Listen Beyonce

Aspects Of Performance

The majority of the video of Listen by Beyonce is performance based as it based around the artist. There is also a live performance on stage which suggests that the majority of the video is set around performance.

Mode Of Address

The mode of address is both directive and indirective, directive when she sings to the camera and indirective when she acts. She also adds a dance routine at the end when she is alone and when she is singing with two other women.

The Narrative
The narration of this video is non linear as it involves many flashbacks on how her relationship is and has a clear beginning middle and end. The video is based on the story of a woman trying to get out a relationship that leaves her dependent on the male and very dominated. The story suggests that he is a bully and that he will not allow her to be herself and that he will not listen to her. She has lost her power.

How the visual elements relate to the song; Amplification, disjuncture or illustration:

The visual elements of the video is amplification as it goes beyond the lyrics this is the consequence and emotion of what he has done to her.

How the video portrays the artist
The video suggests the artist as being elegant professional and a true performer due to her change of very pretty costumes, her emotion when she sings on stage and the large amount of people who are in the theatre when she performs at the end. The video suggests shes strong and ordinary due to her wearing a tshirt and jeans.

Mise en scene
The setting which is first used is of an empty theatre this suggests she is very dramatic and theatrical also suggests that the song is from a film or a musical. The name of a film/theatre production is in flashing lights this suggests that the name is very famous and clarifys where it is from. Doors are used to create supsension for the audience as they do not know what will happen next. The setting changes into an office where her costume very ordinary costume changes into a suit this suggests power. There are many paintings of her on the wall this suggests that she she idolised and that she is a form of beauty it also shows she is confident. Her hat that she is wearing in this scene shows that she is a mysterious character. The setting then changes back to the stage where there is a number of dancers in black leotards this suggests that the artist involves herself with the arts. Nudity is also used to signify beauty and shows she is confident. The setting changes into a photoshoot where a camera is used to suggest celebrity her makeup is also different and more superficial a hand is also on her face which suggests someone wants her to change. The male is in a shoot this suggests that he has high status.

Camera use
The video begins with an establishing shot that shows the setting of the threatre we know from this where the video is set. There then is a zoom which allows the audience to follow the camera inside the theatre. There then is a extreme shot on doors which create suspense as the artist walks out. There is a high angled shot used which suggests she is important in the video. There then is a two shot of a couple this suggests a relationship and is the only shot which shows them as having an equal status. There then is a tracking shot whilst she walks around the theatre which allows the audience to follow her. There then is a panning shot around the stage to show empty seats and that she is alone. There then is an extreme close up to represent emotion and beauty. The camera then switches to an establishing shot of dancers this supports the story being part of a musical. There then is a close up on three singers however is used as partial vision we do not know who these three women are until the end. There then is a extreme close up on the females and the males face this suggests the difference in emotion that they both have him being more cold. The camera then swops to show her reflection this suggests that she is confident about herself. There then is a midshot which shows a decrease in emotion. There then is two high angled shots both being different one where she is looking at him this suggests that she wants his approval and the other where they are arguing this shows he is very strong and a bit of a bully.

Editing

The editing which is used is match on action whilst shes walking shot reverse shot to show conflict a montage which suggests that it is based on a long time period, flashbacks to show how unhappy her relationship is and the 90 degree rule which shows that they are both equal.

Special Effects

The special effects are very simple the special effects which are used is partial lighting to suggest darkness and supsense. The lighting always switches to show mood change. The video also changes into black and white.

Audience/music channel

The audience of this song is women over 20 due to the song being a strong ballad due to its slow pacing of editing and of the slow beats and her very strong voice. This video is likely to appear on The Box or Magic.

Genre: Ballad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc1R1JMTMKQ