Production techniques in American History X
Soundtrack- Voice-over
Essentially this is Danny’s story of how his life has changed. The audience are made to feel special, as
though someone is telling them something very personal and so we should value what he is saying. He
remembers the events that led up to Derek’s release from prison and with his feelings, helps to introduce the
flashbacks that “fill in the blanks”. The moral of the story is spelled out clearly by the central character of
Danny. The audience hears Danny’s voice reading the final passage of his own essay, saying “this is what I
learned”, the audience looking at his blood-splattered, baby faced body, symbolically lying in the toilet. The
fact that even he doesn’t realise the moral until right before he is shot, gives the audience the message that
they too must realise the in-ground ideas and change before it is too late for them.
Examples when the audience hears the voiceover are:
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Using your knowledge from the film and the information that has been given to you above write TWO
paragraphs that answer the following question: “Describe how production techniques contribute to the visual
text you have studied.”
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Soundtrack- Music
By having Danny shot, the ending is both unexpected and shocking. The director builds on this by constantly
showing close ups of Derek’s worried face looking over his shoulder in the walk to the diner and during the
lead up to the final bathroom scene. It is then we hear the score (a repeated piece of music) that has been
slowly recurring throughout the film- a choral arrangement of high heavenly, angelic voices suggest that this
is not just mindless entertainment but a story with a message and a purpose. This score also helps contribute
to the idea of Derek as a Christ-like figure.
Examples when the audience hears the score are:
1.
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2.
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3.
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Using your knowledge from the film and the information that has been given to you above write TWO
paragraphs that answer the following question: “Describe how production techniques contribute to the visual
text you have studied.”
T ____________________________________________________________________________________
E ____________________________________________________________________________________
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X ____________________________________________________________________________________
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AS ____________________________________________________________________________________
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