Griffith brought all of his experience and techniques to this film from his earliest short films at Biograph, including the following:the use of ornate title cardsspecial use of subtitles graphically verbalizing imageryits own original musical score written for an orchestrathe introduction of night photography (using magnesium flares)the use of outdoor natural landscapes as backgroundsthe definitive usage of the still-shotelaborate costuming to achieve historical authenticity and accuracymany scenes innovatively filmed from many different and multiple anglesthe technique of the camera "iris" effect (expanding or contracting circular masks to either reveal and open up a scene, or close down and conceal a part of an image)the use of parallel action and editing in a sequence (Gus"" attempted rape of Flora, and the KKK rescues of Elsie from Lynch and of Ben""s sister Margaret)extensive use of color tinting for dramatic or psychological effect in sequencesmoving, traveling or "panning" camera racking shotsthe effective use of total-screen close-ups to reveal intimate expressionsbeautifully crafted, intimate family exchangesthe use of vignettes seen in "balloons" or "iris-shots" in one portion of a darkened screenthe use of fade-outs and cameo-profiles (a medium closeup in front of a blurry background)the use of lap dissolves to blend or switch from one image to anotherhigh-angle shots and the abundant use of panoramic long shotsthe dramatization of history in a moving story - an example of an early spectacle or epic film with historical costuming and many historical references (e.I was told there was nothing left.No reason, no, uh, conscience, no understanding and even the most rudimentary sense of life or death, of good or evil, right or wrong.But he holds onto her possession in the palm of his own hand and then leans back on the counter - she struts over and takes the case out of his hand.You don""t hink much of that, do you?In contrast to her unappealing pursuits, his "racket" is similarly "awful": "brain surgery, a large practice, about ten days off every summer.