Music Video Analysis

Eminem- Bezerk

This is the video to Eminem’s new single

‘Bezerk’. The song fits into the genre of ‘Hip

Hop’, we will explore whether its conventions

challenge this, or indeed reflect it.

Editing

The sequence starts with Eminem staring at an old television screen, editing

effects are used consequently to give the impression the whole video is being

filmed through the eyes of the television. We see through the screen, due to the

banding, and ‘fuzzy’ effects used on each clip.

Fast editing is used throughout, reflecting the pace of rapping. Video is cut, to

be in time with the Artist’s hand movements and where each verse finishes.

This gives a definite beat and strong pulse throughout, marrying and

encompassing the audio and visuals.

Naive and almost childlike colour manipulation effects are used, which lends

itself to the ‘rushed’ feel, the rapping and dancing is not precise and doesn't

appear planned, extreme care that you might expect to see in genres like

classical or pop, has not been taken, which creates an effect in its self;

mimicking the hip hop genre. However this heavily juxtaposes the lyrics from a

song which has evidently taken time and care to write, due to the emotive lyrics

and clever satirical rhymes.

Camera

An extremely low camera angle is used throughout, which makes viewers look

up to Eminem, showing the Artist’s power and dominance. He also has virtually

all the screen prevalence and the focus is firmly on him, with many close up

shots; further highlighting his power. This also helps record companies achieve

brand recognition. This keeps in with conventions of hip hop, as rap Artists are

never portrayed as weak and the aim more often than not, is to assert

dominance.

A fisheye lens is used on the camera in the scenes where the artist is lip syncing.

This gives an impression that we are looking at him through a security camera or

such like, the way he is staring into it sand rapping at it, could symbolise his ‘bad

man’ nature, in the way that he doesn't feel threatened by being watched.

However the angle used where we are looking up to the artist and he is staring

right at us, doesn't allow for us to be withdrawn from the experience, we can

relate with it more and feel more personally involved, as if Eminem is rapping at

us, he audience.

Mise En Scene

The clothes worn are of the baggy/sportswear type.

This fits in with the general conventions of Hip Hop

videos, due to rappers often having little money

when they start out. This also keeps with the

stereotype that rappers are ‘chavs.’

Lighting used is mostly dim, the scenes are lit but

not well lit. This adds to the ‘low rent’ (purposeful)

feel that has been achieved by the director. Walls

are dingy and grimy, giving a grunge feel, relating

to the hip hop genre.

ConventionsThe video challenges Goodwin’s notion that successful music videos must

address the idea of ‘male gaze’. The video has no real focus on women and is

controlled by men throughout. This could however suggest that the men are

more powerful and women are not needed, which would back up the

stereotype that women are ‘less talented.’

There is no obvious or profound link between the lyrics and visuals. The clips

are relevant in the way they are of the artist, mostly Eminem, so keeping in

with Goodwin’s convention that the artist must be shown. However, the video

does not portray the lyrics in a different light, highlight them, or even contradict

them.

There is however, a relationship between the music and the visuals. The

video is cut in time with the beat of music and fast paced editing is used,

mirroring the pace of music. This helps the video to flow, showing a

fundamental link between the elements that make up the video. Thus, the

video keeps in with Goodwin’s convention in that the music and visual

experience do link and have an obvious relationship.