Stick Man (2015) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Separated from his family by a series of mistaken uses, Stick Man endures a long journey before helping Santa and returning home.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Jog Away from Home

Stick Man lives in the family tree with his partner and three children. After Christmas morning, he goes out for a jog, but Dog mistakes him for an ordinary stick and carries him away.

Key Events

• Family Tree Home — Stick Man lives with his partner and three children in the family tree. Characters: Stick Man, Stick Lady & Others, Stick Girl (voice), Stick Toddler (voice), Pooh Bridge Boy / Stick Boy Location: Family tree
• Christmas Morning Jog — After Christmas morning, Stick Man goes out for a jog expecting to return. Characters: Stick Man Location: Near the family tree
• Dog Takes Stick Man — Dog mistakes Stick Man for a stick and carries him away to play fetch. Characters: Stick Man, Dog Location: Outdoors
• Escape and Homeward Journey — After getting free, Stick Man sets off toward the family tree. Characters: Stick Man Location: Outdoors
• River Game Misidentification — A girl mistakes Stick Man for a racing stick during a river game. Characters: Stick Man, Beach Girl (voice) Location: River

Lost to the River

After escaping Dog, Stick Man tries to return home but is mistaken for a racing stick in a river game. The current carries him downstream, past a frog and into a swan's nest.

Key Events

• River Game Misidentification — A girl mistakes Stick Man for a racing stick during a river game. Characters: Stick Man, Beach Girl (voice) Location: River
• Swept Downstream — The current carries Stick Man away, and he cannot swim back. Characters: Stick Man Location: River
• River Frog Encounter — The river carries Stick Man past a frog. Characters: Stick Man, Snail / Park-keeper / Swan Dad / Frog / Beach Dad / Crab / Cat Location: River
• Swan's Nest — A swan uses Stick Man as a twig for its nest, trapping him there. Characters: Stick Man, Snail / Park-keeper / Swan Dad / Frog / Beach Dad / Crab / Cat Location: Swan's nest
• Nest Abandoned — Once the nest is deserted, Stick Man drifts away. Characters: Stick Man Location: Swan's nest

Far from the Family Tree

Once the nest is deserted, Stick Man drifts out to sea and washes up on a distant beach. He is repeatedly treated as an object, including as a sandcastle mast, playthings, and a snowman's arm.

Key Events

• Carried Out to Sea — After leaving the nest, Stick Man drifts out to sea. Characters: Stick Man Location: Sea
• Washed onto Beach — The waves wash Stick Man onto a distant beach. Characters: Stick Man Location: Distant beach
• Sandcastle Mast — A family uses Stick Man as a mast for a sandcastle. Characters: Stick Man, Snail / Park-keeper / Swan Dad / Frog / Beach Dad / Crab / Cat Location: Beach
• Passed Among Playthings — After escaping the sandcastle, Stick Man is taken for a sword, a hook, and other playthings. Characters: Stick Man Location: Beach
• Snowman Arm — A boy uses Stick Man as an arm for a snowman. Characters: Stick Man, Beach Boy / Snowman Boy Location: Snowy outdoors
• Lonely and Exhausted — Cold, exhausted, and lonely, Stick Man fears he will never get home. Characters: Stick Man Location: Outdoors

Hope by the Fireplace

Cold, exhausted, and lonely, Stick Man fears he will never find his way home and falls asleep in a fireplace. When a man becomes stuck above the chimney, Stick Man recognizes him as Santa and helps free him.

Key Events

• Lonely and Exhausted — Cold, exhausted, and lonely, Stick Man fears he will never get home. Characters: Stick Man Location: Outdoors
• Sleep by the Fire — Stick Man falls asleep in a fireplace, where a cat notices him but cannot wake him. Characters: Stick Man, Snail / Park-keeper / Swan Dad / Frog / Beach Dad / Crab / Cat Location: Fireplace
• Man Stuck in Chimney — As Stick Man dreams of his family, a man becomes stuck above the chimney. Characters: Stick Man, Santa Location: Fireplace and chimney
• Santa Freed — Stick Man realizes the trapped man is Santa and helps free him. Characters: Stick Man, Santa Location: Fireplace and chimney

Home for Christmas

Grateful, Santa takes Stick Man along while delivering toys to sleeping children. At the final stop, Santa brings him back to the family tree, where Stick Man reunites with his family.

Key Events

• Toy Delivery Journey — Grateful, Santa takes Stick Man along to deliver toys to sleeping children. Characters: Stick Man, Santa Location: On Santa's delivery route
• Return to Family Tree — Santa brings Stick Man home, where he reveals himself and reunites with his family. Characters: Stick Man, Santa, Stick Lady & Others, Stick Girl (voice), Stick Toddler (voice), Pooh Bridge Boy / Stick Boy Location: Family tree

Story Breakdown

• Family Tree Life — Stick Man's home and family are established before his journey begins.
  • Family at Home — Stick Man lives with his stick lady love and their three children in the family tree.
  • Christmas Morning Jog — He leaves for a jog expecting to come back home.
• Dog's Fetch Game — Dog's mistaken idea of Stick Man starts the separation from home.
  • Mistaken for a Stick — Dog carries Stick Man away to play fetch.
  • Escape and Return — Stick Man gets free and sets off toward the family tree.
• River Detour — A river game sends Stick Man farther away from home.
  • Racing Stick Game — A girl mistakes him for a racing stick.
  • Swept Downstream — He cannot swim back and is carried along the river.
• Nest and Open Sea — Stick Man is used as nesting material before drifting out to sea.
  • Swan's Twig — A swan uses him as a twig in its nest.
  • Drifting Away — When the nest is deserted, he drifts out to sea.
• Beach and Snow — On land again, Stick Man is repeatedly mistaken for an object or plaything.
  • Sandcastle Mast — A family uses him as a mast for a sandcastle.
  • Snowman Arm — After other plaything uses, a boy makes him an arm for a snowman.
• Fireplace Rescue — At a low point in his journey, Stick Man encounters Santa in the fireplace.
  • Lonely by the Fire — Cold and exhausted, Stick Man fears he will never return home.
  • Santa Freed — Stick Man realizes who is stuck above the chimney and helps free him.
• Journey Home — Santa's gratitude gives Stick Man a way back to his family.
  • Toy Deliveries — Santa takes Stick Man along to deliver toys to sleeping children.
  • Family Reunion — Santa brings him to the family tree, where he reunites with his family.

Directed by

Daniel Snaddon, Jeroen Jaspaert

Key Cast

• Martin Freeman — Stick Man (voice)
• Hugh Bonneville — Santa (voice)
• Jennifer Saunders — Narrator (voice)
• Russell Tovey — Dog (voice)
• Sally Hawkins — Stick Lady & Others (voice)