Discover Mike Bell’s unique maps—charting albums, plots, and events in a transit-inspired style.

Film Plot Maps: Seeing Cinema on the (Subway) Line

When I first tried mapping a film plot (to see if it could be done), I half‑expected the result to be a mess of tangled arcs and loose ends. Somehow it wasn’t. The characters lined up like stations, scenes flowed like services, and the big twists… well, they became dramatic junctions that forced my imaginary passengers to change trains. That early experiment, probably too rough to hang on a wall, sparked the collection you’re browsing today.

The Shining plot map poster mapping the psychological unraveling through the movie's timeline.

What Is a Film Plot Map?

Think of the London Underground diagram. Now swap the Circle line for Chief Brody’s shark‑shadowed journey, or the Victoria line for Marty McFly’s hop through 1955. Each coloured “line” is a main character or narrative thread. Each “station” marks a scene or turning point. Taken together, the network reveals how stories weave, diverge, and (sometimes) collide in a finale that still makes your heart skip a beat.

Titles on the Wall

I’ve grouped the prints into loose genres so you can dive straight into what you love:

That list will grow. I’m always scribbling notes during late‑night re‑watches, so if your personal favourite isn’t here yet, chances are it’s in the sketchbook.

Why Bother Mapping at All?

Because films are dense, blink and you miss a clue, or a character’s tiny choice that changes everything. On a map, the whole route stays visible. You can trace parallel arcs—say, Deckard’s slow awakening against Roy Batty’s frantic countdown—or spot how Spielberg paces every false alarm in *Jaws.* Sometimes I even notice story beats I’d forgotten existed. It’s a nerdy thrill, but it’s also a tidy learning tool for writers, teachers, and anyone curious about structure.

A Few Details Film Fans Usually Ask Me

  • Sizes & Paper: Standard A3, A2 and A1 on superior matte papers with fade-free inks.
  • Framing: Prints ship unframed to keep costs down, but I include a guide to off‑the‑shelf frames that match perfectly.
  • Shipping: Free UK delivery, free worldwide shipping. Orders go out twice a week—Tuesday and Friday, because, honestly, that’s when I can cycle to the post office.
  • Limited Editions: Occasionally, I try an aluminium finish. *The Shining* got that treatment first, mainly because the Overlook’s corridors look eerily good on metal.

Ready to Jump On‑Board?

If the idea of “riding” your favourite story makes you grin - or if you need a gift that isn’t another generic poster - head over to the full Film Plot Maps collection. Browse, zoom, get lost. And if you notice I’ve missed a key interchange, drop me a note; maps, like films, benefit from re‑cuts.

Thanks for indulging this slightly obsessive way of seeing movies. The next screening (or, instead, the next service) departs whenever you’re ready. I’ll keep the lines open.

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ABOUT MIKE BELL - TUBE MAP DESIGNER

Mike Bell Maps is my growing collection of tube map art prints that reimagine music, film, and culture through the visual language of underground maps. Each design presents albums in order, film plots, and complex creative histories as clear, engaging tube-style timelines created for fans who value depth and detail.

David Bowie art prints: Unique music map designs perfect for fans of music, records, and the artist, available as a distinctive gift.

RESEARCH-LED DESIGN

Every artwork is built on original research and careful verification. Albums become stations. Musicians, characters, and ideas form connecting lines. This approach turns detailed information into visual storytelling, creating art prints that bring clarity and meaning to subjects people already care about.

MY STORY

My background is rooted in live sound and large-scale show design, working across music and cultural events for many years. That experience shaped how I understand collaboration, creative evolution, and structure. During lockdown, I applied that knowledge to mapping music and films, developing underground maps that balance accuracy, design, and narrative.

THE ARTWORK

Each print is produced to archival standards and designed to last. These are not novelty posters. They are considered art prints created for people who value music history, film structure, and informed design. They make thoughtful gifts for fans who want something personal, researched, and meaningful.

The Shining film plot lines and character tube map art print, showing every scene as a station and every character as a tube line.

Mike Bell Maps is where research-led tube maps become art prints, and where stories worth knowing are mapped clearly, carefully, and beautifully.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What are Mike Bell’s tube map art prints?

A: My prints utilise an advanced visual language based on the logic of underground maps to organise complex histories. By moving beyond basic cartography, I transform albums into "stations" and musicians or themes into "connecting lines." This allows fans to explore hundreds of data points - from session musician credits to chronological collaborations - within a single, intuitive visual system.

Q: How do these maps differ from standard music or tube posters?

A: The primary difference is information density and quality. While standard posters are often low-resolution decorative pieces on thin paper (135-170gsm), my prints are research-led discographies printed on archival-grade, 305gsm+ heavyweight giclée paper. They are designed to be "read" like a book, rewarding deep curiosity with discoveries not found in mass-produced merchandise.

Q: How is the accuracy of the research verified?

A: Accuracy is the core of my design process. Every map is synthesised from primary sources, including official liner notes, session archives, musician interviews, and verified fan databases. By incorporating musician inputs and fact-checking against trusted archives, I ensure that each map is a historically accurate record of the subject’s career.

Q: What subjects are available in the collection?

A: The collection spans a wide range of cultural histories, including music discographies, film plots, politics, and Formula One. Each map focuses on a single narrative, presenting the whole "story" of a subject - such as the evolution of a band or the timeline of a sport- in a clear, high-density visual format.

Q: Are these prints produced sustainably?

A: Yes. I prioritise a carbon-neutral workflow by producing prints locally to the buyer to reduce the shipping footprint. I use sustainable wood frames and archival materials designed for 100+ years of colour stability, ensuring the art is a lasting investment rather than disposable décor.

Q: Why do these maps make the best gifts for music and film fans?

A: Unlike generic posters, these are bespoke cultural maps that celebrate a fan's deep knowledge. Because they are research-led and visually unique (featuring narratives not seen elsewhere), they offer a sophisticated, gallery-quality alternative for those who value the "deep dive" into their favourite artist or film.