EMINEM - NOT AFRAID: MUSIC VIDEO ANALYSIS

By Youssef Daoud

Cinematography Cinematography was used effectively throughout the video as a wide shot was used at the start zooming in towards Eminem, tracking towards Eminem, this immediately brings to mind the title of this music video ‘Not Afraid’ this shows us that he is not frightened as he stands on top of the roof unfazed by anything or he was going towards something that really frightened him in the past.

Medium/close up shot was used to show Eminem is in a world of his own as presented on the left, this shows us that Eminem is in his own world as every body behind him are facing the opposite direction. This could also show us that Eminem is again ‘Not Afraid’ and is about to embrace something he doesn’t desire.

Mise-en-scéneAn effective use of mise-en-scene within the music video is in the city and in the basement. The basement shows us that he was once poor struggling to make a living and then moving on to bigger things which the city represents. This also fits the generic conventions of a rap video as they are set in the streets and in rundown environment, the director chose these two very different images not just to show how he was living but to also tell a story.

Mise-en-sceneEminem wears a black jacket and black vest there is also other items such as his trainers, which is shown through close ups, these clothes show us what is expected to be worn in a rap video not only that but these dark colour schemes symbolises depression and hardship. He is also dressed differently from others and is easily recognised when he walks past people on the street making him stand out.

Narrative/PerformanceThe narrative of this music video is that he is not afraid of anything and finding his self again. (Eminem) This is linked to the lyrics as the title is ‘Not Afraid’ as he stands on the edge of a skyscraper and also falls off a cliff showing off again that he is not scared of anything. The artist Eminem was also taking part in this narrative making it more personnel for him referring back to the past.The performance is the most important part of the video the artist is the main focus of the video. This is a conversation in rap video as the rap artist is always the main focus point.