Sunday 8 June 2014

Analysis of 'Stan' Music Video

Analysis of 'Stan' Music Video


This is the music video for 'Stan' by Eminem.

The video combines all three elements of performance, narrative and conceptual in order to leave a very poignant and memorable image in the audiences mind. The video is mainly centred around a narrative structure thus the video has a definite beginning, middle and end.
The beginning shows that the equilibrium of the narrative is not right, as a dark sinister tone is created. This is done through dim lighting and the heavy rain, thunder and lightening casts an ominous shadow over the pregnant girl lying on the bed. The girl is played by Dido, who features on the track as a singer. It is odd that Dido is playing the girl, but is effective as it creates a connection between all three characters. As the camera pans in through the window, it shows that she is vulnerable and alone. This immediately conjures a dark mood of the piece and this is carried on throughout. The music is also sinister, thus adds tension to the piece.
The protagonist, 'Stan' is then introduced. He is playing the role of an obsessed Eminem fan, therefore when we meet him, he is dying his hair blonde to match his idol's. This establishes the idea that 'Stan' is quite unhinged and that he has taken the concept of star image too far. From the intense bathroom scene we cut to the real star, Eminem. The audience see that he looks extremely similar to 'Stan' and that a load of fan mail has just arrived. This foreshadows what is too come, and leads the audience to sympathise with both 'Stan' and Eminem. The camera tracks downwards, through the floor boards to bring up the image of 'Stan's ' basement. The lightening again causes a creepy mood to be created, and the repeated images of Eminem's face on posters lighted by the flashing lightening adds to the idea that 'Stan' is quite deranged.

The mise en scene of the basement adds to the atmosphere of the video. It matches the idea that Eminem is more attractive to people who shared the same lifestyle he did while growing up. The lyrics add to this concept, as they show that Eminem's fans have numerous domestic problems in common. As an artist, Eminem is trying to entice a wider audience by showing that everyone is the same, and have troubles that need confronting; he is showing that there is little difference between a star and an ordinary person. This makes the audience feel connected with the artist, thus in turn draws them into liking that artist. The basement is full of odd objects, that combined with the multiple images of Eminem creates a weird and potentially disturbing image. The panning shot that displays the images on the wall are then cut back to 'Stan', thus showing the similarities between them and thus accentuating the idea that he is a crazed fan who has taken the concept of star image too far.

The video also uses dramatic irony, as it shows that 'Stan' has no logical reason to hate Eminem, as his letters were lost in the post. This casts a positive light on Eminem, as it shows that he cares for his fans welfare, and that his star image is not who he really is. This entices a wider potential audience, which benefits the artist considerably. Furthermore, the reply Eminem sends 'Stan' and then after he realised that he is dead, conveys how Eminem does not want his fans to take him too seriously, but to just enjoy the music instead of taking it too to heart. This benefits Eminem's star image as it shows to people critical of Eminem, that he is a different person than the image his lyrics creates. Eminem is going against his stage persona in order to showcase the wrongs of star image obsession. #

The video reaches a crescendo with the car falling from the bridge. The equilibrium has reached maximum crisis level as 'Stan' kills himself and his pregnant girlfriend, who is in the trunk of his car. The moment is foreshadowed by the lyrics, as there are numerous references to drowning and this builds up the momentum of the piece until it crashes down as the car hits the water. The heavy rain adds to the danger of 'Stan's' wild driving, and the reference to some of Eminem's previous songs, show that Eminem really does not want his fans to take his music seriously, as it could lead to serious harm. The picture of Eminem attached to the mirror in the car adds to the idea of obsession and as it swings in the bright lights of the cars headlights, a dangerous and creepy atmosphere is created. The image of the sinking car cuts to Eminem, who is shown to be replying to Stan's letter. The glasses he is wearing, symbolise intelligence and his words are caring and compassionate as he urges Stan to get help before he does something stupid. The image of 'Stan's' little brother at 'Stan's' gravestone with bleach blonde hair, shows how far obsession in a star image can go, and that if not destroyed, it can become engrained in a person which can lead to devastating consequences.







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