This document provides an in-depth analysis of 4 music videos by Beyoncé in 3 or less sentences per video: 1. "No Angel" shows Beyoncé in a run-down setting with rebellious characters, using imagery to portray the song's theme through cinematography and mise-en-scene. 2. "Flawless" is a performance-based black-and-white video using effects like slow motion across shots in a rustic setting to portray concepts like feminism. 3. "Pretty Hurts" tells a narrative of a beauty pageant through shots of preparation and competition, portraying the mental and physical toll of obsession with beauty.

1. TEXTUAL ANALYISIS
5 IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS’ OF
MUSIC VIDEOS
CHARLIE SPALDING

2. VIDEO NUMBER 1 – NO
ANGEL: BEYONCÉ
Notes Sheet
Generic Codes & Conventions
- The artist of this video is a black female American. Her genre of music if
predominantly Hip-hop, R&B.
- This video features a lot of characters that would probably associate
themselves with this kind of music and they are mainly black males.
- This also gives an impression of who Beyoncé is singing this song to, about or
what kind of person the narrative is based on.
Form
- This music video is a heavy concept based video because for a large
part of the video we see shots of men that look quite rebellious and
they are located in a run down area, suggesting a ‘No Angel’ theme.
This is a conceptual way of portraying the title of the song through
imagery.
Cinematography
- Long shots are used to establish setting and show the mise-en-scene
clearly.
- There are many close up shots used on faces, objects and actions to
enhance the obvious portrayal of the characters in the video.
- A lot of still shots are used and sustained creating emphasis on on the
images.
Relationship between sound and images
- There are strong thumb clicks and drum beats within the song that would
make an excellent sound to relate to a jump cut however the shots seem
to switch from each other purposely out of time which gives a sense
whereby it is not doing what it should be enhancing the rebellious nature
of the videos genre.https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=d7PPjEB2QZQ

3. VIDEO NUMBER 1 – NO
ANGEL: BEYONCÉMise-en-scene
- The mise-en-scene is used obviously to define the setting of the music video.
It shows a run down area, run down rooms, nothing is luxury in the video
apart from the cars and jewelry which we commonly associate with people
that like to flaunt. Because of what surrounds the cars and jewelry we assume
that this is most probably stolen which ties into the ‘No Angel’ theme.
- There is a sense of irony when we see the artist in this area dressed in all
white symbolizing an Angel in some of her performance shots
Editing
- Jump cuts are used from different places within the area to give the audience an
overall view of the environment. Frequently in this video we see shots of a
character and then a series of shits following the this one that shows who the
character is and shows the audience why they are no angel. For example a shot
of a female, then her in a changing room, then her locker, then her attire and
finally a large amount of cash she is holding. Suggesting she is a prostitute or
stripper of sort.
Effects
- Opening shots shows a time lapse of a city skyline
- Uses split screens on the bridge of the song when we see the cars, making the
video able to show as much as possible.
- Ghosting is also used on the car shits to enhance what the audience are
seeing.
Audience
- This video would attract fans of this
artist
- However this video could attract
people not fans of Beyoncé as it goes
against her traditional video genre
types.
Representations
- It is showing a lot of black males in a run down area
- Some of the characters are white but seem to be made to look like
they are dressing and acting in the same way as the black males so I
think that this is probably a focus on the black males and females.
- They are all being represented in a rebellious, naughty way. Being
made to look like lawbreakers.

