Antidote Quote by Howard Hawks
“I find that when you open on a group of people sitting down and talking, the scene sits down with them. The best antidote for that is an entrance. Begin the scene with someone entering, and somehow it’s more interesting.”
About This Quote
Source Film: His Girl Friday, 1940 (screenwriting anecdote)
Starting a scene with an entrance creates immediate interest and dynamic interaction.
In simple terms: Begin scenes with a character entering.
Use entrances to spark engagement.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- theatre
- film directing
- writing workshops
- improvisation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can entrances enhance tension?
- When might a static scene work better?
Relying solely on entrances may neglect character depth.