Beyonce-'Run The World (Girls)'

GENRE CHARACTERISTICS:
There is structured choreography in this video as the viewer sees Beyonce and her back-ups dancing. This emphasises gender dominance, which of course relates to the title of the song 'Who run the world? Girls!' This video features women with provocative clothing this flaunts their sexuality as well as their power, which also links to the title of the song at it talks about women dominating men. Also, there are elements of performance in this video, which is of course typical of this genre as well as for Beyonce. In most R'n'B videos women are portrayed differently or inferior to men and this video subverts this code and convention as it of course shows women as a superior figure to men. Beyonce's change of costumes in every scene are very glamorous and her make-up is well made. There is a scene in the video where she is wearing a gold costume and looks sophisticated. The colour gold evokes the feeling of prestige which links to the theme of this music video.



There is also use of different props in the video e.g. Beyonce riding on the horse and her with the two chained hyenas, this connotes a sense of power.


RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LYRICS AND VISUALS:
- When Beyonce says 'I think I need a baller' she jumps on man, which connotes power
- 'Who run the world? Girls!' here Beyonce lifts her hands up as if she actually owns the world. By placing her on top of the car it makes her appear dominant and as she is wearing a black dress; the colour black represents: elegance, power, strength and authority which are the main themes within the video.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MUSIC AND VISUALS:
There is a drum beat at the beginning of the video and as that is sounding Beyonce is banging her fist on the top of the car, her banging is in sync with the drum beat. There is a 'hahahaha' noise after and Beyonce is miming along to it as it is sounding. The switching shots of the girls and the police at the beginning are are on beat with the music.When Beyonce pumps her fist up the car behind her then explodes with fire which is again on beat with the music. The flicker (around 2:31) is in sync with the drum beat from the music.

REFERENCE TO THE NOTION OF LOOKING:
Perhaps when Beyonce and her back up dancers were dancing and then camera switches to armed police. On their shields we can see Beyonce and her back-up dancers.

USE OF CLOSE-UPS:
There are quite a few close-ups in this video to focus on Beyonce's facial expression and emotion as she is a powerful figure within this music video. Also the close-ups are used to emphasise her hair, make-up etc. and the black eyeliner makes her look very powerful and fierce.

INTERTEXTUAL REFERENCES:
-References to Cruella De-Vil. Her dress is 'Cruella De-Vil esque, by the way she raises up her hands it makes her look evil and the black eye make-up contributes this also, referring to the 101 Dalmatians character Cruella De-Vil. Also the gold shoes she is wearing late fashion designer Alexander McQueen is responsible for designing those type of shoes.