Formation textual analysis

Context


Formation, lead single for the album Lemonade, was released the day before Beyoncé performed at the Super Bowl final in February 2016. The Formation music video, directed by Melina Matsoukas, was released with the song.
This music video has won numerous awards including a Clio Award for Innovation and Creative Excellence in a Music Video at the 2016 awards, and has been nominated in the music video category at the 59th Grammy Awards.
The video is set against the backdrop of the flooding in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina and the associated racial tension in America, and also draws historical parallels with references to racism and slavery.
  • In what ways are the themes of conflict encoded in this video? What media language is used to show conflict? 
  • What are the functions and purposes of this music video? What is it trying to get its audience to do? How do you know?
  • What groups are represented in this music video? Are these representations typical or subversive?
  • Is this a typical music video? How do you know?

 




The mise en scene of the police bein drowned in the flood is telling the spectator Beyonce's political opinion on the police force, apart from that Beyonce is on top of the car shows anger towards the police force as it is almost as if she is drowning the car. Then there is also another scene of the police force lining up and being directed by a young black never happens. It just shows how much power the child has.

This Music video is showing the black audience how much power they have and they should be proud of the other heritage not be ashamed. Thus the use of the word 'slay' so it is like fighting against all the racism and hate towards them and be who they are. Beyonce also talks about her heritage and about her parent by also using an insult, 'negro' but then makes into a good thing. She also talks about Blue ivy's hair 'baby afro' which again is a thing that she wants to proud of their identity and the natural features they have.

 The representation in the music video isn't the typical representation. The mise en scene of the victorian clothing suggests a more elegant and classical look. Not to mention the setting which is also very classy there are large portraits of people. This is a typical music video as it has deeper meanings to it and messages they want to get across.


Task - using the textual analysis toolkit, analyse how the video to Formation creates meaning for its audience


'How does this media product create meaning for its audience?' This, and variations of it, is the most common single question that could come up in the exam. In fact, this question is pretty much the focus for every media lesson. 

However, rather than simply pointing things out, you must make explicit reference to media language in every single paragraph you write, and explain how it encodes meaning. 



Media Language 
Examples
Analysis- why was it used?
Effect on the audience
Camera Angles
 Mostly high or low angled shots of Beyonce and black women. This makes them seem stronger and shows their importance. Makes them look powerful. The audience knows that they're confident and it is abnormal for black women to be in the spotlight 
Editing 
 The editing is very smooth and is a motion editing. There's a flow to the editing  It's like a narrative and there's a story that's been told.  They don't have to reposition themselves as the editing itself is already smooth 
Mise-en-scene 
Lighting 
Lighting used in formation is mainly low-key dim lighting however it is scary, it isn't mysterious. It has a serious undertone.   To show the music isn't light-hearted and it is tackling serious issues that should be taken seriously. It helps to minimize any distraction that the audience and focus their attention where you want them to be 
Mise-en-scene 
Costumes and props 
 The costume used in the first is more classical and historical, it is the victorian attire. It makes Beyonce look poise and elegant. As well as her backup dancers the mise-en-scene of the fan makes her seem shy and more ladylike. It is like interception of the victorian era and the audience will recognise that, as it was a very noticeable era and everyone from that era had a distent clothing 
Binary oppression 
 The music from the actually the scene. e.g the background, costumes, settings.  The binary oppression subverts the traditional and stereotypical ideology that society have.  it grabs the audience's attention as it isn't stereotyped and is a different ideology. 








































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