Conflict can refer to...
- Questioning or challenging an ideology...
- An aggressive tone...
- Two opposing opinions...
- Binary oppositions...
- War, battle, fights...
Structuring a response
Every response you write in media should be structured. The structure we are going to be using is as simple as possible. Basically, the last thing you should be worrying about in the exam is structures or formulas. The structure we will use will reflect the verbal responses you make in class
Point
Evidence
Analysis
Point: One way in which the video to formation constructs conflict is through the use of atypical and edgy locations.
Evidence: Beyoncé is situated in an empty swimming pool, surrounded by a series of synchronised backing dancers. Her dancers are all black and athletically built, and dressed in vintage leotards. They are established through a high angled long shot, which has connotations of isolation and vulnerability.
Argument: Furthermore, this shot represents how black women may feel in American society, and clearly draws attention to issues of race and racism.
Examples
U block
- Frequent use of binary oppositions, most notably the image of a young black boy challenging a group of police officers. This representation is constructed through a low angle shot of the white police officers standing in line, which reinforces their power and dominance. Additionally, the black child is constructed through a high angled wide shot, which reinforces his vulnerability. However, his vulnerability is subverted through the gesture of the white police officers putting their hands up in surrender. The young black boy is therefore constructed in an atypical manner, and this shot may represent hope in the next generation of American black activism.
- Big focus on black working class women as being strong and empowered. This is most notability constructed through a powerful shot of Beyoncé lying motionless on top of a police car. This shot clearly functions as a symbolic code, representing this black woman's rebellion against a powerful and destructive.
- Conflict between Beyoncé, a powerful black woman dressed as a stereotypical 1800s slave owner, which arguably reasserts and reassigns power. Reverse colonisation? Reappropriation
- Video exclusively represents black people, which presents an important and controversial message. By drawing attention to both black vulnerability and black empowerment, this video reinforces and draws attention to serious issues that affect black people in America today
(Q block)
- The MES of the police car and Beyoncé on it is symbolic of the brutality experienced by black perpetrated by the American police force. This establishing shot reinforces the primary ideology of this video, and themes of racism
- Furthermore, the long shot of Beyoncé standing upright on the police car is further anchored through her costume, which is stereotypically working class, and demonstrates through this binary opposition themes of rebellion and empowerment
- Mid shot of Beyoncé dancing energetically and even aggressively in a narrow and claustrophobic environment emphasises the conflict between freedom and oppression
- Old vs new - can be interpreted in many ways!
- Binary opposition between the young black boy and the police officers creates a juxtaposition between powerlessness and being powerful. The boy is presented as being in a position of power, and, through his dancing, even mocking the police. This further reinforces the conflict between black people and the police
- Conflict between traditional gender roles. Gender roles are subverted through the lyrics, including taking her boyfriend out shopping and spending money on him, which symbolised female empowerment
- Many shots, eg the long shot of three women standing together in the wig shop, leaning on each other in a symbol of collective female empowerment. This forms a binary opposition with the apparent economic status of these women. They are poor, but powerful
- Binary opposition between red and white costumes creates an exciting and varied mode of address for the audience
- MES of graffiti reading 'stop shooting us' functions as a symbolic, suggesting the threat that exists against black people wielded by the police force
- MS of man (minister) wearing a large cross round his neck is symbolic of black people finding religion important to them, as society has abandoned the black population of Louisiana, and religion has taken the place of the police
- Beyoncé is dressed as a stereotypical slave owner, which forms an ironic binary opposition, as Beyoncé is black. In doing so, Beyoncé is not only being deliberately controversial, but is reposing and appropriating the power wielded by white slave owners in the American south