Earth song by Michael Jackson ten frames

Earth song
By Michael Jackson
Music video analysis
Ten frames

This is a narrative music video as the artist is telling a story with the music video and with the lyrics. However, it does have some elements of a performative music video such as Michael Jackson lip synching.

The first shot is a panning low angle shot that is used to established the setting which is in a jungle surrounded with wildlife. This shot has a long duration and it is being used to create a tranquil atmosphere. The emphasis on the sun suggests happiness.

Later in that same shot fog starts to set in which creates a sense of mystery and the unknown. Then it is realised that the smoke is pollution as the camera spots a vehicle pushing through branches and drives straight towards the camera until the screen turns black.

This transition is very smooth as the screen goes black then fades into a dark scene with an orange background which represents fire. Then you realise that it is the same place as the green, peaceful jungle that was previously shown. This shot is a long shot in order to establish the new setting.

Then it is the same position but as a medium shot, this shot is introducing the artist to the viewer therefore he fills the frame whilst keeping emphasis on the scenery. He is wearing black and red which is establishing the mise-en-scene. Red has connotations with blood and death with reflects the background/ atmosphere of the shot.

The next shot is of a dead elephant this is used to create sympathy for the animal and to express the terrible outcomes of deforestation. 

Then the shot flashes to a tracking shot positioned behind the elephant which shows another dead elephant with people standing over them that appear to be native villagers. 












Then the video jumps to a mid shot of the natives zooming inwards. The mise-en-scene is carried forward as they are wearing red and neutral colours, these are not usually colours you would see in a jungle therefore presenting that everything that's happening (or going to happen) is unnatural and unethical.

The next shot is a close-up of one of the natives, this shot is used to present his emotions to the audience. The natives are shown to present to the viewers that even if it may not directly affect us it is affecting many people that we don't realise.

Then the music video refers back to the artist who's lip synching, the shot is only for a short duration this may be because he doesn't want to focus to be on him but to be on the issue he's protesting against.

The lyrics of the next shot are 'did you ever stop to notice' this line of lyrics is asking whether we appreciated the beauty before we destroyed it. The shot smoothly transitions from the destroyed jungles filled with fire, through fog to the past jungle that was filled with trees. This shot links with the lyrics in order to make the viewers think about what could happen to the jungles and the destuction that could be caused in the future if nothin is done to protect it.