Lotte lives
Bring your own real-life story into a unique handcrafted animation
At Lotte Lives, we bring people's meaningful real stories to life — frame by frame — using traditional stop-motion techniques and real, tangible materials. From heartfelt gifts to brand storytelling, each animation is made by hand and made to last.Perfect for:
- Personal Gifts A one-of-a-kind keepsake for someone you love.
- Brand Storytelling: Share your story with a handcrafted visual voice.Each piece is 100% Handcrafted, 100% Emotionally resonant, and 100% Yours.
Scroll down - Stories await ↓
A personal collaboration made with care and dedication
At Lotte Lives, we bring the art of stop-motion — once reserved for cinema — into the hands of real people. Inspired by the pioneering spirit of Lotte Reiniger, we craft each piece with timeless techniques and a deep respect for your voice.Each animation is a personal collaboration: a story told through paper, fabric, glass, light, and time. No templates. No algorithms. Just an artistic recipe made of handmade details and human imperfections, shaped with care — one frame, one feeling at a time.Imagine a studio not serving the film industry, but people. At Lotte Lives, the scripts aren’t invented — they’re lived. Your memories, your voice, your real story becomes the heart of a handcrafted work of art, ready to be shared with the world.Lotte Lives is for people and brands who value craftsmanship, slowness, and soul over speed and automation. We don’t create for festivals, trends, or the spotlight — we create for one person, one brand, one voice at a time. And when your story is finished, it’s entirely yours: the frames, the feeling, the freedom to share it wherever and however you choose. We’re here to bring it to life — not to keep it.Because your story deserves more than a filter.It deserves to be felt.
Personal Gifts:
For those who cherish unique, emotionally resonant keepsakes:Anniversaries & Weddings:
Celebrate love stories with custom animations of your journey.Birthdays & Milestones:
Turn memories into magical motion (e.g., a child’s growth, a graduation).Proposals & Love Letters:
Surprise your partner with a one-of-a-kind declaration.Memorials:
Honor loved ones with a tender animated tribute.Holiday Gifts:
Give the unforgettable (Christmas, Mother’s Day, etc.).
Brands & Creators:Small Shops (Organic, Eco-Friendly, Artisan):
Showcase your products’ handmade essence.Sustainable Brands:
Highlight your process (e.g., farm-to-table in motion).Local Cafés/Boutiques:
Animate your origin story or seasonal menus.Authors & Musicians & Designers:
Bring book characters or album art to life.Content Creators:
Stand out with stop-motion intros/outros.Institutions & Museums
Show your art works and collections in a unique way.
portfolio
Mirandú
Story delivered by Miranda's mother:
"I’d love an animation of Miranda gently tending to her flowers—but honestly, she’s still learning not to squish them when she gets excited. Could you capture that moment of hesitation when she pulls her hand back? (attached photo!), and I’d love to see her dancing with them. Maybe I appear in the film hugging her or dancing as well. This’ll be our gentle reminder to ‘be kind to growing things.’"
selected pack: complex animation
delivered in 9 days to Jimena Croceri (@jimenacroceri) Buenos Aires
the night we found Oscar
Story delivered by Remy's father:
"Our kids still talk about the night they dug Oscar out of the snowbank. Could you animate Remy’s frozen mittens cradling him, with Oscar’s tail barely wagging? And—this is cheesy—but maybe add a little ‘puff’ of breath in the cold air when he licks Remy’s cheek? We want to frame the still of that moment for the kids’ room."
selected pack: complex animation (1:54 mins)
delivered in 14 days to Hester Gerber, Switzerland
baby zafira
Story delivered by Zafira's father:
"... my beloved princess came to this world last month and we cannot be happier. I want to surprise my wife with this special moment. I will send you some photos of the bedroom we prepared for our Zafira. And if possible, the moment my wife plays with her in that rocking chair? It sounds dramatic and rosa, but it’s our favorite family moment...."
selected pack: short animation
delivered in 5 days to Ariel Sosa (@arielmsosa) Manta, Ecuador.
