Beyonce Formation.

Question 1

The music video is partly based where?

Answer 1

New Orleans

Question 2

What happened in New Orleans to make them film here?

Answer 2

Hurricane Katrina. The racial tension following the floods.

Question 3

What are some intertextual references in formation?

Answer 3

Footage taken from a documentary about bounce called that B.E.A.T.

And

References to need footage of police brutality such as the lone dancing boy.

Question 4

The antebellum costume dresses refers to? And how does this contrast the rest of the video?

Answer 4

Slavery.

Contrasts heavily with stereotypical “pop” signifiers such as tight fitting/revealing costume in some of the dance sections

Question 5

What contrasting elements are present in Beyoncé’s performance?

Answer 5

Moments of aggression and culturally recognisable dance routines

The aggression is represented by obscene gestures, while the dance routines are less politically charged.

Question 6

What possible themes does the video explore?

Answer 6

Black experience in America, personal exploration of Beyoncé’s life, issues of gender and equality

The video may encompass multiple themes simultaneously.

Question 7

Fill in the blank: Beyoncé’s performance shifts from moments of aggression to more _______ dance routines.

Answer 7

culturally recognisable

Question 8

True or False: The video can only explore one theme at a time.

Answer 8

False

The video can explore multiple themes simultaneously.

Question 9

What are some examples of music genres mentioned?

Answer 9

Pop, R&B, dance, hip-hop, bounce

These genres are mutable and subject to change.

Question 10

What is the historical significance of MOBO?

Answer 10

Music of Black Origin across different genres

MOBO highlights the contributions of Black artists to various music styles.

Question 11

What does the use of antebellum era dresses signify in the music video? (Semiotics by Barthes)

Answer 11

Reference to slavery and American history

This imagery prompts discussions about historical context and representation.

Question 12

Which theorist’s ideas does the video challenge regarding simulacra?

Answer 12

Jean Baudrillard

Baudrillard argues that contemporary images may not refer to any reality.

Question 13

What was the timing of the video’s release and its significance?

Answer 13

Released the day before Beyoncé’s Super Bowl performance

This timing maximized the video’s exposure and potential financial gain.

Question 14

What dual purpose might the video serve?

Answer 14

Promote a political/cultural agenda or generate publicity and profit

The context of the Super Bowl performance adds to this discussion.

Question 15

Which feminist theorist’s ideas can be used to analyze the video?

Answer 15

bell hooks

hooks’ work often critiques representations of race and gender in media.

Question 16

How does ‘bounce’ relate to Beyoncé as a performer.

Answer 16

She often bounces in her dances which are sexualised.

Question 17

The Super Bowl release date and a performance to over _______ people impacted the global circulation of the video and financial gain for Beyoncé and her collaborators.

Answer 17

100 million

Question 18

This music offers a range of different representations relating to??

Answer 18

Race and ethnicity

Question 19

Beyoncé frequently makes direct address to _______________ by?

Answer 19

The audience

Gazing directly at us

Question 20

The most iconic image of her on top of the police car shows…

Answer 20

Her as a powerful black woman

Question 21

What is a key concern regarding Beyoncé’s media representation?

Answer 21

Reinforcement of attitudes and values in relation to gender

This includes the objectification of women through her portrayal in videos.

Question 22

How does Beyoncé’s representation in her videos potentially convey values about gender?

Answer 22

Through dance sections with short/tight or revealing outfits and sexualised lyrics

These elements may reinforce objectification despite her strong persona.

Question 23

True or False: Beyoncé’s representation only offers positive insights into gender roles.

Answer 23

False

The representation can also reinforce negative stereotypes.

Question 24

Fill in the blank: The representation of Beyoncé may _______ the objectification of women.

Answer 24

condone

Question 25

What is the potential duality in Beyoncé's representation?

Answer 25

Strong, powerful figure vs. objectification of women ## Footnote This duality can lead to complex interpretations of her media presence.

Question 27

What is the theory associated with Paul Gilroy?

Answer 27

Theories of ethnicity and postcolonial oppression of women in a patriarchal society ## Footnote Gilroy's theory discusses how ethnicity intersects with gender and oppression.

Question 28

According to hooks, what is feminism a struggle against?

Answer 28

Sexist/patriarchal oppression ## Footnote Hooks emphasizes the need for feminism to address systemic issues of gender inequality.

Question 29

What question can be posed regarding Beyoncé's music video in relation to feminism?

Answer 29

Is Beyoncé adopting feminism as a lifestyle choice to sell music or has she made a political commitment to feminism? ## Footnote This question explores the authenticity of her feminist stance in the context of commercial music.

Question 30

How does the music video challenge racial hierarchy?

Answer 30

By subverting expectations and placing a black woman in a position of power and dominion ## Footnote This representation can be seen as empowering but also raises questions about racial dynamics.

Question 31

What potential issue does the music video perpetuate despite its empowerment themes?

Answer 31

A sense of binary opposition between races ## Footnote This binary opposition can reinforce divisions rather than promote unity.

Question 32

What is meant by Gilroy's sense of 'otherness'?

Answer 32

A clear divide based on racial lines ## Footnote 'Otherness' refers to how certain groups are marginalized or viewed as outside the norm.

Question 33

Fill in the blank: The music video can be analyzed in terms of racial hierarchies and _______.

Answer 33

Binary opposition based on otherness ## Footnote This analysis framework examines how race and identity are portrayed.

Question 34

True or False: The music video fully resolves issues of racial and gender representation.

Answer 34

False ## Footnote The video presents complex representations that can be contradictory.

Question 35

Stuart hall stereotypes in Beyoncé …

Answer 35

- Basket balls being associated with basket balls - she says she will take her husband to ‘red lobster’ in the song which is stereotypical for black men liking red lobster. - black boy surrounded by police which shows he is a ‘threat’ (in police’s mind) - Rich person showing off her wealth.

Question 36

How does David gauntlett come into Beyoncé through gender?

Answer 36

Gender is shown through either being sexualised in certain clothing, she is confident and being bold.

Question 38

What are some key features of formation which can link to the male gaze?

Answer 38

- Beyoncé is in a corset. - revealing clothing. - revealing dances.