4. Notes Sheet
VIDEO NUMBER 2 –***
FLAWLESS: BEYONCÉ
Generic codes and Conventions:
This song is a grungy pop song and the video is all in black and
white and it is set in a very rustic setting. It shows the other
people in the music video to be wearing rock style clothing and
the video has an overall urban, rebellion theme.
Form of Music Video:
This is a heavily based performance video as nearly all the shots
shown are showing the artist either singing, dancing or both. It
does not portray any particular story line however it could
portray some concept ideas. For example the title of the song
flawless is set in a place with many flaws.
Cinematography:
Close up shots of clothing establishing theme showing the
alternative clothing choice. There are also jumping/dancing
shots that create a sense of a rave/party atmosphere.
Relationship between sound and images:
When the music is playing the images are
either speed up or played at a normal pace.
However when the voice over begins there is
slow motion over the shots that also begins
and end s when the voice over ends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyuU
WOnS9BY

5. VIDEO NUMBER 2 –
***FLAWLESS: BEYONCÉ
Mise-en-scene:
We can see things such as brock walls that are heavily spray
painted, lit fires set inside an old used oil tank, metal grungy
materials. Adding to irony of the title of the song ‘Flawless’.
Editing and Effects:
A lot of slow motion shots are used and a lot of time-lapsing
distorting the video quite frequently. The entire video is in
black and white and these effected shots playing in no
particular order and are continuously swapping and changing
creating a high level of tension within the videos sequence.
Audience:
The audience of this video would be Beyoncé fans.
Also because of the fashion in this video along with the
setting and filters subverts to the artists stereotypical
videos therefor it could attract a more versatile
audience.
Representations:
I think the people that are being represented in this
music video are those who stand out and are
expressive. Perhaps these people are quite rebellious
also but only want the best for the world such as
equality, this would explain the voice over about
feminism. Also the title of the song explains how these
people are being represented, which is in a positive
way.

6. Notes Sheet
VIDEO NUMBER 3 – PRETTY
HURTS: BEYONCÉ
Generic Codes and Conventions:
As this to me seems like a normal pop song the video is very in keeping
with this genre of music however it is displaying the glamour as a
negative thing throughout the video.
Form of Music video:
This video is a very narrative video it shows girls
getting ready for a beauty pageant at the begin
and follows the competition and the story and it
portrays the struggle involved with being ‘Pretty’
Cinematography:
There are a lot of shots showing the artist looking into the
mirror and there are similar shots showing other competitors
doing the same thing. Long shots are used showing the beauty
of the girls form and synchronized movement. There is a shot
of Beyoncé in the center of the screen from a long shot
surrounding herself with trophies.
Relationship between sound and images:
The more intense the music gets within the song
the more action is shown on screen. When quiet,
slow and tension building moments happen in the
music the images become slower and focus on
more specific thing, such as facial expressions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX
XQLa-5n5w

7. VIDEO NUMBER 3 – PRETTY
HURTS: BEYONCÉMise-en-scene:
In the frame ewe can see lights cameras, microphones, stages,
mirrors, beauty pageants judges and competitors, beautiful
women, backstage rooms, glamorous costumes. It creates a very
pressurized setting.
Editing:
The beginning of the video shows a clip with no music and
shows a series of shots backstage. Finishing an iconic
moment with the artist in a stage singing a part of the song in
a beauty pageant, this is an intense lead up to the song itself
beginning. These original sequence of shots are repeated
throughout the video.
Effects:
Slow motion is used frequently in this video and I think it is to put
emphasis on the particular shots that show the most relevancy to
the video and the effects of this self obsession with looks and
being beautiful/pretty.
Audience:
Fan of the artist would be the main attraction to this
video. However this video could also attract those that
may be facing the same problems with there confidence
and self esteem.
Representations:
The group of people represented are girls that are entering thing
such as beauty contests or pageants and they are represented in
a negative way. The video is portraying these women and
unhappy and making there activities and lifestyles look very
painful mentally and physically.

