Many artists mention Eminem sense of humour and pranks as something that makes working with him special. For Spidey Smith, this understanding did not come from the first go.
Ryan Smith, aka Spidey started shooting music videos when he was 18 with multiplatinum Bone Thugs N’ Harmony as his first clients. He worked with Eminem on set when he was young, but the second time around, shooting “Best Friend” for him and Yelawolf in 2015, he learned Marshall’s new side.
Spidey got into a storytelling mood on his official Instagram account, sharing a snippet of the video to illustrate his tale:
This was my second time working with @eminem!! The first time directing him I was 22 years old… Young and naive to say the least. Simply stoked to have him in front of my lens. This go around I was 40 and a hell of a lot more seasoned.
As a director it’s extremely important to check in with the artist periodically while capturing their performances to gauge their feelings about how they are seeing themselves on the playback monitor. Midway through Em’s church performance, he and I were chatting about his shots.
Me: “Em how you feeling about what you’re seeing?
Em extremely serious and straight faced in front of everyone: “I don’t know man.. I’m just not feeling it. It’s probably me. I don’t know… Maybe I’m off or something. I wish I knew what to tell you.”
This went back and forth for what seemed like eternity but in actuality was 2 or 3 minutes. I was beginning to sweat but contained my sudden panic.
Me: “I think I know what your needing. Let me fix. (I really had no clue… I just wanted to remove myself to think quickly and clearly haha).
As I began to walk back to set to sort out anything I could think of, Em yells, “Yo Spidey! Haha I’m just fuckin’ with you! I love everything haha!”
Shortly after @rosenberg whispers at me and says, “that’s how ya know Em likes you!”
I’ve never felt more relief while on set than that moment!
Watch Yelawolf — “Best Friend” feat. Eminem
