If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off. If it’s not going to be fired, it shouldn’t be hanging there.
-Anton Chekhov
If you want to be a better filmmaker, it’s worth watching this clever video essay by Rishi Kaneria. Delving into some absolute classics, Kaneria has cut together a stunning piece about the use of props in cinema, showing just how powerful they can be, and why they matter so much when it comes to storytelling.