Christopher Nolan doesn’t use detailed outlines.
Instead, he “draws shapes and diagrams and other structural things.”
Like this — the plot map Nolan used for Inception.
Here’s a breakdown:
Instead, he “draws shapes and diagrams and other structural things.”
Like this — the plot map Nolan used for Inception.
Here’s a breakdown:
In storytelling, the idea of structure is everywhere:
• 3 Act
• StoryGrid
• Hero’s Journey
But Nolan claims those restrict his creativity.
He prefers to think in ‘shapes’ rather than in hard rules.
• 3 Act
• StoryGrid
• Hero’s Journey
But Nolan claims those restrict his creativity.
He prefers to think in ‘shapes’ rather than in hard rules.
It reminds me of Kurt Vonnegut, who taught about the “shapes of stories” at Harvard and Case Western.
He broke down stories into ~8 unique shapes.
Here’s a great vid of Vonnegut talking about a few of them (h/t @RobbieCrab).
Gold:
He broke down stories into ~8 unique shapes.
Here’s a great vid of Vonnegut talking about a few of them (h/t @RobbieCrab).
Gold:
For Inception, look how closely Nolan’s plot map resembles Vonnegut’s “Man In Hole.”
The main character gets into trouble then gets out of it again and ends up better off for the experience.
But Nolan’s a genius — so he adds another layer to the “shape…”
The main character gets into trouble then gets out of it again and ends up better off for the experience.
But Nolan’s a genius — so he adds another layer to the “shape…”
As Cobb moves closer to Limbo, he travels “down” the plot map, closer and closer to disaster.
Then he fights his way back “up” to reality.
Nolan’s plot map isn’t just the shape of his story,
It’s also how he designed the world — dreams within dreams.
Then he fights his way back “up” to reality.
Nolan’s plot map isn’t just the shape of his story,
It’s also how he designed the world — dreams within dreams.
Inception is one of the most complex mainstream movies ever, runs 2.5 hours, and made ~$835B at the box office.
Yet Christopher Nolan planned the entire story on a one page map.
That’s incredible.
Yet Christopher Nolan planned the entire story on a one page map.
That’s incredible.
This book goes deep into Nolan’s ideas on story, movies, and creativity in general.
It’s a great read, and where the plot map comes from.
amazon.com
It’s a great read, and where the plot map comes from.
amazon.com
I hope you enjoyed that!
I talk about storytelling 2-3x a week.
Insights from my work and studying the work of others.
Follow @nathanbaugh27 for more ideas like this.
I talk about storytelling 2-3x a week.
Insights from my work and studying the work of others.
Follow @nathanbaugh27 for more ideas like this.
~$835M 🫠
I share practical tips and ideas on storytelling with over 65,000 readers each Saturday morning.
If storytelling is a skill you wanna get better at, you might like it too.
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If storytelling is a skill you wanna get better at, you might like it too.
Sign up here (it's free): worldbuilders.ai
I love finding outlines like this. Great way to get a glimpse into how someone thinks.
Three more:
1. Normal Mailer - Harlot's Ghost
2. JK Rowling - Order of the Phoenix
3. Henry Miller - Tropic of Capricorn
Three more:
1. Normal Mailer - Harlot's Ghost
2. JK Rowling - Order of the Phoenix
3. Henry Miller - Tropic of Capricorn
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