Hairspray-You Can't Stop The Beat Scene analysis

The song starts with Tracy coming down a lift with '1962' (the date the narrative is set) wearing a black and white mini dress. This dress displays many things, one being the social change,black and white resembling racism and colours coming together therefore changing times that Tracey has fought for throughout the duration of the film. Additionally, the mini dress she wears as the other girls in this scene, with the exception of Edna and Velma are all wearing petticoats that was the popular get-up in 50's than 60's therefore representing living in a trapped time.(That could also be symbolised when Velma gets trapped in the studio by Tracey's crew.) Additionally, the black and white shows the technology at the time (also shown in this clip with Penny's mum) as TV during those times where in black and white therefore making sense to wear black and white to make their costumes bolder which is why the male performers except Corny Colin himself wear black and white suits matching Tracy with Link, confirming their companionship.

The words of the TV show are shown also, the squared title in the background therefore, like the on-set camera crew put the scene into 60's context. Additionally, the sponsor is also shown next to Tracy further displaying TV context. Tracy's composition in this first few shots shows that she is the one who is going to make or at least start the social change that the film has lead up to and also putting her center stage as the main character that she is. 

Amber on the other hand is shown wearing a petticoat and lace gloves that suggests living in older times altogether,almost Austen time period. The yellow outfit matches her hair showing that she's living life perfectly with everything matching and therefore the rest of her life is set too (by Velma). The pastel however shows that she's aging compared to the other characters in bright colours(in changing times sense) and possibly a little bit dim in this scene anyway. 

The dancing in this scene is big and bold but not necessarily partner dancing like films such as Dirty Dancing but instead creates a sense of unison from all doing the same routine, started by Tracy. This is mainly filmed using high angle shots to reveal the big numbered cast, MS and CU's of the singing character. Some of these shots I find interesting as they are OTS of the camera men which confuses context in a way. If the shots were in 60's we wouldn't need to look OTS but through the camera the camera crew use instead of an additional camera therefore supposing it is from the POV of a crew member. The lighting for this sequence is studio based much like the scene blacking out the studio audience and lighting up the main stage allowing different lighting effects to be used had this scene been filmed in the street like Welcome to the 60's and I Know Where I've Been. 

The actors in this scene are all smiley and happy except Amber and Velma distinguishing them as the antagonists in a melodramatic style which is shown throughout this sequence. 

Edna's outfit in this scene is interesting as it's red with gold; the red therefore displaying passion that the basis of the song is about but red to also represent danger to Velma and her 'perfect plan'. The gold tassels work well as Edna shimmy's during her sequence and also revealing some social status by her glamorous glitter which contrasts with Little Inez's plain blue dress that shows the effects of her racial and social discrimination until now presenting the contrast of different class. 

Talking of different class, Motormouth Maybelle however seems to be on similar levels of society as Edna as she wears gold and red compared to Edna's red and gold. This therefore presents Motormouth's priority over other characters by being a DJ but because of their age and discrimination (racial and weight) both are shown wearing similar clothing. 

$202 548 575 worldwide gross (IMDB source)