Music Video Analysis:

Beyoncé ‘Run the

World’

By Katrina Lee-Smith

Beyonce looks regal the

nice red dress reflects

her serious attitude and

elite & prestige appearance.

Seems to be standing against something

The manner she is standing in creates a pride appearance about her especially as she is standing alone makes her the centre of attention all eyes are drawn to her

Prior to the beginning scene- looks riot scene men are excited and running around and women are calm and serious

Introduced as men vs women shows that women are more dominant and powerful in this rather than it being men

This shot of her in the middle shows that she’s the star, which tracks her movement and establishes the scene.

The use of close ups in the video illustrate Beyoncé's significance and her fiery emotions. By using close ups it enhances the fierce atmosphere using dark makeup and a dark background distinguishes her from the rest of the performers. This portrays her female dominance in the video developing her star image.

These two shots Beyonce also enhances her star imagery as there is a flag of her and as she rides in on a horse.

In addition as she is the only that is on a horse it is a clear distinction between the performers and the artist.

Looks like an army of women-

she’s always the main attention

stands out different from the

rest

Mis

-En-S

cene

All wearing stockings,

extremely seductive. Some

features of the male gaze is

there however the women are

more powerful in this

The Close up of Beyonce- looks significant. The Egyptian head jewellery makes her look high and mighty as she stands out from the rest looks dominant Her appearance is similar to an

empress. This gives her an authoritative figure

Due to the flag and coordinated army hats and clothing makes them look united considering that they’re saluting Beyonce

Looks seductive; lips apart, Smokey eye make up, looks wild and fierce.

Edit

ing, Tr

ansi

tions

& S

peci

al e

ffect

s

By amplifying women in a distinctive

manner illustrating their powerful and

fierce feline characteristics. This links in

to Goodwin’s theory. As this can be

seen in the relationship between visuals

and lyrics- ‘Who run the world, girls!’.

The quick cuts between each scene displaying the diverse shots of scenarios of the story that is being told (lyrics).

Quick movement and

explosion in time of the beat

This video is targeted at female audience to demonstrate that they too can be just as powerful and dominant as men are.

Inte

rtex

tualit

y

In this there is a close

up of the men’s footwear, which is of a

brand called Converse.

This could be seen as

a sign of intertextuality

Theori

es:

Laura

M

ulv

ey

The close up of her licking her finger is seductive which makes her active and the males passive as they are seen as weak and can be taken for advantage.

Using various close ups of

Beyonce’s body can highlight

seductive references to

demonstrate her power and

success to take control and rule

over men. For example in this shot she

manipulates the man by giving

a seductive appearance and

takes something from his

pocket. However he doesn’t

seem to impressed by it.

Men are afraid- standing there with riot shields and moving back from them. Again this reverses the conventions of the theory as they fear women and they are more dominant.

They salute confirming her new

authority as she’s taken it away

from the man, confirming that

women have won- that women

‘run the world’.

She strips h

is authority

and takes

his dignity whilst

doing it is a

s well,

strips h

im from his m

anhood. She’s

physically taken it off of him.

Andre

w G

oodw

in

Conventions of the music video: The convention of her as an artist and convention of the genre of music to have dancing in it.

Men move back in fear as she comes towards them

Men are scared of the women. This challenges the stereotype convention that men are more dominant than women, whereas women are more authoritative and prevailing in this.

Nation of women; ‘My

persuasion can build a nation’-

Men are outnumbered.

Women are united by the

way they are dressed and

dancing the same working

together as nation/union by

working together in their

actions against men.

The women look vicious,

commanding, just like men.

Although in this the men

look powerless and helpless.

This is usually how women

are portrayed as a cry for

help and always in need of

saving.

Stu

art

Hall

There are various reasons which Beyonce’s

music video would appeal to the audience.

This is due to the mis-en-scene, the

conventions of it, the challenges of it and the

use of camera shots.

Beyonce uses a range of choreography to

shape her music video to the genre of R’n’B.

This is what creates her to be such a success

as she challenged the labels of men and

women and reverses it to create a powerful

message to her audience.

Additionally the beat of the music and the

quick edits can be used at different events

including parties. This can attract and suit her

target audience. The rhythm and beat of the

is taken from an original song called ‘Pon de

floor’. This song is also a partying song and

therefore people can dance to it as well. This

will grasp a wide range of people’s attention

as it has a mix of sounds in the song to allow

the audience to listen to it whenever as it suits

a range of locations.