Lotte Reiniger

German film director and the most prominent pioneer of silhouette animation. Most subsequent makers of animation have more than likely been inspired by Lotte Rieniger but she’s mainly a big influence for Bruno J. Bottge.

The adventures of Prince Achmed was the first fully animated in the history of the cinema and was created between 1923 and 1926. Since this she has made over 40 films using the basic, simple silhouette technique. She first thinks of an idea and the she will do various designs for the characters, this will then go on to create her story board which will then show the sequences which will be broken down further to create the movements of the figure.


She always been fascinated by the magic of the fairy tale to which she brings into her work which she includes her own interpretation.

After she has designed her characters, she will then go on to create them piece by piece using black card and scissors. The number of pieces that are required depends on the movement of the character. She will then create small holes in the joins to attach the joints by using small pieces of wire. The wire hinges are tied so they are able to stand the constant movement that will occur throughout filming and not ware away. Rieniger will then roll out the figure to ensure it’s completely flat. When she is finished she ensures the figures flexibility has almost human-like characteristics. Rieniger then puts the figure on a light box and moves it a fraction but takes pictures after every movement.