BEYONCÉ - FORMATION
Dylan Koolman
Mise en Scene elements used to show the political side to the video
Police car being stood on which is drowning in water• Reflective of hurricane
Katrina that hit in 2005 whereby white victims were rescued however black victims were left behind. Use of Barthes (1974) Referential code which relates to real life events
Houses with elaborate décor and big flashy outfits• Reflects black slavery most
notably exploited by cotton farm owners who enslaved black people to pick cotton for very low wages. Reversal of position shows how black people are no longer afraid and are showing how they’re just as able to be in a position of authority
Little boy dancing in front of police• Reflective of how police
brutality is very high. Many cases have surfaced about police illegally and unjustly beating and arresting black people but they’re not being caught or tried for it. The police holding up their hands in surrender show how the police are in the position where they need to be founded for their crimes.
Sounds used to highlight issues that exist in the world
Police sirens further highlights previously mentioned issues with the police. Also used to raise awareness of the issues that circulate with the police and the struggle black people face
Lyrics empowers people
• Makes people want to keep going "We gon' slay" elements of being together as a collective unit. Unification is used as a mechanism to encourage people to stand together against adversity in times of strife.
Editing used to emphasise black culture
Cuts to people dancing, in parades, in the streets, standing guard• Relates to how black culture is
rich with many different angles, as shown by the short shot durations, and therefore is being showcased and embraced within the video in order to convey the emotion of pride within the music industry of what it means to be black
Camera angles to show the fearlessness of black people
Low angles used mainly on the main singer
• Shows how through all of the racism, brutality and injustice, black people are not afraid and will continue as a community to remain united and strive to be as strong as they always were in the face of adversity.
• Proves how those within the media, law, public or government have no longer got the right to control and exploit black people and cannot neglect their rights any longer.