8. Notes Sheet
VIDEO NUMBER 4 –
HAUNTED: BEYONCÉ
Generic codes and conventions:
The music genre is pop for this music video however we can tell by
the title of the video that this song is meant to have a sense of thrill
and horror to it. Complying with this the video there are very
stereotypically horror movie conventions used. Such as haunted
large house, large stair case, creepy doormen etc.
Form of music video:
This is a concept music video as it is not showing strong
narrative or performance elements but it shows a lot of horror
type shots and jolty movement of the characters and camera,
which is all designed to scare or thrill. The reason this is
conceptual is because this song is not about a scary moment it
is actually a sexual themed song by the lyrics.
Cinematography:
Many shots are still and show scary things, characters or scenes.
However there is a shot that is jumped back to frequently of the
artist walking down a long creepy corridor through this large
haunted manor house, where she is looking from side to side into
each room.
Relationship between sound and images:
The more intense the music becomes in this music video, the more
the more is shown on the screen and the faster the shot changes
are. When the music calms down it showns less action on screen
portraying a clear relation between sound and images.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4
r4lysSgLE

9. VIDEO NUMBER 4 –
HAUNTED: BEYONCÉ
Mise-en-scene:
The video is set in a large stately home mansion which
automatically adheres to the horror stereotypes and large spooky
stairs, rooms and costumes are also shown throughout.
Editing:
Shots are very quickly jumped from room to room in this
haunted house to create a sense of scary tension and a
thrilling dramatic suspense to fit the music, they images
are jumped in a jumbled order and it creates a messy
effect that adds to the horror theme.
Effects:
Some of the performance shots are shown through an old
fashioned bad quality TV screen of the artist singing in
black and white. This creates a more haunting effect on
the artist expressions. Also ghosting is used on some
shots to create a scarier atmosphere throughout the
setting within the video.
Audience:
The audience for this music video would be Beyoncé fans.
Also people such as fine artists may be interested in this
video as it is very expressive and artistic in the way it has
been choreographed. Also 50 Shades of Grey fans may be
attracted as this song was feature in that film.
Representations:
People who are passionate for art circus acts or alternative horror that have are expressive are represented in a very sexual
and scary way in this music video. In my opinion they have not been represented negatively however some may view this
differently.

10. Notes Sheet
VIDEO NUMBER 5 –
PARTITION: BEYONCÉ
Generic codes and conventions:
This song is very sexual and there are many shots that
reflect this such as the artist in provocative clothing and
moving slowly and demonstrating enticing movement
and expression which adheres to other sexually themed
videos.
Form of Music video:
This video is a heavily based performance video and seems to
show more of that than narrative. It in my opinion is no way
concept based as it is black and white what genre this is and
what it is trying to achieve and get across.
Cinematography:
The camera is used in very good ways that enhance what the
video is trying to portray. At the start an over the shoulder
shot is used, showing what we assume is a gentleman's
shoulder that the artist is with and it almost establishes who
the song is aimed at
Relationship between sound and images:
The pre chorus of the song (which plays more than once) uses some
sort of shot each time that creates a form of sexual tension. For
example on one pre-chorus we see the artists body being revealed
slowly as she is sing before the chorus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=pZ12_E5R3qc

11. VIDEO NUMBER 5 –
PARTITION: BEYONCÉMise-en-scene
Many frames in this music video are dark with minimal lighting revealing purposely
focused on body parts, pieces of costume or silhouettes. When the lighting is strong
at the beginning of the music video we can see that the setting is quite a formal large
house with some form of help (maid/butler) so we gage the class of the people. Also
in many costumes the glitter and jewels suggest something about their wealth.
Editing:
The shots are very much played in a repetitive way that adds as
much sexual tension as possible, where possible the artist is wearing
or revealing what she can to enhance the sexual nature, the order of
shots and types of shots just add to this convention.
Effects:
Slow motion is used in this video to accentuate key points of the artists body and
we are able to see various shots of a silhouette of the artist dancing on a chaise
lounge creating a lot of sexual tension.
Audience:
This video would attract fans of the artist and it old also attract more
male viewers that are fans of Beyoncé because of its provocative nature
and sexual references.
Representations:
Women are being represented in this video as sexual beings which is a negative
thing. However as the the artist looks very glamorous and wears a lot of gols and
diamonds which shows the sexual being concept in a glorified way.

12. BEYONCE PLATINUM EDITION
2013 Columbia Records
Sony Music Entertainment
ALL VIDEO INSTITUTIONS…