Paperman
Brief Summary:
This black and white animated short film called "Paperman" is about an office worker meeting the "girl of his dreams" on a suburban rail while patiently waiting for transportation to get to their workplace. Unfortunately, the encounter didn't last long for the woman had to leave first. The man convinced himself he won't ever see her again. Although, coincidentally he spots the woman just on the opposite side of the street in a building from his office in a skyscraper window. Determined to get her attention, he uses a fleet of paper airplanes as a way to try to communicate. When she leaves her office, the man abandons his: and races to go outside expecting to see her. Alas she was already gone. The man had lost hope, roaming down the street with a sulk. Eventually after a moment of grief, the man's paper plane inventions had came to life—forcing him to change directions. Whereas the lipstick stained plane flies off to guide the woman onto a train. In the end, leading them both toward the train station: where they had first met in the morning.
My Favourite Moment or Scene from The Short and why:
My favourite moment from the short has got to be the scene where the man desperately tries to get the phenomenal woman's attention by throwing paper airplanes across his office towards hers. That particular segment had caught my eyes due to the metaphor and message that I personally thought it had, on which I connected with. The reason behind my choice is by examining how determined the man was: he never once wanted to quit. Plane after plane, he kept attempting to send his message out there. This also indicates how love functions: it definitely takes a lot of effort and commitment. Indeed, until he had no more stacks of paper left he may have wanted to give up at a certain point, but the paper airplanes where there to reassure him, not to. You never know how close you are to success! Another reason why I found this scene interesting was when the man was throwing the paper airplanes across, I expected it to land towards the woman right away. However, it didn't go as I thought it did and that is what I love about films: plot twists. I like how the director of this short was always one step ahead of time.
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Several Aspects of the Film:
Based on watching the video: "Paperclip: The Idea" I had found myself wondering even more about how interesting the film's (Paperman) message is about. I came to a conclusion with the idea of how we cross paths with different people everyday. It's strange to think if we'll ever see them again.
I believe that is what the film of "Paperman" is trying to portrait. The small connection of when you meet someone, and when you look straight at them and they do the same: how important are they actually in your life? There's something about the glance. Where the connection was there for a second, but then leaves as one breaks eye contact first. How does destiny work to bring those back together?
Several aspects that I also found fascinating about the film is how the artwork is purposely laid out to be simple, but the certain details made the main character's stood out from the rest of the setting, including the other characters--due to personality differences, which made for the simplicity of the animation. For example the woman's lipstick was red. (a very strong vivid colour, and possibly symbolizing for love), and how the man is dressed way more differently from his coworkers explains how different and unique his characteristic traits are, including his behaviour: he just didn't seem like he belonged in his workplace. I also realized how adding different tints and shades of lighting, helps create this illusion of thinking that the film has more depth when the characters are flat.
Other particular feature about the film is:
I believe that is what the film of "Paperman" is trying to portrait. The small connection of when you meet someone, and when you look straight at them and they do the same: how important are they actually in your life? There's something about the glance. Where the connection was there for a second, but then leaves as one breaks eye contact first. How does destiny work to bring those back together?
Several aspects that I also found fascinating about the film is how the artwork is purposely laid out to be simple, but the certain details made the main character's stood out from the rest of the setting, including the other characters--due to personality differences, which made for the simplicity of the animation. For example the woman's lipstick was red. (a very strong vivid colour, and possibly symbolizing for love), and how the man is dressed way more differently from his coworkers explains how different and unique his characteristic traits are, including his behaviour: he just didn't seem like he belonged in his workplace. I also realized how adding different tints and shades of lighting, helps create this illusion of thinking that the film has more depth when the characters are flat.
Other particular feature about the film is:
- the use of sound: helps with the motion of the animation. Gradually intensifying the music, tells the viewers that the story is moving faster and the climax is approaching while when decreasing sound will tell the viewers that the story will move slower.
Title of the Short:
Based on my personal opinion of the title of the short, I feel that it can be renamed into something more captivating to the human eyes. "Paperman" doesn't really look appealing nor does it go well with the storyline. It sounds like a name you would give someone, having a title like that is a bit too common ground, plain, and quite straightforward. Usually a title is where you give the audience a small hint of what the movie is about but not entirely giving it away.
Although looking at it from a different prospective: a specific degree. I believe that the title fits the short perfectly. "Paperman" is a simple title that describes the basic artwork of the film "simple".
Although looking at it from a different prospective: a specific degree. I believe that the title fits the short perfectly. "Paperman" is a simple title that describes the basic artwork of the film "simple".
Animated Short in Terms of Awards, Techniques, Processes, etc.
Success of The Film and Plan:
- Disney will run the process of Paperman and summarize everything they learned to eventually make it a featured film
- Paperman techniques are labor-intensive due to the popularity and success of the audience's attention to the film
Techniques and Process:
- The character design of Paperman is relatively close to Disney's traditional works
- the animation characters are animated in CG
- "Meander" is the program they use to combine both 2D and 3D together. "A hybrid vector/raster-based drawing and animation system that gives artists an interactive way to craft the film." - Wikipedia
Awards:
- Won Oscar: Academy Award for Best Short Film (Animated)
- Won Annie: Best Animated Short Subject
- Won CinEuphoria: Best Animated Film - International Competition
- Nominated CinEuphoria for: Best Animated Character - International Competition (the main characters: George and Meg)
Behind the Scenes: Summary key points of "Short Story About Shorts"
- Walt Disney Studios was (Mickey Moue Shorts) - back then everyone liked shorts
- the shorts you can track the technological innovations:
- "Flowers and Trees 1932" - was the first color
- attempt different technology (opportunity to introduce something new)
- shorts only take months and are easier to make, than a feature film which takes years and are harder to complete
- instant gratification
- a powerful short is more impressive than a powerful feature