Alvarado (1987)

Representations of Ethnicity 
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Alvarado (1987) identified four main types...
-The humorous: providing comic relief.
-The exotic: other cultures presented as unusual and exotic in their traditions and ways of living.
-The pitied: objects of pity and vulnerability.
-The dangerous: criminal, gangster and usually coupled with a binary opposition such as the respectable white character.

Positive Representations of Ethnicity 
Michael Jackson as a young black male can be seen in a positive light:
-He gives money to the poor and transforms their life.
-Voyeurism is used (the notion of looking).
-He is seen as the star - light up flooring, light up bed, screen time.

Negative Representations of Ethnicity
Michael Jackson as a young black male can be seen in a negative light:
-He has been accused of doing something - creating a scandal - why he is being chased by the press.
-Being deceitful - telling people to keep quiet.
-Disappearing when the reporter tries to catch up with him.

How is ethnicity and star image shown through mise-en-scene? Consider stereotypes.

Facial Expression -
Costume - Michael Jackson is dressed as the typical pop star. The detective is shown as a stereotypical detective with his trench coat, hat and glasses.
Positioning - He is positioned away from the detective because he is being elusive. Michael Jackson is shown in most of the screen so shows his power.