Beyoncé approached Melina Matsoukas to direct the accompanying music video for "Formation" a few weeks before its release. After Matsoukas agreed to direct the video, Beyoncé invited Matsoukas to her house in Los Angeles and explained the concept behind Lemonade.

Who directed Formation?

Melina Matsoukas has been directing for a long time. She's the vision behind popular music videos including some of Rihanna and Lady Gaga's most memorable moments. Perhaps most notably, she directed Beyoncé's “Lemonade” as well as “Formation,” which won her a music video Grammy Award.

How was Formation filmed?

Tobman told the website that the flooding scene in which Beyonce sits atop the NOPD car was filmed inside a water tank at a Los Angeles soundstage. The bottom of the car was filled with foam and the whole thing was connected to winches and pulleys so it "could be sunk over and over again."