Music video analysis

1. EMINEM - NOT AFRAID: MUSIC
VIDEO ANALYSIS
By Youssef Daoud

2. 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.

3. Mise-en-scéne
An 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.

4. Mise-en-scene
Eminem 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.

5. Narrative/Performance
The 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.