The opening scene of Kingsman sets up mystery and intrigue through its unusual setting and characters. Soldiers are shown fighting in the desert while a man is tied to a chair, creating questions about the conflict and who the characters are. The presence of men dressed in black with concealed faces adds to the mystery. Through combat gear, weapons, and hostage-taking, the opening establishes there is a conflict between opposing sides and that the men in black appear to be the more powerful force. The pacing of the editing starts steady and speeds up during the violence to convey a sense of chaos. Musical score also contributes to the rushed and chaotic mood.

1. AS Media Studies: Foundation Portfolio Kingsman
Code and
Conventions
Findings Textual Evidence
Creation of
enigma.
At first the setting is quite unusual and
could create enigma like why is the
first scene set in the desert? Then you
see soldiers in combat with guns, this
creates enigma as you wonder whats
going on? Why is their conflict? Near
the end of the opening you see a man
tied up on a chair, this creates enigma
as you want to know why hes there
and whats caused him to be tied up.
Then behind was a person dressed in
black. The colour black connotes
death so could create enigma. Also the
fact you couldn’t see his face created
enigma.
Setting – desert
Clothing – black all over
Guns
Introduction to
characters
The first people you see you can
instantly see they are in a conflict as
they are wearing combats and holding
guns. This could connote they are
violent people. There is then 2 men
hanging off a helicopter in all black.
This could maybe signify they are
assassins? There is also another one
with a man tied up in civilian clothes,
this could connote they are attacking
the innocent?
Clothing
Weapons
Setting up Plot
Through what you see in the opening
you can tell there is some kind of
conflict due to the combat clothing
and killing and holding people
hostage. We know also that the men in
black are more powerful as they have a
man tied up and easily killed 2 soldiers
and bombed a building. “The other
side” haven’t been seen doing
anything threatening and winning.
Pace and rhythm
Editing/mise en
scene/camera
shots
The pace of the editing was steady at
the beginning then as the helicopter
came and war started then the editing
got quicker to connote chaos and
wreckage. The film began with a fade
to signify to the audience it’s the start
of the film and this helps them follow
the storyline. It then starts with an
extreme close up of a stereo then
zooms out to reveal the whole setting.
This would shock the audience as they
wouldn’t expect a stereo to be situated

2. AS Media Studies: Foundation Portfolio Kingsman
in the middle of the dessert. Also the
facial expressions on the 2 soldier’s
faces when they see the helicopter is
shocked and rushed.
mood and tone
(non diegetic
music)
The non digetic music is very upbeat
and lively to connote chaos and make
it seem rushed.