The short clip I have chosen to analyse is one from ‘Once Upon A Time’, I found the clip on YouTube.

I have analysed some of its key editing techniques.

There are a series of shots in the beginning of this scene that suggest power, wealth, urgency and darkness. These shots show the Evil Queen’s carriage being towed and surrounded by many black horses and darkly-armed knights – this shows her importance and power. The speed of these shots – there are quite a few short shots strung together – shows the urgency of the Queen’s journey. There is also a low, panning shot that almost rides along-side the horses as the carriage moves forward. The music from the soundtrack is fast paced, building tension in the scene. When the carriage stops its door almost immediately opens revealing the Evil Queen – this coincides with the climax, and pause in the soundtrack. This could represent the Evil Queen’s menacing power. The camera pans up the Queen’s body when she steps out of the carriage so that we focus on her rich clothing – she is also wearing typically ‘evil’ colours, red and black. These could symbolise her evil character and that she is dangerous, however, it also slightly sexualises her character. Her costume is low-cut, her make-up is sleek, and her clothing is well-fitted. This contrasts with what the Evil Queen sees; the grubby, poorly dressed, and dull looking peasants – the audience also see them, due to a point of view shot/eye-line match editing. Another skilful piece of editing in this scene is the use of cutaways. We see the Evil Queen and the peasants she is threatening – this action happens out in the open of the small village, and then we cut to the hedges and foliage on the outsides of the woods that overlook the village and we see Emma and Hook crouching down. They obviously do not want to be seen by anyone – their eye-line’s, and the over the shoulder shots, show that they are watching the events that are taking place in the village. The fact that they know the Evil Queen’s real name shows that they are linked to the character. Emma wants to save the captured woman and Hook pulls her away this highlights the fact they cannot interfere – this suggests that Hook is either afraid, or that there is something bigger going on that they should not mess with. This is revealed to be true, as they have gone back in time, and to another world, and they cannot interfere with past events or time may alter.

My analytical paragraph

• ‘The speed of these shots – there are quite a few short shots strung together – shows the urgency of the Queen’s journey.’

• ‘When the carriage stops its door almost immediately opens revealing the Evil Queen – this coincides with the climax, and pause in the soundtrack. This could represent the Evil Queen’s menacing power. ’

• ‘This contrasts with what the Evil Queen sees; the grubby, poorly dressed, and dull looking peasants – the audience also see them, due to a point of view shot/eye-line match editing.’

• ‘They obviously do not want to be seen by anyone – their eye-line’s, and the over the shoulder shots, show that they are watching the events that are taking place in the village.’

My main analytical points on the editing of the scene

‘The speed of these shots – there are quite a few short shots strung together – shows the urgency of the Queen’s journey.’

‘When the carriage stops its door almost immediately opens revealing the Evil Queen – this coincides with the climax, and pause in the soundtrack. This could represent the Evil Queen’s menacing power. ’

‘This contrasts with what the Evil Queen sees; the grubby, poorly dressed, and dull looking peasants – the audience also see them, due to a point of view shot/eye-line match editing.’

‘They obviously do not want to be seen by anyone – their eye-line’s, and the over the shoulder shots, show that they are watching the events that are taking place in the village.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW7sDZuNKoc