You most likely focused on something too much or an outside source woke you up (somebody making noise in your house or something). When the dreaming is forming in front of your eyes don't focus on any particular thing. You said you saw stick figures/chinese people. Don't focus on them, just imagine what else is going on and slightly focus on your breathing/whatever it is you decided on. You only have to stay a little bit conscious, enough so that you aren't completely knocked out.

Another thing which has worked well for me, personally, is thinking of the last dream you had. Say you woke up from a dream about playing basketball. Imagine the court, the people, and the ball just like it was in your previous dream. This way, you already have an image in your head and your brain is familiar with it. Plus, since you just dreamt about it, even if you do fall completely asleep you can usually notice something familiar about the dream and get away with a DILD.

Good luck!