Beyonce, 'Ego'

I have decided to study Beyonce's music video 'Ego', as I feel it is an extremely effective yet video, of which requires many different editing techniques throughout, and no use of special effects,any sense of special lighting or any use of props, other than a wooden chair! The video simply focuses Beyonce and her two dancers,a big risk to take, yet a brilliant one! I will explain the many differing camera angles and techniques which kept me intrigued throughout the whole video, and how the video inspired me through it's simplicity yet amazing structure; I am extremely impressed with this video and I found it very inspirational in planning my own music video...

(0.03) The opening shot to the video reveals an extreme close up of Beyonce's face. This automatically attracts the audience as the image fills the whole screen. The fact that the video is in black and white also highlights the detail of Beyonce and the dancers, allowing the video to look classic and effective, although it's actually quite simple.
The shot then changes to a medium shot, only seconds in adding variety- something which this music video is full of.
The medium shot suddenly changes into a close up shot of Beyonce's legs, we watch her hands go from her ankles to her thighs and the camera follows, again emphasising the fact that the video is only seconds in and has many variety shots; allowing the audience to appreciate the fact that they are not going to become bored of this video. This a clever way of keeping interest, without lots of effort, less is more.
The shot continues to her stomach, a close up of her face, and then her breasts. Initially showing the audience a full shot of her body.

(0.19)An extreme close up again of Beyonce's face, she is singing into the camera, creating the effect as if she is singing to you personally, a technique used to keep the audience interested and engaged within the video. However, at (0.25) the video then involves a bit more action, the shots begins with a long shot of all 3 dancers situated in the middle of the camera view, the shot then switches to Beyonce alone, then her and one other dancer on the left, this switching the screen around and allowing the audience to try and follow the sequence. The same thing repeats itself once more, a medium shot of Beyonce, then this time we see her and the other dancer in the shot; creating an equal view and appreciation of both dancers.

(0.35)Again we see the camera focusing on Beyonce, although not for a long amount of time, the shot adds a contrast to the shot of all three dancers. The particular shots used for this video are mostly close ups and long shots continually one after another, repeating the sequence however keeping it interesting. We see the same process here, as the camera now switches to a medium shot of the three of them.
The shot then focuses once again on Beyonce, this time from the left hand side, placing the image slightly off set.

(0.56)I particularly liked this specific piece of filming, the camera produces a slight tracking shot, following Beyonce down the wall, until once again we see the remaining two dancers beside her. This effect adds a different shot to the section and acts as a tracking shot by following her; Beyonce looks into the camera as she is sliding down the wall, a simple yet effective action, maintaining the audiences full attention. After a quick glance of the three of them together, we resort back to a close up of Beyonce, from the left angle again, allowing most of the view to be on Beyonce without filming a front on shot.
I was extremely impressed with the multiple shots from approximately (1.12) seconds onwards; the video suddenly becomes more involved than before, each time throwing a different type of shot into view, creating an impressive combo. Beyonce is sitting in the chair, close up shot of her opens the variety, along with the repetitive shots close up to medium to long shot, these camera shots turn into a cycle, the same idea simply repeated to create an effect that there is much more going on than there actually is. Whilst the two dancers have their back to Beyonce and are either side of her, we do not consider all three of them together as much, except see them separately, as it is Beyonce who is holding centre stage; the fact that she is situated on a chair also highlights the fact that she is the one to be watching.

(1.36)At this point the camera angle switches to a behind view, swapping everything we have been watching as if we as an audience are behind them and then switches back within a second. The point of this i believe throws the viewer off set adding quick techniques like this adds a contrast to what we have been viewing the whole time, challenging the audiences initial view of the video by improving it further. The three girls then get up and begin dancing around the chair, clockwise, this not only adding a sense of fun and excitement to the video, but also creates the affect of a panning camera action creating a larger sense of movement to the video.
This is followed by a close up shot, then repeating the behind view of earlier another two times, this time as Beyonce and the two dancers are gradually getting lower to the floor; resulting in Beyonce sitting in the chair and the dancers crouching beside her.
There is a great combination of shots throughout the amount of time they are performed, as if portraying a sudden burst of energy. The dancing throughout the video, particularly in this section stays in sync and to the beat of the song, every move precise; something that is compulsory if performing such a simplified video with no sign of special props, lighting or location and simply done to emphasise her body and dancing skills.

(2.00) 'I walk like this cos' i can back it up...', in sync with the lyrics the three performers begin walking sideways, to the left of the camera which then switches just as before to a behind view, by doing this switching the direction in which they are walking. This is done five times. I have considered the approach In which they have considered in making the video, and the techniques they have used here are very clever and keep the audience intrigued through the trick photography.
The shot then continues to a long shot of the three dancing in unison holding sticks, again their movements in perfect timing with each other and the song, gradually getting faster. Another variety of close up, medium and long shots included.
The shot focuses next on Beyonce again sitting on a chair (2.15), taking into consideration the different shots again, the first of her sitting down is shown from the right hand side as a diagonal shot, simply to not bore the audience with the same front shot view. The cut changes along with the music, to all three dancers, shown in a long shot and front on. These two contrasting shots of the dancers and Beyonce alone swap roughly three times, jumping between the two of them; the close up of Beyonce gives the audience a more detailed and precise aspect to look at, as the shots switch between her face and the dancers.
This technique continues until (2.38) when the video begins to focus more so on the dancers alone. The main camera shot used here is a medium shot, making it apparent to the audience that there is nothing else they should be focused on apart from the dancers within center focus. At one point the three of them stop still in the rough shape of a triangle, Beyonce slightly forward; the simplicity of the video and also the fact that Beyonce is so popular within the music industry allows the three of them to be able to stand still for a couple of seconds and still be interesting to watch!

(2.54) The two dancers and Beyonce are seen in front view and in a long shot, there is a bright light directly above Beyonce, in the middle of the shot. The video is performed in black and white, therefore the bright white light emphasises the intensity and effect of the video, allowing the three of them to glow, simply showing a brick wall behind them, and the reflection of the light and the three of them in the floor. When watching this you find the effect extremely worth while, as it singles out everything around them enhancing and highlighting the fact that there is nothing in the room apart from the three of them. A very simple but amazing effect that implicitly attracts attention to them without realising it.
The camera angle shows a high angle, the audience looking up at them, all three of the girls dresses suddenly glow with bright sparkles, adding a pretty effect to their dresses in order to attract attention to them. This adds a romantic feel to the song also, as the girls portray this by moving slowly and the song at this moment is slow and accapello.
To add to this, a close up of Beyonce, and then a long shot of all three of them, slowly dancing in unison. A number of shots follow this, a couple from the right angle to keep the shot variety also. the multiple shots of the Beyonces and the girls' body assets such as around their stomachs, their legs, their breasts and heels add a seductive sense to the video, expressing it's sexy side to the audience also, (and showing of Beyonce's body!) another form of catching the viewers eye.

(3.40)The video comes to an end with a close up shot of Beyonce from the waist up, dancing on the chair, simple yet fun, and something most people do!
the camera shot slowly moves backwards, leaving us to view Beyonce in a medium shot them a long shot, until finally the image slowly fades into a blackout.
I believe this is a fun and exciting way to end the video, it is not too much and it is not over the top, it creates a lightened mood and in my opinion leaves the audience impressed and looking forward to seeing the video again!