Beyoncé has the ability to attract attention to whatever she wants in her life. She recently released a song and music video, Formation. In this, Beyoncé uses subliminal messages all throughout the video to highlight her opinions on certain current events. Events causing the Black Live Matters protests and riots are all brought to the foreground in this new video. Beyoncé is very supportive of this movement and understands that in order for change to happen she needs to draw attention to it. Ms. Knowles uses various camera angles, such as over the shoulder, longshot, and close-ups to sway the viewers. She is doing so by using certain camera angles that support her point. The viewpoint effectively forces her viewers to see her perspective on the situation. She does not always want to appear powerful, so, a long shot as opposed to a bug eye shot is required. For example, Beyoncé wants to increase the focus within in the shot so a close up is required as oppose to a longshot or birds eye view. The use of these specifically placed camera angles all are used to support her stance. Beyoncé’s power to change the thinking of people through the usage of these different camera angles is how she is able to be influential in this video. Her purpose in using camera angles is to persuade viewers, and eventually evoke change within the black community.

The use of an over the shoulder shot is to emphasize a conversation that is occurring between characters. However, in Beyoncé’s video for Formation, she uses it not in conversation, but to show that the actions of one character are seen by another. The vantage points of this video show the correct positioning of their bodies within the shot; a person in the foreground as the focus, which is the little boy, and then another object in the background, which are the officers.  An over the shoulder viewpoint displayed by the officers and the boy at 4 minutes and 23 seconds into the video seen in Figure A shows the power of the shot. This is the perfect shot for this situation because the angle Figure AFigure Aencompasses a powerful message, “Hands up, don’t shoot”, popular during this time and supportive of the Black Lives Matter campaign that Beyoncé alludes to. It is so important that these bodies see each other because it allows them to communicate their feelings. Although we cannot see the boy’s face, the over shoulder shot shows that he is scared of what is happening. We know this because, he slow rises to presume that he is timid in the situation as oppose to raising them forcefully or proudly. Any camera angles other than the over the shoulder would not have been able to capture the magnitude of this moment; because no other shot can show to power of the bodies conversing so well. The use of the over the shoulder shot is great for signifying the connection between two people, while the long shot is used to show the relation of Beyoncé to the surroundings. An over the shoulder camera angle is used to provoke change.

Figure BFigure BThe use of the long shot in the video emphasizes the surroundings of the video, whether it be a drowning cop car or a fancy home. Beyoncé uses the long shot many times throughout her video to support her stance. At 3 minutes and 26 seconds in to the video she is shot using a long shot camera angle, this can be seen in Figure B. Beyoncé’s entire body is seen, she is able to appear more vulnerable and smaller than she actually is amidst all the destruction. These surroundings signify the journey that African American people have had to endure just to be at the position they are in now. Often times directors use long shots in order to express a journey or loneliness, which shows why a long shot is perfect for this scene. The use of a long shot while Beyoncé is on a cop car signifies that African Americans feel alone when dealing with the police. Ms. Knowles makes this apparent when she rolls around looking for others. The long shot is a key component in the success of these particular scenes and changing the mind of the viewers. It is so important because it shows that although she is supposed to be Queen B she is still susceptible in this situation. Unlike the close-up shots from the previous scene, scenic details become more critical here.

Figure CFigure CClose-up shots focus the attention of the viewer onto the subject with great intensity. When on top of the cop car 3 minutes and 14 seconds into the video, there is a different vibe than what is associated with the long shot earlier in the video. Seen in Figure C the intensity is greatly increased for this particular shot; with this raised intensity people are easily swayed in their perspectives. This is a very favorable angle for Beyoncé because the viewers are more compelled to see what she has to say or to see what she is going to say. The viewers are influenced to support her cause of Black Lives Matter because of this moment. Ms. Knowles raises the intensity in order to focus in on the destruction you see behind her. The details of this shot are the main selling point, she appears to be tired and worn out from having to deal with all these tragedies that occur every day in the African American community. As well, this is shot is the most useful because it shows herself in relation to surroundings without losing focus of Beyoncé’s face. It is crucial that we see only her face her because we are able to connect with her through the facial expressions. What differentiates this from any other shot is that her face is still the focal point, but the surroundings are able to be seen slightly as oppose to others where they are more prominent. The viewer would be unable to see the minute details of her face and expression in relation to her surroundings in any other shots. 

In her music video, “Formation,” Beyoncé uses camera changes to alter how the viewer is situated against various focal points. The brilliant camera angles used in this video all manipulate the thinking of the viewers to promote a Black Lives Matter message. The over the shoulder shot provides a clear vantage point to show how communication is key for people wanting to create change. The little boy and the police officers are in the perfect spot for this and are able to help convey the points effectively.  The long shot is successfully able to portray how African American people are able to stray away from common traps faced and make a difference. As well, the close-ups in the video so just how serious this situation is, and that we need to enact change. How Beyoncé uses camera angles to focus the viewer helps to convey the message that at this point it is up to the viewers to make a change happen.