Shadow puppet theater is the oldest form of motion picture that still exist today. It goes back thousands of years to the Stone Age history. They learned how to use the their bodies, hands, or sample things off the campfire light to help tell fascinating stories about their family or clan. The earliest form of shadow puppet are thought to have originated in Asia. Throughout time shadow puppetry begin to grow and with different popular scenes like the "wayang kulit" it began to spread across the world following trade routes which later ended up in Europe and America. The Shadow tradition only requires three things to have a show. The light, blank white screen, and the different shadow figures. The lighting is a very important in shaping the shadow that we see. First an open flame or oil was used for the motions of the shadow. Today they use electric lights or an overhead projector to make a more steady and brighter image.
SEEING A PERFORMANCE
Shadow puppetry you will only see three things. The light, the blank white screen and the shadow figures of the screen. The puppeteer will create an entire world of different characters on the screen that will entertain the crowd.
SHADOW PUPPET IMAGES
This shadow is of a dragon flying in the air and it looks like the dragon is about to attack the castle. You can see how the figure is being held by some rods.
This image there are two people walking through a lot of trees.
SHADOW PUPPET VIDEO
This video shows different images and characters performing to the song titled A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong and performed by Raymond Crowe. First there was a animal singing then it went to a duck. Also he made a rabbit and a grown person hand playing with a baby hand. Then ended with a animal coming back and singing, and he did all this with his hand.
INTERESTING FACTS
1) Priests and monks transmitted religious stories to populations who did not know how to read.
2) In many place shadow puppetry is a favorite way to teach people important myths and legends of their culture.
Sources
The World of Theatre Textbook pages 140 and 141
Travis,
ReplyDeleteThis is very good. It is complete and clear. Don't forget to get me your other assignments. I want to see you do well in the class.