The POWER of Scissors... and Innovation! CUT!

Greenwillow Press/HarperCollins 2023

 Author C. E. Winters and illustrator Matt Schu have produced and directed a cinematic picture book that would win an Oscar if it were an actual film. CUT! How Lotte Reiniger and a Pair of Scissors Revolutionized Animation provides a revolutionary revelation of a woman who turned a childhood fascination into a career and transformed the film industry. In her early life in Germany, movies were a new phenomena, but  SCHERENSCHNITTE ("scissor cuts") was a time-honored talent. We know these best throughnow-seldom-used silhouette cutting profiles of young children. My siblings and I had them done, and artists at fairs could complete them quickly for a minimal payment. 

These examples make it clear that actual talent in this complex skill offers options to reveal dress and expressions, settings, actions, and more. Young Lotte Reiniger knew nothing about making films but understood this art as well as she did storytelling. Her imagination and innovative analytics inspired her to create silhouette shadow puppetry.

She paired these skills with ambition to learn more-- in lectures, acting school, and networking. She made her way into films through academic contacts to create silhouette/shadow versions of animals, setting details, and other secondary specialized film and lighting techniques.

Along the way and across the years of experience her expertise and respect from important folks in the film industry led them to offer her opportunities to make feature length silhouette films. This was a at time when women were not simply a minority but nearly nonexistent in the industry. These were for fully executed films without live actors, through stop action, lighting, and animation techniques. Lotte Reiniger is considered the industry innovator in storyboarding and animation, despite many assuming that  designation belongs to Walt Disney. He did, in fact, use many of her techniques but his work followed hers. 

The author note and other back matter provide excellent details to extend this nonfiction depiction into further study and investigation by curious kids (and adults). The illustrator's work is superb in portraying this entire biographic profile through a style that combines silhouette cuttings with more conventional picture book art. Both front and back end papers are stark solid black. Interior spreads feature black and white backgrounds and sharp angles to suggest the lights and shadows that are inherent to this film art. 

I have no doubt that readers of this book, young or old, may feel equal parts informed and inspired. As the author punned, it brings this notable, history-making woman out of the shadows and into the light. It also presents intriguing details and examples of the intricate art of silhouette animation in ways that made me eager to find some black paper and small sharp scissors. I hope some readers will check out this book and let us know if you give SCHERENSCHNITTE a try!