The film was produced and most likely directed by
J. Stuart Blackton, an illustrator and one of the most important figures in early film history. Blackton specialized in "
trick films" and sharpened his skill with early
special effects making fake footage of the
Spanish-American War and animated films.
Princess Nicotine was shot by
Tony Gaudio, who used mirrors to achieve a deep depth of field. The film was probably inspired by
Émile Cohl's
The Animated Matches (1908), which had previously featured
stop-motion matches that appeared to move by themselves. Blackton and Gaudio also employed hidden wires, double exposures, giant props, and smoke to make the film appear magical and dreamlike. The film's special effects astonished audiences, and
Scientific American dedicated an article to explaining how the film was made. ==Reception==