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Short film analysis: Paperman, 2012Title shown at the start of the film and positioned to the right of the man (George), as if it is standing next to him. The title looks like handwriting as if it’s been written on paper, linking in with the title. Mid shot used to show the man’s body and facial expression. Which highlights his significance as he is the first character you see in the film. It’s an animated film shown in soft black and white, maybe illustrating the time period of potentially 1980’s. It’s a Disney animated film so the audience will believe it is of high quality and a good narrative. Diegetic sound of the train going past and train station noises.

Long cut used still focusing on the man, however a piece of paper hits him and a woman (Meg) runs past. No cut from George to Meg so we can see George’s reaction to the paper and Meg’s entrance. It also adds light-heartedness and humour, to the narrative as it is fast paced and has lots of effective shots. Mise-en-scene of the train station showing George is waiting to go to work and so is Meg. Also the suit George is wearing shows he may work in an office, in an ordinary boring job. While Meg may work in an office too due to her smart clothes.

Mid shot of both the characters together, creating the idea that they should be together to the audience. Also we see the characters looking at each other hinting towards their relationship, and that they may like each other. Mise-en-scene of holding papers illustrating they are going to office jobs. There is still no cut from George emphasising that he is the main character in the film, and now the disruption to his life is Meg. The theme of paper is used as they both are holding some, and both get hit with each other’s paper, and find it humorous.

Shot reverse shot has been edited in for the first cut from the start. This highlights the different feelings each character is feeling and their reaction to the other persons action. The first mid shot shows George being shocked at the paper hitting Meg in the face. While the next shot shows George pulling the paper off Meg and her reaction to it. This adds humour as she is pulling a funny face and she then laughs when looking at the paper. The next shot is of George looking at Meg and then the paper, realising she has left a lipstick mark on it and laughs. The fact that Meg’s lipstick mark is red and the only colour in the film. Shows that it’s significant and maybe stands out from the rest of the film/George’s paperwork. Additionally throughout these shots and when Meg first appears in the scene, a soft harp music is introduces replaces the ordinary background noises of the train station. Illustrating that there is a change in the narrative and mood when Meg appears, representing her as a stereotypically feminine character. There is also the props of the paper and the lipstick mark linking in with the title of ‘Paperman’.

2 Jordon Clifton The long shot of George at the train station is used to highlight how he is now alone, and may have potentially missed his train as he was distracted by Meg. It also shows the setting of the train station and the city more clearly, giving the audience an idea of the area. Synchronous sound of the train bell ringing, and the movement of the train slowly moving away is also heard in the shot. A straight cut is then used from this shot to a mid-shot of George at work looking bored. Highlighting the change in scene and mood now that he isn’t around Meg.

Over the shoulder mid-shot of George looking up at his boss from a low angle is used. This is to highlight the power and authority his boss has over him, as well as creating an intimidating image of him. The boss is wearing a very smart suit and has straight serious features. Portraying him as the villain and obstacle within the narrative. There is no music only quiet office work background, and the diegetic sound of papers being slammed onto the desk.

A low angled mid-shot is then used to represent the unhappy mood George is in. Also matching what George is looking at, while emphasising the large amount of paperwork George has to do. A selected shot is also used to focus the audience’s attention to George as he is the main character, and he is in charge of doing all the paperwork. The props of the paperwork also briefly highlights what George’s job entails, and creates the impression that it’s stereotypically boring and uninteresting.

George then notices Meg in the opposite building as him and an over the shoulder shot is used. This is to keep George in the shot to show that he is directly looking at her, however we can see Meg and what she’s doing too. A selected shot is used in addition to the over the shoulder shot to direct the audience’s attention to Meg instead of George. This helps the audience to see its Meg and that George has seen her, as there is no dialogue to explain the narrative. The soft harmonious background music is also played when Meg is viewed.

The selected shot is then reversed as it shows George trying to wave to her from his building. The shot emphasises the distance between the two characters and George’s struggle to get her attention verbally. The mise-en-scene of the work building and the rooms, effectively illustrate they are both in a work/office environment representing middle class working people. Happy music still being played in the background to maybe portray Meg’s innocence and amiability to George, as she is being desired by George throughout the storyline.

Mid shot of the boss looking at George with a diegetic sound of him coughing. This shows his annoyance at George not doing his work and being distracting. He can be represented as the obstacle George will have to overcome to get Meg’s attention throughout the narrative. Straight cuts are used from the different moments in the film, showing a close up of George looking disappointed, to his boss telling him off. The soft music is abruptly cut off when the boss is shown, to show his seriousness and authority towards George and his actions.

