Troperiffic Tuesday!: Chekhov’s Gun

Chick 1 says:

Welcome back to Troperiffic Tuesday!  This week we’re looking at one of the basic tenets of storytelling, Chekhov’s Gun.  The trope is based on a principle espoused by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov.  Chekhov said it a variety of ways but it comes down to this, “If you have a gun on stage, it better go off before the end of the play.”

Chekhov’s Gun falls under the Law of Conservation of Detail which teaches writers to make every word, every bit of dialogue count.  If it doesn’t drive the story, don’t waste your precious time with it.  In movies you only have 90-120 minutes to tell a story, on TV only 22-43 minutes so every detail has to count.  Don’t introduce any element that distracts from the story.

The trope isn’t limited to guns or weapons.  In fact it’s created a variety of subgenres like Chekhov’s Skills and Chekhov’s Joke.  Chekhov’s Gun can also create Foreshadowing.  The opposite of Chekhov’s Gun is the Red Herring, an item or character introduced to fool the audience into thinking the story is going one way when it’s really going another. 

Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg are masters of Conservation of Detail and as a result, masters at using Chekhov’s Gun.  In both Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz,  there are dozens of details that come back into play later in the movie like the swan that Sgt Angel chases through out Hot Fuzz.  The swan is a symbol of Angel’s frustration with his new quiet country life but it’s the swan that actually deals the final blow to the bad guy.

J.K. Rowling uses this trope almost to a fault.  By the 3rd or 4th  Harry Potter book/movie, the audience began to expect that whatever spell the trio learned in class would be crucial to defeating Voldemort at the  end.  What was great about this method is that learning the spells served several purposes.  First, it added to feel of the young wizards being at school but with a whimsical element.  Second, while the kids were studying they were also often passing on exposition to the audience while they were chatting.  And finally, Rowling was setting them up with the skills they’d need for the big finale.

Other Chekhov’s Guns include the Omega-13 in Galaxy Quest, Marion’s drinking skills in Raiders, and Tony’s first chest piece in Iron Man.  Slumdog Millionaire was one long set of Chekhov’s Guns as each episode of  Jamal’s life gives him what he needs for the game show. 

 And don’t forget ”No capes!” in The Incredibles.  Here’s proof that a good fashion designer can save your life!

Posted on by Chick 1 in Tropes 48,346 Comments

48,346 Responses to Troperiffic Tuesday!: Chekhov’s Gun

  1. best skin doctor near me

    It’s difficult to find educated people in this particular topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks

  2. chiropractor singapore

    Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It will always be exciting to read content from other authors and use a little something from other sites.

  3. Eu FüHrerschein Kaufen Erfahrungen

    The Reason Why Buy A Driving License Legally Is A Lot More Hazardous Than You Thought Eu FüHrerschein Kaufen Erfahrungen

  4. QH 88

    Your style is very unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this site.

  5. Denese

    Ten Myths About Scooter Driving License That Don’t Always Hold ile kosztuje prawo jazdy na skuter (Denese)

  6. article source

    Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to
    assert that I acquire actually loved account your blog posts.

    Anyway I will be subscribing in your augment
    or even I success you access consistently quickly.

  7. gdzie kupić prawo jazdy kat b

    The Advanced Guide To Driving License Purchase gdzie kupić prawo jazdy kat b

  8. what is the salt trick

    An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been doing a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me dinner because I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to discuss this topic here on your blog.

  9. reseller hosting companies in kenya

    Excellent article! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the good writing.

  10. ile kosztuje prawo jazdy na skuter?

    What NOT To Do In The Driving License A1 Industry ile kosztuje prawo jazdy na skuter?

  11. 주소모음

    How To Budget Southeast Asia Make Their Way?

    Be A Pro At It’s! 주소모음

  12. Buy Uk Car Driving License

    The Motive Behind Buy UK Driving Licence Without Exam In 2024 Is The Main Focus Of All People’s Attention. 2024 Buy Uk Car Driving License

  13. GI Benefits

    Pretty! This has been a really wonderful article. Thanks for providing this information.

  14. Ira

    What’s The Job Market For Single Person Buggy Professionals?
    single person buggy (Ira)

  15. Peggy

    See What Upvc Doors With Windows Tricks The Celebs Are Making Use Of upvc doors with windows (Peggy)

  16. gdzie kupić prawo jazdy legalnie

    An All-Inclusive List Of Buy Driving License Category A Online Dos And Don’ts
    gdzie kupić prawo jazdy legalnie

  17. 香港といえば

    Not will professionals should wrestle with carrying a bulky bag or searching for a place to store their keys or cellphone.

