Though it is not noticed as often as plot, dialog, and acting, a director puts a lot of effort into his use of cinematography, editing, and music. These do not make the argument as much as they serve to enhance it, to reinforce it. As was the case with many of the earlier elements of filmmaking we have looked at, these modes of argument also send contradictory messages about what exactly Oliver Stone's point is. Those elements which support Stone's argument are helpful to him in defending himself against accusations of irresponsibility, but because they often go unnoticed, they don't necessarily guard against misinterpretations of the film.

These elements should also be examined in relation to those four essential points for Stone to make:

• focus on the media in order to show its importance to his message
• create a contrast between how the media in his movie portray the killers and the way they really are (i.e., the way they are portrayed in the rest of the film)
• have at least some indication that he is not condoning violence and murder
• create, perhaps, sympathetic characters in his killers, but not so sympathetic that there seems to be excuse for their actions