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A high angled/fly on the wall shot is shown. Illustrating the mess around George’s desk, and the rest of his co-workers looking at him annoyed. A diegetic sound of the metal basket falling to the ground is heard and the music abruptly stops. Emphasising the interruption he has caused while making planes and not doing his work. The audience are then wondering if his boss has heard, and what will happen next. The same energetic music is not played again until George runs out of the office, indicating he quits his job and is going to find Meg. Music picks up the pace again.

Prop of paper being turned into a paper plane by George using a close up of the process. There are various different shots of the making of the plane, cut together creating the effect of a fast pace to show George’s urgency and hurriedness. The soft music starts up again when George gets the idea of turning his paperwork into planes, to show a plan being put into motion. The music is however faster and happier which indicates George’s mood and the concept of time passing, as he is trying to get her attention before she leaves the room.

A selected shot is used to focus the viewers attention to what George is aiming at, and Meg who is still sat there unaware. With this camera shot we can see the shape of the plane and the direction George is aiming it, creating anticipation as to if he can reach her. The camera angle is tilted as if in the position of George, allowing the audience to see what his perspective looks like. This combined with the smooth straight cuts creates continuity editing, and an engaging narrative.

Low angled shot of George watching the plane fall to the city streets from his building. Showing his failure to get the plane over to Meg, and the sheer high of where his office is. Maybe indicating his importance in his company, although he is choosing not to do work to get Meg’s attention. This could portray his personality as being dedicated when he wants something, while being dippy and clumsy as he failed to fly the plane. The setting could be somewhere like New York City or an American city, due to the busy streets and cars, showing the setting.

Various mid and close up shots are then edited together by straight cuts for the next few seconds. They show different things happening such as the plane flying into the building but not the window. Or flying into the room, but straight into the bin behind Meg. This creates humour as the audience see the amount of attempts George makes, and all the ways he has failed in a light heartedness way. The close up shots closely follow the plane giving the viewers a sense of hope, as they believe the plane is going to make it, however they are soon cut off. The shots are also well accompanied with the same fast pace music, which creates the sense of anticipation. Effectively building up to a final moment where the storyline changes, or a character moves from their position. The mise-en-scene of the room Meg is in, show it’s also an office. However it is given the impression that she may be being interviewed for a job. Due to her sitting on the opposite side of the desk from a man in a smart suit.

Straight cut editing technique is used once again to move from inside the office to outside the building. Showing the change of scene and creating continuity throughout the film. The camera angle is low showing a wide range of the location such as the amount of people, the traffic and the city streets. Also allowing the viewers to see George emerge from the building chasing after Meg. The fast paced music also matches the fast moving traffic and busy life of the city. Effectively portraying where the film is set, and demonstrating the stereotypical representation of American city life in that time.

The music suddenly stops once George emerges from the building.

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The music suddenly stops once George emerges from the building.

Genre The genre of the short film is animation, as the film is not a live-action piece. It shows cartoon drawn characters and

settings throughout that are animated by Disney. The genre is also short due to the film being short in duration, as it’s around 6 minutes long which is a typical conventions of short genres. As well as being a comedy, illustrated by shots

and actions of George and sometimes Meg. While being a romance as the topic of the film is the man chasing after the woman, and them falling in love. This is a typical convention of the romance genre as the male is seen to be chasing

after the woman, who is attractive and innocent. This short film features elements of other genres as the film has many different aspects of genres. Such as it’s a romance comedy, but is animated meaning there is an animated genre.

George is different from the norm as he is unconventional and clumsy, but determined to get Megs attention. The genre is aimed at young adults and adults, as they would understand the narrative and enjoy the romance. They would

also understand and appreciate the animation and the conventions of a Disney film, as they will have probably see Disney films before. The soundtrack creates the genre as its light hearted and easy to listen to, meaning it creates the

impression of romance and fun.

NarrativeThe narrative of the order of the films components are that George is bored and has a repetitive ordinary life. He then

meets Meg at the train station and likes her. He then realises he works opposite her at his work, and tries to get her attention by throwing paper planes into her work room. This shows the theme of paper and links in well with the title,

meaning there is a clever logic behind the narrative. The characters are then brought together by the paper planes and are reunited. Narrative techniques have also been used as there is a change in George’s life once Meg appears,

and then George starts doing bold things to meet her again. Characters are used as George is seen as the hero as he is trying to get the girl throughout the story. Meg is seen as the princess as she is seen to need to be saved by George.

