Formation Music Video (R)

Question 1

When was the Formation music video released?

Answer 1

The day before Beyonce performed at the Super Bowl (2016)

Question 2

What awards did the Formation music video win?

Answer 2

The Clio Award for Innovation

Question 3

What was the Formation music video about?

Answer 3

The flooding in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina and the associated racial tension in America. It also draws historical parallels with references to racism and slavery.

Question 4

Formation music video intertextuality

Answer 4

• There is footage taken from a documentary about rap culture in New Orleans called That B.E.A.T
• References to news footage of police brutality (e.g. the lone dancing boy)

Question 5

Significance of dress codes in Formation

Answer 5

Antebellum dresses are seen to reference slavery which contrasts with the stereotypical “pop” signifiers such as tight fitting/revealing clothing in some of the dance sections

Question 6

(Formation) Barthes semiotics theory - conform or challenge?

Answer 6

It conforms!

There is a concept of signifier/signified specifically with Beyonce and other Black women wearing white dresses which are referencing the antebellum era of America.

Question 7

Purpose of the music vidoe

Answer 7

One of the main purposes of the video was finance and profit. It is argued whether the video was to promote a political/cultural agenda or if it was simply to generate publicity and make money.

Question 8

Race and ethnicity in Formation

Answer 8

There are a range of different representations of race and ethnicity.

Beyonce often makes direct address to the audience and stands in strong and powerful stances which would show the empowermentof Black people.

Question 9

Gender in Formation

Answer 9

it could be argued that Beyonce is possibly reinforcing and condoning the objectification of women due to the dance sections where she is wearing short and tight revealing outfits.

However, this could also be seen as her empowering women by encouraging them to ‘sexualize’ themselves and wear what they want to feel a sense of empowerment.

Question 10

(Formation) hooks’ feminist theory - conform or challenge?

Answer 10

The video could either be offering a strong message about gender or be feeding into the oppression of women in a patriarchal society

hooks believes that feminism is a struggle to end patriarchal oppression. Formation could be a part of the struggle or part of the oppression.

It is argued whether Beyonce is adopting feminism as a lifestyle choice to sell music or if she has made a political commitment to feminism.

Question 11

(Formation) Gilroy’s postcolonial theory - conform or challenge?

Answer 11

It challenges it!

The video challenges the idea of the racial hierarchy by subverting expectations and placing a black woman in the position of power and dominion. This may create a sense of binary opposition between races by reinforcing Gilroy’s sense of ‘otherness’ and a clear divide between racial lines.

In the black outfit with the jewellery and the hats, it is suggested that she is wealthy due to her clothing and accessories which subverts the stereotype of black people being poor and unsuccessful.

Especially when it is set against the traditional slavery-style plantation housing and the antebellum dresses.

Question 12

(Formation) Messi Maya

Answer 12

• sample of audio at the beginning of the video which is his voice
• famous YouTube star within black and LGBTQ+ communities
• famous for speaking out on issues of race, sexuality and Hurricane Katrina
• shot and died
• played around with gender expectations
• Beyoncé is targeting cultural icons that audience may be familiar with
• links to themes about racism and violence
• sued for using this audio without permission (disrespectful? Illusion of supporting black culture for marketing reasons)

Question 13

(Formation) ‘That B.E.A.T’ documentary

Answer 13

• several shots in the music video from it (blue flashing lights and police uniforms)
• about bounce music and fans in New Orleans
• communicates the theme of police brutality against black communities
• reflecting social, cultural and political contexts (e.g. BLM) which are familiar to audiences
• binary opposition between black people and police

Question 14

(Formation) Levi-Strauss’ structuralism theory

Answer 14

The video highlights the binary opposition between black communities and the police

By using the setting as a traditional plantation house and the use of the antebellum dresses she is using binary oppositions between how black people have been treated historically and the kind of things they are now able to achieve

Question 15

(Formation) Profanities used

Answer 15

Adds an aggressive and powerful/passionate feel to the video.

Connotes Beyoncé’s power - challenging the typical female representations of submissiveness.

