, or the one closest to the camera. This shows off his dance moves: what he is well known for.

TEXTUAL ANALYSIS

Michael Jackson was mainly known for his dancing skills which were edited to match the beat at one point.

His star image was also upheld in the video. He wore casual clothes as he did in other popular videos – ‘Earth song’ ‘Black or White’ etc.

PERSONALLY LIKED? REASONS?

We like the video because its like a short film giving us a good visual to go along with the lyrics:

“With the high heels on”

The videos storyline was of him chasing the girl and in the end finally getting her. This is similar to a ‘happy ever after’ found in films.

This made the video more enjoyable to watch, having the same effect on me that a film would.

THE IMPACT IT MADE IN THE TIME PERIOD IT WAS RELEASED IN The video did receive a lot of positive reviews, but the

dancing was criticised for being too provocative. Because of this, the video received mixed reviews from critics with some saying it was ‘iconic’ to others saying it was ‘inappropriate’.

Despite the critique about his bizarre dancing, his moves are now one of the main recognisable things about him- even today.

In 1987 when this video was released it stood out as not many artists had long narratives for a video. Also artists didn’t spend a lot of money on their video’s like he did.

In the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards ceremony, it received a nomination but lost to his sister’s (Janet) video for “The Pleasure Principle”.