Conclave Screenwriter Oscar Nod

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Post on Jan 24, 2025

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Conclave Screenwriter Oscar Nod: A Deep Dive into the Mind of a Master

Hey everyone, let's talk about Oscar Nod. You know, the guy behind Conclave? That movie blew me away. Seriously, the storytelling, the pacing...it was chef's kiss. I've been obsessed with screenwriting for years, and I'm always looking for ways to improve my own craft. So when I heard Oscar Nod was doing a Q&A, I jumped at the chance. And lemme tell you, it was a masterclass in screenwriting.

The Power of Subtlety in Conclave's Script

One thing that really stuck with me was his discussion about subtlety. He said, and I'm paraphrasing here, that "subtlety isn't about being vague; it's about letting the audience piece things together." That's something I've struggled with. I tend to over-explain things in my scripts. I think I'm being clear, but I end up bogging down the pace and losing the audience.

I remember one script I wrote, a low-budget horror movie – a real stinker, to be honest. I practically spoon-fed the audience every single detail about the monster's backstory. It was like, "Oh, and by the way, the monster's name is Grug, and he hates Tuesdays, and his grandma was a witch," you know? It was clunky and incredibly boring. Total bomb. People literally walked out.

Oscar's point about subtlety completely changed my perspective. He emphasized how Conclave built suspense through implication, suggestion, and cleverly placed visual cues. He talked about letting the audience do some of the work. It’s about creating an atmosphere, giving the audience just enough information to fuel their own imagination. The best horror movies let you imagine the worst possible things happening, way more effectively than any amount of graphic detail.

Character Development: More Than Just Dialogue

Another major takeaway from Oscar's Q&A was his approach to character development. He talked about showing, not telling. He uses small, seemingly insignificant details to reveal character traits in his script. A nervous tic, a particular way of holding a coffee cup, a certain shade of lipstick. This is far more effective and memorable than saying: “Sarah is nervous. Sarah likes coffee.”

It’s something I personally need to implement. I often rely heavily on dialogue to explain my characters’ motivations and backstories. It's like I'm afraid the audience won't understand them otherwise. But Oscar's words really hit home. It's not about telling the audience who your character is; it's about showing them through their actions and interactions. Conclave masterfully demonstrated this.

Structuring the Narrative: The Conclave Approach

The structure of Conclave is another thing I found fascinating. Oscar discussed how the non-linear timeline enhances the mystery and intrigue. The way he weaves together different points in time was brilliant. It felt complex but also extremely effective in keeping the audience engaged. I personally tried to recreate this in my own script. It didn't go perfectly.

I tried to write a screenplay with multiple timelines, interweaving past and present. I thought it would be really cool and suspenseful. Turns out, it was incredibly confusing. The pacing was all over the place, and I think I lost my audience completely before the halfway point. I needed to work on a stronger central plotline to hold everything together. Conclave has a strong, central theme linking all the timelines. It's seamless. Mine…not so much. Live and learn, right?

Final Thoughts: Learning from the Master

Oscar Nod's insight into the screenwriting process is something I'll be carrying with me for a long time. His discussion on subtlety, character development, and narrative structure provided invaluable lessons for my own work. The way he structured Conclave, the film's subtle power, its character depth – it's all a masterclass in cinematic storytelling. He's shown that less is often more. And that’s advice any screenwriter, no matter their experience level, can truly benefit from. If you get a chance to study his work, do it. You won't regret it.