This presentation includes a technical, narrative and genre analysis of the music video - Mr. Rager by Kid Cudi

1. MR. RAGER
Kid Cudi
Alternative Hip-Hop

2. PRODUCTION & RECORD
COMPANY
Label: GOOD Music, Universal Republic
Writer: Scott Mescudi
Producer: Emile, No I.D., Jeff Bhasker
Directed By: Jeremie Rozan

3. BACKGROUND
The video is mainly a performance in which Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi) is
playing the lead role. Cudi shed light on the song‟s, meaning: “This song is
about someone who is fed up with reality, who looks for thrills and excitement
by any means.” In the video Scott is killed by himself which to me is a
representation meaning you‟re your own worst enemy. The plot and concerns
of the video have been subject to much debate. Kanye West makes a cameo
appearance in the video.

4. MR. RAGER PERFORMANCE
The video starts of with Kid Cudi torching a stick of wood on fire whilst
looking mysteriously over the building. In this video Kid Cudi plays two sides,
one being Mr. Rager and one being himself. The video then cuts to a scene of
Cudi breaking into an abandoned warehouse. He walks around looking
confused and slightly worried. Mr. Rager then throws the wooden stick onto
the floor shocking Kid Cudi who then runs away. He then strolls into a room
full of sinister and dangerous looking men. The song kicks in and he begins to
fight them. Cudi is able to fight off all the „demons‟ in the video until he tries
to punch Kanye West (Cameo Appearance) in which his punch goes through
him and he falls to the ground. He has now been beaten down and can no
longer fight back, his darker self then comes and stabs him. The video then
cuts to a scene in which his eyes are closed and once opened we find out that
he is in therapy with a psychiatrist.

5. TECHNICAL ASPECTS – CAMERA
WORK
The video consists of interesting use of medium-close and close ups
which seems to be an ideal way of portraying the emotions of the
characters, especially in the two character‟s Scott plays.
The shots show Scott‟s face as he enters the abandoned building which
from the shots it is displayed how worried and scared he is.
The camera angles have a particular impact on the music video. As
Scott is entering the building and walking further into it, the camera
displays low angle shots as if he is looking towards his obstacles and
how difficult it is.
Another interesting addition to the camera work is the use of shotreverse-shot which is used to show the fearsome characters Scott is
looking at and his expression towards it as he tries to keep calm and
this also shows all the anger that‟s inside him.

6. TECHNICAL ASPECTS - EDITING
The music video features a fast and edgy cut rate to add to the suspense of
the actions shown. The editing also goes well with the music as it‟s pace
matches the pace of the beat. The action kicks in more when the music flows
into the chorus.
Along with cutting to the beat, a slow motion effect is used on some parts of
the music video as Scott fights his enemies, it also matches some parts of the
song where the music slows down at some points.
Lip synching is not required in the music video as it more like a feature film
where he isn't singing/rapping the lyrics.

7. TECHNICAL ASPECTS – MISE EN
SCENE
Scotts darker side (Mr Rager) wears a hooded jacket so his identity is not clear to
those who have not seen it before which adds to the impact once they realize it
was him all along.
The enemies shown in the video have clothing to make them look sinister and evil,
they can be seen with crazy face tattoos and mostly leather clothing. This adds to
the sense of danger the audience receives.
The location in this video is mainly inside an abandoned building which is filled
with numerous people who try to kill Scott. It looks mistreated which builds a
bigger impact on the drama created when Scott has to fight off his demons.
The lighting plays a significant role in this production as mostly low key lighting is
used. The video was shot as night and inside the building no source of lighting
except for the shine of the moonlight, increase the sinister feel to the video.