Formation

• Formation


  An optional set text for component one section a on the A Level Media Studies educast specification
• Formation will only ever appear in A Level exam as a representation question in comparison to an unseen media product
• Formation could also appear as a media language question in Section B for an unseen music video
• Sample of audio at the start of Formation


  Taken from a YouTube star called Messi Mayan
• Messi Mayan


  • Played around with gender expectations, had purple or pink hair, was quite controversial, was popular within black communities for being outspoken about issues such as race, was unfortunately shot dead at a party several years ago
• Sampling Messi Mayan's voice at the beginning

  Perhaps a way for Beyonce to reference other cultural icons that her target audience might be familiar with, signifies link to themes about racism, crime and violence affecting the black community
• Beyonce was sued for sampling the audio from Messi Mayan without permission
• Police sirens and lights at the start of the video


  Communicate the theme of police brutality and the difficulties that black people face, particularly within America
• The images reference social, cultural, political and historical contexts in America, such as the Black Lives Matter movement and incidents of police brutality against black people
• Use of profanity in the music video

  Adds an aggressive or powerful feel, may communicate the anger and passion some people feel towards discrimination and racism
• Beyonce sitting on top of a police car

  May represent black people being dominant over the police, caused controversy as some interpreted it as Beyonce being anti-police
• The use of Big Freedia challenges the lack of representation of LGBTQ people and those who don't fit gender binaries in media products
• Big Freedia


  A gay male who uses female pronouns and does not consider herself trans, but is often misidentified as trans
• Big Freedia is very famous within the bounce music community
• Beyonce having celebrity friends in her videos

  Makes her seem more successful as an artist
• LGBTQ people and those who don't fit neatly into gender binaries are often not shown or misrepresented in media
• The use of Big Freedia in Beyonce's song and video represents Beyonce as being more inclusive, accepting and progressive
• Shots of a hairdresser's or shop with mannequin heads and women with different hair styles


  • References and celebrates black culture, fashion and diversity
• Shot of a young boy dancing while police officers stand in front of him


  Illustrates the boy's confidence and power, while the police officers seem impotent
• This may be a reference to the Black Lives Matter movement and police violence against protesters
• The tracking shot of the wall showing "stop shooting us" references police violence and racial discrimination
• Shots of Beyonce and female dancers dancing in formation


  • Represents black women as united and powerful
• There is still sexualization and objectification of women in the video, conforming to stereotypes
• However, there are also powerful, challenging representations of women
• Beyonce sings about being wealthy, successful and in charge, challenging gender stereotypes
• Beyonce may have created these representations to raise awareness of political issues, draw on her personal experiences, or appeal to her target audience
• However, the representations could also be a cynical marketing ploy to generate publicity and sales
• The video presents a muddled, confusing message in terms of feminism and overcoming racism/discrimination
• The video could be interpreted as promoting unity and equality within the black community, or as creating a sense of "otherness" that excludes other ethnicities