The Chair Company Demonstrates This Simple Writing Rule in Every Scene

Introduction

Every great show teaches writers something about storytelling. HBO’s dark comedy The Chair Company is no exception. Hidden beneath its absurd humour and sharp satire lies a masterclass in one of the simplest yet most powerful screenwriting rules: “Start late, leave early.”

Let’s dive into how this show demonstrates that rule in every scene — and why applying it can instantly improve your writing.

What Is “Start Late, Leave Early”?

This golden rule of screenwriting means:

Start the scene as close as possible to the moment of conflict or change.

Leave the scene as soon as its dramatic purpose is achieved.

No filler. No unnecessary introductions or goodbyes. Just pure narrative energy.
How ‘The Chair Company’ Uses It

Each episode of The Chair Company wastes no time. The show:

Opens scenes mid-action or mid-conversation.

Ends right after a revelation, twist, or punchline.

Avoids long transitions or drawn-out explanations.

For instance, instead of showing Ron entering his office, making coffee, and greeting co-workers, we jump straight to him mid-argument or reacting to something strange. It’s fast, funny, and engaging.
Why This Rule Works

It keeps pacing tight — no dull moments.

It heightens engagement — viewers are thrust into conflict immediately.

It respects the audience’s intelligence — no need to spell everything out.

It mirrors real life — we rarely experience neat beginnings and endings.
Practical Example

Slow Scene:
Ron walks in, sits down, sighs, answers a call, and chats about his weekend.

Tight Scene:
Phone rings. Ron answers, mid-panic:

“What do you mean the chairs are missing?”

That’s the difference between losing attention and creating tension.
Lessons for Writers

Here’s how you can apply this principle:

Trim the fat. Cut setup that doesn’t reveal character or drive plot.

Jump into conflict. Start where tension begins.

End on a beat. Once the goal of a scene is met, move on.

Show purpose. Every scene must change something — a decision, emotion, or piece of knowledge.
Balancing Pace and Emotion

While this rule keeps your story sharp, don’t cut emotional depth. Some moments deserve breathing space — like grief, revelation, or triumph. The trick is to know when to linger and why.
How Viewers Feel the Impact

By entering late and exiting early, scenes feel:

Energetic: Each one carries momentum into the next.

Unpredictable: You never know where the story will start or end.

Authentic: Real life doesn’t come with introductions — it just happens.

That’s exactly what makes The Chair Company so gripping — its rhythm feels alive.
The Psychology Behind It

Audiences crave information gaps. When a scene starts late, viewers instinctively lean in, asking:

“What’s going on?”

“What happened before this?”

“What’s about to happen next?”

That curiosity keeps them hooked.
Avoiding Common Mistakes

Writers often fall into these traps:

Starting with long exposition or greetings. 

Ending with unnecessary summaries.

Dragging scenes past their emotional peak.

Remember: once the purpose is achieved, cut to the next beat.
Adapting the Rule Across Genres

Comedy: Jump straight to the punchline setup.

Thriller: Drop readers into the crisis.

Drama: Focus on emotional confrontation, not lead-in.

Romance: Skip small talk; show the spark.
Behind the Show’s Writing Success

Writers of The Chair Company follow this rhythm religiously. Every moment either:

Advances the plot,

Reveals character, 

Or lands a laugh.

That’s storytelling discipline at its best.
How You Can Practise This Rule 
Try this exercise:

Write a full scene.

Cut the first two lines and the last two lines.