Alejandra Diaz

Colombian by origin, Londoner by adoption. Proudly part of @CamdenCouncil. Views my own - all I have indeed #PolicyDesign #DesignThinking

[Nathan Baugh @nathanbaugh27]

Christopher Nolan doesn’t write detailed outlines.

Instead, he “draws shapes and diagrams and other structural things” to keep the story on track.

Like this, the plot map Nolan used for Inception.

Let me explain...

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.

It reminds me of Kurt Vonnegut, who taught about the “shapes of stories” at Harvard.

Kurt broke down all stories into 8 unique shapes.

The engineer in me loves this view of stories. Instead of vague, hard-to-explain ideas, narrative arcs become data points you can plot.

Nolan’s plot map resembles Vonnegut’s “Man In Hole” story 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 layers on even more.

***

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.

***

Inception is one of the most complex mainstream movies ever, runs 2.5 hours, and made ~$835M at the box office.

Yet Christopher Nolan fits the entire arc on a one page map.

That’s brilliant.

So, next time you tell a story, give the "shape" idea a try. It may come more naturally than you expect.

[Alejandra Diaz @AlejaDC]

Over the coming days our Strategy & Design team will be advertising some new roles. If you'd like to have a chat about them, meet the team and find our more about what's like to work @CamdenCouncil join one of our Open House events (online) https://t.co/hGsz9b6WoV

[Alejandra Diaz @AlejaDC]

@TomCrewe1 Big congratulations 👏🏼🎉 you and your storytelling totally deserve it

[Alejandra Diaz @AlejaDC]

@remybcr Which one sounds posh? That's your answer

[Alejandra Diaz @AlejaDC]

@PhoebeTickell Another one for your list although I'm not sure how much of it remains underground - the river Peck https://t.co/YWMVlF4Sal

[Alejandra Diaz @AlejaDC]

The analogy around the challenge of how we are trying to change structures that mirror more like an abacus plugged to a computer and trying to implement with iOS software rings so true and stuck with me 🖥️💻

[Alejandra Diaz @AlejaDC]

It's only 10.30 and already v interesting reflections have come up about the power in our hands to change the paradigm for public service: how we engage/shift old structures and trust our communities. Great panel conversation at #strongerthings @wearenewlocal

[Alejandra Diaz @AlejaDC]

People of South London, roll up! roll up! 📣 find out more about this project tomorrow at the Nunhead Cemetery open day in support of @WHYCNunhead, we will be amongst renowned historical South London societies and the Morris dancers

[Nunhead FC @Nunhead1888]

Tomorrow we'll be running our very own stall at Nunhead Cemetery Open Day raising funds for the heroes @WHYCNunhead.

Come and find us, say hello, and show your support for the greatest football club your friends have never heard of 👋

[James Anderson @JamesAnderson]

This is the leading edge of city innovation--along with insights on how #Bogota made it happen.

Keys to success? The internal innovation & data teams @ClaudiaLopez strengthened to deliver breakthrough action.

Check it out 👇👇👇 https://t.co/GGr9yqueFW

[Alejandra Diaz @AlejaDC]

@rsejarman Massive congratulations! Me alegra mucho por ti 💖

[Alejandra Diaz @AlejaDC]

@Martin_Jordan Your poster design has always been on point 👌

[Alejandra Diaz @AlejaDC]

@TomCrewe1 @GrantaMag @_alicezoo Massive congrats! Also, good to capture candid scenes like this one, in years to come you will look back and reflect on how much (or how little) your path might have changed 👏🏼

[Alejandra Diaz @AlejaDC]

@Martin_Jordan This is great! Thank you so much for being generous and sharing with the community, I really 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 that ❤️

[Alejandra Diaz @AlejaDC]

@remybcr We should go to this: https://t.co/rmrGMM6qbq

[Vicky Teinaki @vickytnz]

The CDDO has released a data maturity model for gov https://t.co/0rVkMAd7W9

[Alejandra Diaz @AlejaDC]

@remybcr 'A couple of pounds' is different to 'a couple of quid'