formation Chapter 2 – Media Language I: Mise-en-scène, Symbolism, and Meaning

Why did we say Formation has cultural power

omes from Beyoncé, who is a really well-known global artist. Lots of
people around the world watch her videos, so when she includes messages about identity or power, they reach a wideaudience. Because of this, the video can influence how people think or talk about social issues, not just entertain them.

• Why might Beyoncé choose images instead of a clear message?

might images instead of a clear message because the ideas in the video are complicated and don’t have one simple meaning. Using symbolism lets different people interpret the video in their own way. This can make the video more interesting and encourage people to think and discuss it rather than being told exactly what to think

What is mise-en-scène?

everything placed in front of the camera. But more importantly it is chosen, not accidental.

mise-en-scène includes:

setting

costume and appearance

props

performance (body language, posture, expression)

colour and lighting

Mise-en-scène matters because it allows producers to communicate meaning without dialogue.

In Formation, Beyoncé rarely explains meaning directly.

Instead, meaning is constructed visually.

first key scene focus: The sinking police car

What do we notice about Beyoncé’s position?

Beyoncé is standing above the police car, not beside it.

• Being elevated visually suggests control, dominance, or power

• The police car is normally a symbol of authority

why is The car is sinking into flood water. This is not random ?

• he water references real flooding (linked to Hurricane Katrina)

• But the image is not presented as documentary realism

• It is stylised and symbolic

By placing herself above a sinking police car, the mise-en-scène visually
challenges traditional power structures.

Notice we didn’t say what Beyoncé thinks.

We explained what the image does.

What do we notice about Beyoncé’s position?

ike a real flooded street, this scene was largely filmed in a studio using green screen.

Why this matters:

• This is not documentary realism

• The flooding is controlled

• The image is composed, not captured

what is significant about this ?

creates what we call a hyperreal image something that looks real, but is deliberately stylised to
represent ideas rather than events.

Great to add to an exam : By staging the scene rather than filming a real event, the video prioritises
symbolic representation over realism.

This allows the image to represent broader experiences of power and authority, rather than a single
historical moment.

Why stylisation strengthens representation ?

tylisation does not make representation weaker. It often makes it stronger.

• Realism ties meaning to one time, place, or event

• Stylisation allows images to stand in for systems, experiences, and patterns

what i8s realsisim ?

1. is fixed to one moment

When a media text is realistic, its meaning is
closely tied to:

• one place

• one time

• one specific event

So the audience reads it as:

• this happened here

• of these people

• in this situation

what would of happend if formation used real police footage from one protest ?

meaning would be about that protest only right... Realism limits interpretation because the meaning is anchored to that single
event. .. This is the why they did this - we know shes not really on a car - so we ask what does it mean

Key Scene Focus 2: Plantation house setting

his location is not neutral.

The setting visually references historical power structures.

• It is carefully framed

• Clean, composed, almost ceremonial

• Not presented as chaotic or ruined

what is meaning construction of this scence ?

By placing Beyoncé within this setting, the mise-en-scène
invites audiences to reconsider who belongs in spaces of
historical power.”

Key Scene Focus 3: Costume, posture, and performance

• stillness

• facial expression

• Controlled posture communicates authority

• Stillness contrasts with expectations of spectacle

• Costume draws on historical and cultural references

Key Scene Focus 3: Costume, posture, and performance

Controlled posture communicates authority

Body language is part of mise-en-scène.

A controlled, upright posture suggests confidence because it shows control over the body.

Authority is communicated visually when a person appears calm, balanced, and in control, rather
than reactive or chaotic.

what does this represent ?

This constructs Beyoncé as authoritative rather than vulnerable.”

Exam-ready sentence you can reuse:

“Beyoncé’s controlled posture constructs her as authoritative by visually suggesting control and confidence.”

Key Scene Focus 3: Costume, posture, and performance-

how does ? Stillness contrasts with expectations of spectacle

music videos often rely on movement, energy, and performance to entertain.

Rather than trying to distract audiences with special effects and flashy content , Beyonce here uses subtle moments of minimalistic - to ensure a deeper meaning is achieved

Exam-ready sentence you can reuse:

The use of stillness subverts expectations of spectacle in music videos, positioning Beyoncé as controlled and intentional.

Key Scene Focus 3: Costume, posture, and performance-

how does Costume draws on historical and cultural references ?

costume is never just clothing it carries cultural meaning.

In Formation, Beyoncé’s costume does not look contemporary or casual. It draws on historical
and cultural styles, which adds symbolic weight.

Why that matters:

“This connects the performance to wider histories and identities, not just the present moment.”

Exam-ready sentence you can reuse:

The costume draws on historical and cultural references, giving the performance symbolic significance beyond entertainment.

Key Scene Focus 3: Costume, posture, and performance what choices represent authortiy ?

• ontrolled posture communicates authority

• Stillness contrasts with expectations of spectacle

• Costume draws on historical and cultural references -represent authority rather then spectacle

Model sentence:

“Through costume and restrained performance, the mise-en-scène constructs Beyoncé aspowerful and self-possessed rather than passive or decorative.”

What do these scenes have in common?

all ll use controlled and carefully staged mise-en-scène rather than realism. None of the images feelaccidental or documentary-style; instead, they are deliberately composed to communicate meaning. Across the scenes, Beyoncé is positioned confidently within the frame, and the settings, costume, and performance are stylised rather than naturalistic. This creates images that feel symbolic rather than literal.

how are they stylised ?

• The scene is deliberately designed rather than realistic or natural.

• Signals that the image is symbolic, not documentary.

h9w are they symbolic ?

• The image stands for ideas or experiences, not a literal event.

• Encourages interpretation rather than fixed meaning

how are they controlled ?

• The use of stillness, posture, and composed framing.

• Suggests authority and intention.

how are they constructed and delibretly composed ?

Constructed

• Meaning is created through choice and control.

• Reminds us nothing in the frame is accidental.

• Constructed

  • Meaning is created through choice and control.

  • Reminds us nothing in the frame is accidental.

How is power repeatedly constructed visually

control, symbolism, and deliberate composition. Beyoncé’s controlled posture and stillness suggest authority and confidence, while her elevated or central positioning places her in dominance over the surrounding environment. The use of symbolic settings and costumes allows the scenes to represent broader ideas about power and identity rather than a single moment. Because the images are carefully staged, the video presents power as intentional, composed, and visually asserted rather than chaotic or reactive.

authority and dominance ?

Authority

• Power communicated through calmness, control, and confidence.

• Often linked to posture and stillness.

Dominance

• Achieved through elevated or central positioning in the frame.

• Suggests control over the environment

visual hierachy , symbolic power and intetional framing

visual hierarchy

• The way placement and scale guide the viewer’s attention.

• Power is shown by who is most prominent.

Symbolic power

• Power represented through imagery, not action or dialogue.

• Allows the image to stand in for wider systems or experiences.

Intentional framing

• Camera and composition direct meaning.

• Reinforces that power is constructed, not accidental.