While being attractive and a person of desire due to her appearance throughout. While the villain is George’s boss as he is seen to stop George from getting to Meg, and is an obstacle in the narrative. Also due to his appearance and

mise-en-scene of the smart suit and glasses, as well as his serious facial features/expressions. He is seen to have the most authority within the work place over his employees, and is intimidating to George as he is in charge.

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RepresentationA stereotypical bored office worker is represented in the short film as George, through the mise-en-scene of his work

cloths and setting of going to work by train. Also George’s facial expression of boredom conveys his lifestyle, and when he doesn’t flinch when the train whizzes past. This highlights how this is his daily routine and he has become

used to it. This is created to show how George’s life is ordinary and he may be bored with his job/life. Therefore when Meg appears and he seems to like her, the audience are instantly interested in how or if, she will change the story

and George’s life. Meg is represented to be the stereotypically feminine and pretty woman, as she is the only female we see in the film. This shows her significance in the narrative, as well as her lipstick mark and lips are shown to be red. However this is the only colour in the black and white animation. Demonstrating how she stands out, and the

moment the paper flew onto her face it caused a change in narrative. Due to Meg being less clumsy than George and being more sensible in the shots shown. Emphasises the dominant ideology that women behaved this way in the time period the film is set in. Showing that females and Meg, are represented as having expectations of them to be polite, sensible and lady like. Additionally, the office workers are seen to be ordinary, identical looing individuals in the work office scenes. This is represented by the shots used of having George dominantly in the shot, while the workers are unfocused or in the background. This highlights the little significance they have, but are there to represent an office environment, and the feel of sameness in George’s office. These representations of each gender and characters, are

represented by Disney and their choice of scenes and actions of George and Meg. Also by the narrative as this determines what the characters do and how they are being represented to the viewers. The purposes of these

representations are to create a stereotypical ideology of male and females and romance. Therefore viewers will expect to see certain conventions like the man gets the woman for instance. Setting up the expectations of the film, so when it does meet up to their expectations they will be satisfied. It’s also to add humour as George is seen to be smitten but determined throughout the film. The purpose is to gain an understanding of the main character and the secondary character at the start. Resulting in the audience creating a relationship with him and wanting him to get Meg’s attention. Meaning for the rest of the film there is a growing narrative and build up as to whether they will

meet each other again.

Ideology The messages that are being perpetuated about the genre are George’s determination and perseverance to get the

attention of and find Meg. It shows the ideology that if a man falls in love with a woman just by once glance. Then he will do whatever it takes to go out with her or win her over. It shows men in a positive way as they are seen to be caring and try hard to get something they want. However it could see women in a negative light or send negative

messages to the audience. As females could then be seen as an object or prize more than a human, therefore potentially dehumanising females. Although in this film she is seen to be a desirable but independent woman,

therefore showing her in a positive way. The messages being shown by the genre are comedy, and unique/creative ways to get someone’s attention. The humorous side of the narrative is the idea that George is trying to get Meg’s attention by turning his paperwork into paper aeroplanes, when he is meant to be doing his work. Additionally the fact that he keeps failing by ridiculous ways is entertaining to watch, as it creates a fun storyline. Furthermore, the dominant ideology is the romance between the characters and the idea that the man is trying to get the woman’s attention and ask her out. However there are obstacles George has to face and overcome to get to Meg, similar to

feature films narratives. This is demonstrated by the order of events and film’s narrative.

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Theorists/TheoriesIn terms of narrative theories Paperman links in well with Vladimir Propp’s narrative theory. As George is seen as the hero as he is the main character, who has a mission to undertake in return for a reward. With the hero traditionally

being male as George is. Meg is the heroine as she is the hero’s reward for succeeding in his mission, and traditionally the heroine is the princess and a female which Meg is. The boss is the blocker or the villain who seeks to the stop the hero from succeeding presenting himself as a threat. As well as causing problems for the hero which makes it more difficult for them to complete his quest. Clearly demonstrating how there are different character types who fulfil a particular purpose in the narrative. Another theory is Todorov’s narrative theory as Paperman demonstrates this

theory well through its narrative. The Equilibrium is George doing his normal daily routine at the train station, however Meg is the disruption as George likes her. The Crisis is George trying to get her attention and he keeps

failing, but then there is a resolution as the paper planes bring them both together. Finally there is a new equilibrium as George and Meg are reunited together and the crisis is resolved. Paperman follows this narrative theory with each different scene of the film, creating an interesting storyline for the audience to follow. Also having the disruption and the crisis leads the audience to want to watch, to find out how it will be resolved. The effect of Paperman fitting with these narrative theories put forward by different theorists, highlights how the film is well produced and directed. As well as being easy to watch and creating a unique narrative, with unconventional characters and a satisfying ending.