ruben and ana
Story delivered by Ana:
"... Ruben and I have been married for 56 years. That's a long time! For our story we don’t need realistic faces—just our silhouettes. Perhaps a small circle around like a portrait?. Just that, a simple and quiet hour we’ve shared since we were 25."
selected pack: short animation
Delivered in 6 days to Ana Figueroa. Buenos Aires
katja
Story delivered by Katja:
"I want to animate that night in the abandoned house by the Sava River where my two friends and I danced to Russian Gothic doom punk until sunrise. I remember there was a bathtub there and the house looked creepy—Alina did heavy drugs but I just had some vodka. Somehow we ended up half naked dancing like crazy dolls, Ira spinning until she knocked over a candle (we barely avoided setting the curtains on fire!). Could you capture all that or at least part of this?"
selected pack: Short Animation (45s)
delivered in 6 days to Katja Stojanovič, Belgrade, Serbia
Stay Updated! ↑ Every week we will be uploading magic stories from new clients.
Request yours ↓
Stories in the Making
The dance of the fungies
Zuripliz
An eco-friendly mushroom farm located in Zürich, Switzerland. Process details will be uploaded soon. Stay updated!
selected pack: Premium animation
Will be deliver in 14/16 days to Zuripliz (@zurpliz). Zürich
Merlina the fairy
Story delivered by Merlina:
"I’ve written this dark fairy tale where my cat Nimbus transforms into a monster to guard me from ‘forest shadows’ (aka my anxiety). Can you make his fur ripple like ink spreading, with glowing eyes? But keep it weirdly cute—he’s still a house cat who’d rather nap than fight. Think: Studio Ghibli meets Tim Burton, but if they were broke and used recycled paper."
selected pack: Complex animation
Will be deliver in 14/16 days to Merlina Famularo (@merlinafamularo_). Buenos Aires
Cinema Sil Plaz
Cinema Sil Plaz
An independent cinema located in the town of Ilanz, Switzerland. Process details will be uploaded soon. Stay updated!
selected pack: Premium animation
Will be deliver in 18/20 days to Fadri Cadonau (@cinemasilplaz). Illanz.
How do I request
my personalised animation?
Handcrafted with care, delivered in 5–30 days (depending on complexity).
Initial Consultation: Share your story via WhatsApp, and we’ll guide you through the creative journey. Pro tip: Send us photos or videos for inspiration!
Storyboard & Design: We create initial sketches to define the aesthetic of the characters, backgrounds, and narrative script, based on the story and visual references provided.
Handmade Animation: We create the stop-motion animation 100% by hand, using various sets (multiplane cameras) designed by myself with recyclable materials.
Editing & Delivery: We add music, SFX, and polish the final video. Deliver in any format (4K, GIF, or Instagram-ready).+ certificate of authenticity (validating its uniqueness) with full reproduction rights granted to the buyer.
Payments: Payment Terms: We keep it simple and risk-free for you: 1-No upfront deposits: You only pay after approving your video. 2-Preview snippet: – We’ll send a short clip for your review before payment. 3-Secure payment: – Once approved, pay via Wise or bank transfer. 4-Final delivery: – Receive your video in multiple formats (MP4, GIF, social media-ready) after payment.
Optional: Physical Keepsake: In addition to the animated film, we offer a frame with the cut-outs used in your animation (delivery included in Premium Pack).
Choose your perfect package
and bring your unique story to Life
Exclusive Launch Discounts
(20% OFF the first 10 animations)
Bonus:
Behind-the-scenes video included!
Special Offer ends:
May 15th
Short
Animation
30s/1m
P: $250 $200
B: $450 $360
P. for private use (individuals). B. business (brands). *Business pricing includes commercial usage rights and priority support.
Stop-motion animation
(Black & White)
Delivered from 5 to 7 days
2 articulated characters
1 scenic background
Editing with music and basic effects
Delivery in .mov or MP4 format for social media
2 material revisions
Packaging (optional) Framed backgrounds and characters + delivery: with additional cost (120 USD)
complex animation
30s/3 m
P: $400 $320
B: $750 $600
P. for private use (individuals). B. business (brands). *Business pricing includes commercial usage rights and priority support.
