Firsts Quote by Anton Chekhov
“If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise don't put it there.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Seagull, 1896
A prop introduced early must be used later, or it should never have been introduced.
In simple terms: Use introduced elements purposefully.
Key Takeaway
Plan and follow through.
Themes
drama
structure
foreshadowing
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
instructional
critical
When to use this quote
- theatre production
- screenwriting
- stage direction
Key Concepts
narrative design
cause and effect
Questions to Reflect On
- How does early setup affect audience expectations?
- When is it better to omit a detail?
A Different Perspective
If the prop is unnecessary, it distracts audience.
![“Since I worked with Danny Boyle before on Slumdog Millionaire, we have great success and everything. So, when I first got the script and the screenplay of Simon (Beaufoy) and I was reading it, even before the shoot, some kind of sounds came into my mind and I put some stuff [down] and sent it to…” quote by A. R. Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/573/a-r-rahman-4481_cutting_since-i-worked-with-danny-boyle-before-o_539.jpg)
