Formation - Beyonce (2016)

A representation allows people a way to make sense of the world. People care about this because it has an effect on how people are then seen within society, because it cultivates a certain ideology. Representation then constructs reality, such as a self fulfilling prophecy.

Analysis of Anaconda - 

  • All the dancers in this video are dressed in a sexualised manner and are posed and dancing in this way as well
  • Set in a jungle, which could show they are wild and maybe uncivilised as they aren't dressed properly
  • The women in this video are all curvy and aren't very slim, and this is a stereotypically attractive body type for BEM women
  • She adopts a housewife role, however it is subverted because she is dressed in a sexualised costume 

Analysis of Gucci Gang by Lil Pump - 
  • Mise-en-scene of a tiger displays his aggression and his power, and displays him a being ferocious
  • It's set in a school and this connotes to rebellion
  • The amount of cannabis he is holding displays his status as a drug dealer
  • Uses and gratifications of escapism
  • Young girls rolling eyes at teacher shows no respect, and diplays that they have attitude because they aren't doing what he is saying 
  • Many aspects of this video display tripping on drugs, for example the use of drugs and the hallucinogenic imagery of the tiger and purple lights
CONTEXT OF FORMATION:
  • Leading single for the album "Lemonade"
  • Has won several awards, for example the Clio Award for innovation and Creative Excellence in 2016 awards and was nominated for a grammy at the 59th Grammy awards.
  • Was set at the time of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans

BINARY OPPOSITIONS AND CONFLICT IN FORMATION :

  • Beyonce is on top of a sunken police car, which displays power and rebellion as well as her facial expressions looking rebellious
  • Intertextual references of the persecution of black people
  • Hanging out the side of a car, which is illegal and conflicts with her calm facial expression
  • Contrast between the poor, dilapidated, neighbourhood and rich antebellum house as well as Beyonce's antebellum dress.
  • The use of the antebellum dress is a type of cultural appropriation as the dress signifies white women from the american South who were the wives of slave traders and owners. It displays her power over the past. 
  • Dancers in the empty pool are wearing oversized glasses and loose afros, and this would display that they are more normal people and Beyonce with them.
EXAMPLES OF MOVEMENT:




Movement here is effective because they are strong and jerky and this connotes to powe








Movement here and the girls in a gang shows that they are strong and also creates a sense that women are strong together






Middle fingers are generally considered rude and unladylike, however could also displays how she is trying to rebel against her past






INTERTEXTUALITY WITHIN FORMATION:
  • Use of clips from 'That B.E.A.T' (2012) 
  • Brings in New Orleans bounce music however it doesn't make reference of the fact that it is by the gay community, and this is left out.
  • In comparison to 'That B.E.A.T' which is inclusive and pleasant, Formation is exclusive and aggressive.

Hyper reality - refers to the idea that representations within media texts are more real than that which they represent. Some of these representations are simulacrum. This refers to a representation of something that no longer exists or never did.



A 'bricolage' is where there are lots of different elements of different time periods and styles that are combined within a media product. Using this, it creates an ideology that times haven't changed and that black people are still being treated poorly.


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