The use of reclaimed racial slurs also might demonstrate themes of historical discrimination and a desire to reclaim this previously oppressed power.

Question 16

(Formation) Representation of Beyoncé in first short - police car

Answer 16

• Loosely framed, wide-angle shots of her on top of the police car make her seem quite independent.
• Low angles, combined with her confident, more typically masculine body language make her seem overfill and in control.
• challenges gender stereotypes
• tone of lyrics makes her seem confident and self-assured

Question 17

(Formation) Representation of Beyoncé in Antebellum clothing

Answer 17

• holds herself in formal, strong and powerful manner
• camera uses tracking shot moving towards her (makes her focus of the shots) which creates a sense of importance

Question 18

(Formation) Representation of Beyoncé in black outfit

Answer 18

• expensive clothing (jewellery/hats)
• suggesting that she is wealthy and successful (common for artists in MV)
• might appeal to her audience who aspire to be her and see her as a role model
• might be to subvert stereotypes of black people who are often seen as being poor/less successful (Gilroy’s theory)

Question 19

(Formation) Representation of the children

Answer 19

Might signify that discrimination is still happening to young black people today - discrimination isn’t over.

Although, their smiling faces/dancing might connote that the treatment of black people has changed and there is hope for the black youth of today. (Drawing parallels between past, present and future)

Question 20

(Formation) Newspaper of MLK

Answer 20

Uses on of his famous sayings about being a “dreamer”

Intertextual reference to a real person from history - who most people will know - draws attention again to the way racial discrimination has been an ongoing issue for a long time.

Constantly referencing issues from the past e.g. slavery, MLK and Hurricane Katrina

Question 21

(Formation) Reference to her own cultural background

Answer 21

Suggests that she is proud of her heritage and that she is celebrating the rich diversity and ethnicity within America.

Question 22

(Formation) Reference to the Jackson 5

Answer 22

• references the noses of Jackson 5
• wider noses/larger nostrils are common amongst black people and are represented by the mainstream media to be unattractive
• in liking these noses, it sends a message about black culture and beauty that they should be proud of it
• challenges more colonialist/western representations in the mainstream media of black features being shown as ‘other’ compare to white westernised beauty ideals

Question 23

(Formation) Big Freedia

Answer 23

• audio sample with her voice
• gay male musician and tv star (female pronouns - but not trans) - LGBTQ+ are usually under-represented in media, particularly in MV
• represents Beyoncé as inclusive, progressive and accepting within race AND gender/sexuality
• popular in bounce community which would engage audiences (pre-sold audience)
• use of the celeb collab represents Beyoncé as successful and popular

Question 24

(Formation) Wig shop

Answer 24

• tracking shot through the shop
• references the popularity of wigs/hairpieces with many black women
• the many different types of wigs highlights the fact that there are many different ways to celebrate your ethnicity

Question 25

(Formation) Young boy dancing/police officers

Answer 25

Low angle of police and uniform - dominant and intimidating

The police not doing anything is perhaps a reference to the BLM protests where young black people stood up to police. It is a direct opposition to what has been shown in the media - this is perhaps how Beyoncé believes it should be.

Boy dancing on his own - vulnerable or in a position of power as he just carries on dancing, not shy or scared

Question 26

(Formation) Beyoncé and female dancers

Answer 26

• sense of unity and community (suggesting black women are powerful when they work together
• sexualisation - more typical of women in music videos
• leotards, shorts, stockings, high heels, revealing clothing
• challenging traditional gender roles with low angle shots of women (makes them seem powerful)
• powerful and determined body language
• ‘I see it, I want it, I take it’ (powerful and successful)

Question 27

(Formation) Why has Beyoncé chosen to represent people in these different ways?

Answer 27

• reputation as a ‘political artist’ (known to be in political campaigns e.g. funds for Hurricane Katrina)
• as a black female herself, she may have experienced discrimination before and wants to highlight issues in US
• target audience (primarily women) may be engaged by representations of strong women (challenging stereotypes)
• black audiences may enjoy the subversion of historic ideas and a more powerful representation of black people
• designed to be unusual and engaging in an attempt to gain money (main point of MV is to promote song and make money)