Stop-motion animation
(Black & White and Colour)
Delivered from 7 to 15 days
3 articulated characters
2 scenic backgrounds
Editing with sound effects and visual narrative
Voice-over narration (optional)
5 material revisions
Packaging (optional) Framed backgrounds and characters + delivery: with additional cost (120 USD)
Premium animation
30s/5m
P: $600 $480
B: $1100 $880
P. for private use (individuals). B. business (brands). *Business pricing includes commercial usage rights and priority support.
Stop-motion animation
(Black & White and Colour)
Delivered from 15 to 30 days
Unlimited articulated characters and scenic backgrounds
Editing with advanced effects and professional sound
Voice-over narration included (if required)
unlimited material revisions
Delivery in high resolution format and for social media
Includes packaging (framed characters and backgrounds) with no extra delivery costs.
💳 Secure International PaymentWe offer secure payment options in EUR, USD, and other major currencies via: Wise or Bank account in Spain (for European clients) Please contact us via WhatsApp to receive your personalised payment details.
animation process
Characters and scenarios
CUT-OUTS DESIGNED BY HAND, FRAME BY FRAME
After our consultation, we transform your photos and memories into articulated paper characters and immersive scenarios. Every element—from backgrounds to special effects—is sketched, cut, and hand-painted to match your story’s essence."It’s not just animation; it’s a tactile heirloom."
... and the magic happens!
12+ HOURS OF HANDMADE MAGIC PER ANIMATION
Using custom-built multiplane cameras (from recycled materials), we animate without digital shortcuts. Techniques include:- Lighting: Handmade filters for mood
- Transitions: Silk-screen vintage textures
- Movement: Physical "wind" with fans"Your story moves—literally—because we move it."
testimonials
Jimena Croceri (birthday gift)
"I commissioned this animation for my 40th birthday, and when I saw my daughter’s little paper version hugging me on screen, I couldn’t hold back tears. Lotte Lives captured her perfectly. Now it’s our family’s most treasured digital heirloom."
oscar's parents
"When our kids and their friends found Oscar buried in the snow that winter night, we knew this was more than just a rescue—it was the day our family grew. Lotte Lives didn’t just animate the moment; they captured how Remy’s hands trembled while removing the snow, and how Luna appears from nowhere with a shovel (that was real). Now, every time we play this animation, Oscar (safe and spoiled at home!) tilts his head at his tiny paper self. It’s our favorite family treasure—a reminder that heroes come in all sizes."
Zafira's parents
Ariel surprised me with this animation one month after Zafira was born. I was skeptical at first (‘How can paper capture her tiny nose?’), but when I saw our family’s profiles side by side—even my husband’s beard stubble!—I was stunned. We play it on loop during family dinners."
who creates your stories?
Adrian Melis
Artist and filmmaker, specialist in storytelling, editing and experimental filmmaking
Adrián Melis is a Cuban artist with an international career that combines his expertise in visual arts and filmmaking to create unique stop motion animations. Trained at the University of Arts in Havana and a former resident at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam, his work has been exhibited at institutions such as the Centre Pompidou (Paris), the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, and the Queens Museum (NY). Inspired by Lotte Reiniger’s classic technique, Adrián transforms memories into art in motion, frame by frame, with a handmade and emotional approach."
my personal story & why I created lotte lives
After 12 years living in Europe, I moved to Buenos Aires to raise my daughter, Miranda. She’s three years old now—my greatest joy and my reason to rebuild my life here. I left behind my friends, relatives and the life I knew, but I’d do it a thousand times over to be with her. Miranda adores Lotte Reiniger’s silhouette animations, and watching her enjoy at those flickering shadows sparked an idea: What if I could merge my love for handmade filmmaking with the desire to build a life rooted in creativity, presence, and care?That’s how Lotte Lives began—a way to craft something special and meaningful for others while staying close to her. Every animation is made with the same care I’d pour into a gift for Miranda.