  18. جهاز كشف الذهب

    This site was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something that helped me. Thanks!

  19. pallets Near Me​

    The Reasons Large Pallets Is More Difficult Than You Imagine pallets Near Me​

  20. Doors Windows Uk

    You’ll Never Be Able To Figure Out This Doors Windows UK’s Secrets Doors Windows Uk

  21. socksnews sexy bf video

    Watch our most viewed super sexy bf video on socksnews.in. sexy bf video Watch now.

  22. Window And Door Company

    20 Amazing Quotes About Windows And Doors UK Window And Door Company

  23. Führerschein zum kaufen

    5 Buy A Driving License Lessons From The Professionals Führerschein zum kaufen

  24. himawari-21.com

    Here’s A Little Known Fact Regarding Sinatra Macaw For
    Sale Near Me harlequin macaw – himawari-21.com
    -

  25. 웹툰미리보기

    Men Scarves – Korean Style During The Past Year 웹툰미리보기

  26. javsafari.com

    Write more, thawts all I hae too say. Literally, it seems as though you elied on thhe vdeo to make your point.
    Yoou defiunitely knoow whbat youre talking about, wwhy
    throw away yoir intelligebce onn just posting videoss to yor site when you couod be giiving us something enlightening to read?

  27. 링크모음

    Great Vietnam Sites To Visit – Phu Quoc 링크모음

  28. Algo trading

    It’s difficult to find well-informed people for this topic, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks

  29. 하이오피주소

    Best Restaurant To Have A Christmas Party 하이오피주소

  30. Private psychiatrist Liverpool cost

    The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Private Psychiatrist Liverpool Cost Private psychiatrist Liverpool cost

  31. SEO TELEGRAM

    It’s nearly impossible to find well-informed people in this particular topic, however, you sound like you
    know what you’re talking about! Thanks

  32. シーン クーポンコード 使い方

    Labour shortages, diminishing rural populations and the Scottish Authorities accused of founding the second Highland Clearances.

  33. how to open youtube channel in mobile in tamil

    Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
    you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is wonderful,
    as well as the content!

  34. Deutscher füHrerschein kaufen

    Five Things You Don’t Know About Buy A Driving
    License Without An Exam Deutscher füHrerschein kaufen

  35. humanlove.Stream

    Guide To Window Door Company: The Intermediate Guide Towards
    Window Door Company window door company (humanlove.Stream)

  36. useful site

    Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering
    if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my
    comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as
    yours and I’m having problems finding one? Thanks a lot!

  37. blog here

    This piece of writing will help the internet visitors for setting up
    new webpage or even a weblog from start to end.

  38. Nagano Tonic reviews

    Peculiar article, totally what I wanted to find.

  39. Chestnut Fronted Macaw

    What’s The Job Market For Chestnut Fronted Macaw Professionals?
    Chestnut Fronted Macaw

  40. internationellt körkort Transportstyrelsen

    11 Ways To Fully Redesign Your Buy A C Driving License
    Online internationellt körkort Transportstyrelsen

  41. buy uk drivers License

    What’s The Job Market For Buy UK Drivers License Professionals Like?
    buy uk drivers License

  42. lose money

    I do not know whether it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing
    problems with your blog. It seems like some of the written text in your content are
    running off the screen. Can someone else please provide feedback and let
    me know if this is happening to them too? This may be a problem with my internet browser
    because I’ve had this happen before. Appreciate it

  43. rewriter

    You’ll Never Guess This Ai Article Rewriter’s Benefits rewriter

  44. kup prawo Jazdy

    The Buy A Driving License Awards: The Top, Worst, Or Weirdest Things We’ve
    Ever Seen kup prawo Jazdy

  45. NADA RV retirees value

    Southeast Financial Nashville
    131 Belle Forest Ciir #210,
    Nashville, TN 37221, United Տtates
    18669008949
    NADA RV retirees value

  46. Flowforce Max

    I appreciate the depth of research in this article. It’s both informative and engaging. Keep up the great work!

  47. machines For sex

    3 Ways The Bluetooth Fuck Machine Can Affect Your Life machines For sex

  48. App Controlled Adult Toys

    3 Ways The Adult Toy For Men Can Influence Your Life App Controlled Adult Toys

  49. Cellucare

    Very useful content! I found your tips practical and easy to apply. Thanks for sharing such valuable knowledge!

  50. prawo jazdy kat C

    What’s The Job Market For Buy A Category B Driving License Without
    An Exam Professionals? prawo jazdy kat C

Add a Comment