Media- St George's Day

1. AS Media Studies: Foundation Portfolio – St George’s Day
Code and
Conventions
Findings Textual Evidence
Creation of
enigma.
Enigma is created as the lighting in
the opening is dark and low key to
connote mystery. It makes the
audience think something is going
to happen and builds up tension.
The low key lighting makes it hard
to see what is going on to connote
panic and fear. The man at the
beginning isn’t facing the camera
so you want to know who he is and
if he’s good or bad. The voice over
‘I didn’t kill anyone who didn’t
deserve it’ creates an enigma as
the audience wants to know who he
killed them and what did he do to
deserve it. This signifies suspicion
and worry. When the character
finally reveals his face, he has
shadows on it which signifies he
could possibly be the villain. The
gun creates enigma because you’re
intrigued to find out why he has one
and what is he going to use it for.
Low key lighting, mysterious,
voice over, shadows, villain,
gun.
Introduction to
characters
The suspicious man is first
introduced in a medium close up.
You can’t see his face which
signifies he could be ashamed or
mysterious. We get the impression
that he is the villain as he has
something to hide. He is dressed in
dark, black clothing. Black connotes
death, power and evilness which
could reinforce his character. When
you first see a glimpse of his face,
shadows are covering it to connote
mystery and darkness. You then
see he is wearing a suit to signify
he might have a well-paid job and
could be powerful and dominant.
His shirt looks pink to signify he
isn’t a bad person and has a softer
Medium close up, villain, dark
costume, shadows, suit, shirt,
guns.

2. AS Media Studies: Foundation Portfolio – St George’s Day
side. Another character is
introduced and they both are
picking up guns. This connotes
death and murder. We can’t make
out who the mystery man is as the
shadows and darkness are hiding
half of his face. This signifies he
could also be a villain and that they
are working together.
Setting up Plot
A plot is set up when the first
character gets into his car with
another character as they have
guns in the boot. This signifies they
might be working together and they
have conflict with other characters.
This could also signify that
someone may be murdered or
badly injured. This connotes death
and negativity. A very long shot of
them waking side by side signifies
they might be going to their
enemies. You want to know what
will happen and why it is
happening.
Suspicious characters, guns,
conflict, very long shot.
Pace and rhythm
Editing/mise en
scene/camera
shots
A fade in is used to signify to the
audience that the film has begun
which gives a steady pace to it. A
medium close up is used of the
man who isn’t facing the camera.
This signifies he could be a villain
and is hiding in the dark. The
setting appears to be isolated and
outdoors. This creates a spooky
atmosphere. It then dissolves to
signify that it links together. A tilt is
used from the top of a building to a
very long shot of the man so the
audience can see what he is
wearing which is dark clothing to
connote mystery and danger.
Another dissolve it used to a
medium close up where we can see
Fade in, medium close up,
villain, isolated setting,
dissolve, tilt, very long shot,
costume, facial expression,
long shot, medium shot, voice
over, murderer, fade out, pan,
straight cut, enigma, two shot,
prop (gun), low key lighting,
slow pace.

3. AS Media Studies: Foundation Portfolio – St George’s Day
some of his face. His facial
expression signifies he is lost in
thought. He could be thinking of the
crime that he committed. A
dissolve is used to a long shot of
the city to signify where he lives.
The place looks clean and not run
down. This connotes wealth. A
medium shot of him looking out at
the city is used to reinforce that
he’s lost in thought or may not be
thinking straight. As he turns
around the camera freezes on him
as he says ‘I didn’t kill anyone who
didn’t deserve it.’ This voice over
signifies it is an important moment
in the film and that the audience will
find out the meaning behind it. This
connotes death and murder. A fade
out is then used to signify a new
scene. A pan is used when a
medium shot of him walking is used
so the audience can clearly see
where he is going and find out what
he is up to. A straight cut is used to
a long shot of him getting into the
car. This creates an enigma as you
want to know whose car it is.
Another straight cut is used to a two
shot introduces a new character.
He is also dressed is dark clothing
to connote danger. This signifies
they might be working together. A
very long shot of the car driving off
quickly to connote power and
adrenaline. A medium close up of a
prop is used which appears to be
gun. This connotes death, danger
and mystery. Another two shot is
used of them walking away from
the camera is used to reinforce the
idea of them working together.
Throughout the opening the lighting

4. AS Media Studies: Foundation Portfolio – St George’s Day
is low key to build up tension and to
create an eerie atmosphere. The
pace of the opening is very slow
and steady so the audience can
follow and understand what is
happening clearly.
Mood and tone
(non diegetic
music)
The non-diegetic music is slow
which connotes a spooky and
mysterious mood.
Non-diegetic music