Music video revision

How is black identity encoded in the music video FORMATION by BEYONCE

Representation is the repeated way a group or community is shown in the media 

Representation is the way the producer constructs the world and aspects in it, including social groups, individuals, issues and events.

  • Who is being represented 
  • how are they represented 
  • What is the impact 
  • target audience
First look notes:


The video opens with Beyonce on top of a half submerged car in a flooded background this is reference to hurricane Katrina and the lack of support black communities where given intel relief aid to help rebuild communities shops and houses 

The police car being sat on is a part of a political statement about how she now has the power and is on top 

The anchorage of the non diegetic voice over saying "what happened in New Orleans" 

  • Fast pace shots of flooded community 
  • BEAT lgbtq dance community documentary clips used
  • Pastor mid shot low angle how he is raised up referencing religion and inclusion of how religion and spirituality is intwined to many black culture
  • These are complex representations 
  • Umbrella era refine where slavery was high and in the south women dressed in antebellum dress 
  • The antebellum south was when slavery was high and popular this being represented by Beyonce wearing this is reoppropriation as it was something that was used to reclaim power 
  • Lyrics anchor meaning
  • Alabama Louisiana south states that had all kinds of slavery plantations around 
  • Historical references with reclaiming 
  • Hair- so many different styles with lack of wigs that conform to standard beauty standards 
  • Tracking shot of  lower class area links to historical segregation 
  • Bricolage of different elements 
  • Binary opposition of the past and having segregation to now having power and wealth 
  • The video flips representation of not having any white representation 
  • Black women are in the forefront of this video and they are empowered 
  • Black hair shop really important to express empowerment 
  • "I like cornbread and collie beans" proud representation of building up their own black history 
  • Lack of colourist as there are a variety of skin tones with in the black community 
  • "Come on ladies now lets get in formation" - community and unity as a group 
  • formation also refers to a military move and how they are ready to fight for what stye believe in 
  • Twerking has become a huge sensation with links to owning black history and bounce dance 
  • Fetishisation of black culture and especially dance moves by the media 
  • postfeminism her wanting to use her body in a powerful way not for male gaze 
  • Nostalgic reference with the 80's video 
  • Black power movement and black lives matter 
  • Confrontational shot of Beyonce with her middle fingers up to the audience 
  • "if he fucks me good, I take his ass to red lobster"- she is the one who is more powerful linking to how men used to be like the powerful ones
  • References mardi gras 
  • "Black bill gates in the making"- you should know her as much as you know a white man 
  • Martin Luther king the most famous black figure head almost 
  • Little boy dancing infront of police officers showing how black communities aren't a threat 
  • the only white representation is of rigid police officers who are standing in formation 
  • Postcolonialism David gauntlet- still inequality 
  • police brutality cut together with scenes of spirituality in black churches- polysemic 
  • Representation in this video isn't straight forward 
  • Flicks between older people and the younger generation as inequality is still happening 


These are quick notes made with the class 



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