Shadow puppetry is different from other kinds of puppetry in that the puppet itself does not work in isolation. You need three things to make shadow puppetry:
1. The shadow puppet. This can be a traditionally made puppet which, either a black silhouette or very colourful or it could be an interesting shaped object like a doll, a sieve or a twig. Or you could use yourself or part of yourself or a group of you to make strange and wonderful creatures.
2. The Screen. This could be sheet you’ve hung up made of fabric or paper. It could be fixed to a frame, large (lighting bars/easels) or small (a cardboard box). It could be floating free to create ripple effects or held by hand and moved about the space to ‘catch’ the shadows.
3. The Light. You can use simple domestic lamps or torches [if your room is dark enough!] or, if you have one, an overhead projector can be used to great effect because you have the flat surface, for backgrounds, and the vertical space for your puppets to move in. And don’t forget the biggest light of all, the sun. On the right day, at the right place you can create a wonderful outdoor shadow show.
I’ve tried to select some clips that reflect the breadth of Shadow Puppetry worldwide.
Traditionally when people think of shadow puppetry they think of Chinese [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir07rVbpKNw] and Balinese style puppets. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIpn3Jp0y04&playnext_from=TL&videos=U1-DR3U8aZU&playnext=1] However there is also a strong and ancient tradition of shadow puppetry from Turkey [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKQ4GRq8cyA&playnext_from=TL&videos=gfF7avBF2_I&playnext=1] in the form of Karagoz, who is a mischievous character rather like our Mr. Punch.
And for a long time people have been developing their own styles of shadow puppetry in other parts of the world. Some present very simple ‘traditional’ puppets on a flat cinema-like screen to great effect, like Richard Bradshaw from Australia, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNsJ6kDVbfk&feature=PlayList&p=7FA88AF2DE7C5A3C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=8] while others like to play with depth and unusual materials to create their shadow play. Whilst others experiment with using their hands and bodies incorporated into the shadow like Ginat from Israel, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOzkagviIbA], or just use only their hands to tell a story [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiTxRlih3H4]
I hope this blog gives you some food for thought. Why not go on a shadow hunt to collect ideas for your own show!
Zannie Fraser
Friday, 19 March 2010
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Shadow Puppets in Norfolk
A group of children, an overhead projector and a projection surface (eg wall, sheet) and ‘away you go’ to explore a range of materials and the creation of shadows. Many schools have created performances right from early explorations, through drama, script-writing, DT puppet/set design, animation, music and sound effects, marketing and finally to performance and review of their own show. Children and teachers alike have found this an exciting and powerful way to develop creativity and present a story, a dance or a new world.
We’ve chosen this as a subject as several shadow events are happening in Norfolk over the next few months. Sally and Steve from the puppet company ‘Indefinite Articles’ have been exploring giants and shadows with infants at Surlingham Primary and we hope to tell you about their research and development in the near future. Those of you on the PiE schools list will remember seeing them in action developing the 'Chalk Giant' at NPT at our first PiE meeting. Tunstead Primary too have begun to plan for a cross curricular study for the autumn term (watch this space). Other companies also work with shadow performance in Norfolk and these can be accessed through the puppet company database at www.puppeteersUK.com
If you want to explore some ideas and stimulate children’s thinking please have a look at our blogs entitled ‘Shadow Performances’and 'Tips and Clips from a Puppeteer'. We have researched YouTube and found some useful clips.
Norwich Puppet Theatre also has a shadow play 13th and 14th April (see www.puppettheatre.co.uk/programme-of-events) . In addition the only other Puppet Theatre in England ‘ The Little Angel’ has an adult shadow performance in April (see www.littleangeltheatre.com/lat/whatson.)
Shed some light on the creativity of shadows.
If you want to join the Primary PiE network, so we can let you know about puppet related activities in local schools and the puppet world, please send an email to blog@puppettheatre.co.uk including
your name, email address, current age group taught and school and we will make sure you are on our emailing list.
We’ve chosen this as a subject as several shadow events are happening in Norfolk over the next few months. Sally and Steve from the puppet company ‘Indefinite Articles’ have been exploring giants and shadows with infants at Surlingham Primary and we hope to tell you about their research and development in the near future. Those of you on the PiE schools list will remember seeing them in action developing the 'Chalk Giant' at NPT at our first PiE meeting. Tunstead Primary too have begun to plan for a cross curricular study for the autumn term (watch this space). Other companies also work with shadow performance in Norfolk and these can be accessed through the puppet company database at www.puppeteersUK.com
If you want to explore some ideas and stimulate children’s thinking please have a look at our blogs entitled ‘Shadow Performances’and 'Tips and Clips from a Puppeteer'. We have researched YouTube and found some useful clips.
Norwich Puppet Theatre also has a shadow play 13th and 14th April (see www.puppettheatre.co.uk/programme-of-events) . In addition the only other Puppet Theatre in England ‘ The Little Angel’ has an adult shadow performance in April (see www.littleangeltheatre.com/lat/whatson.)
Shed some light on the creativity of shadows.
If you want to join the Primary PiE network, so we can let you know about puppet related activities in local schools and the puppet world, please send an email to blog@puppettheatre.co.uk including
your name, email address, current age group taught and school and we will make sure you are on our emailing list.
Shadow performances
We have found out some shadow puppet clips that may interest you. Hope you enjoy them and if you know of any other good clips or photos of shadow performances please comment or email us.
The first clip is an advert for Surf, which you may have seen on the television. It is 40seconds long and shows shadow puppetry in a very beautiful way. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNeVXdlRCSk
Understanding how to fully use your hand and fingers is clearly demonstrated in this hand shadows clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUIDXTG8Xds
Sophisticated shadow version of Hansel and Gretel by Lotte Reiniger. 50's Disney style narration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxkIGXVwZTM
This has a comical family feel to it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNsJ6kDVbfk
An interesting mix of long shot, medium and close up puppets in the same performance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBsOS_D3DgY
Simple shadow puppets showing a journey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN0SqT2eG4U&feature=related
If it's a professional dance company you want to see with some amazing shadow performance check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiX-DW8Qk4w
Great dexterity in this hand shadow performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPneQzqhh4g
Some simple ideas for articulated shadow puppets and stage set how a laser cutter can be used to cut out the shapes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-1j_PntB1g&feature=related
Like what you saw? Norwich Puppet Theatre has a shadow production at the theatre on the 13th and 14th April which demonstrates many of the techniques explored in the clips. ‘The Cat that Walked by Himself’ tells the classic Just-So story of Rudyard Kipling. Inspired by traditional paintings of north-east India, these moving shadows beautifully re-create the story of the time when the world was young, and woman tamed man, dog, horse and cow but . . . did she tame cat? It is a magical show for children and adults, narrated with a gentle humour. For more information contact Norwich Puppet Theatre box office on 01603 629921
Adult Education - Puppet Construction Workshop
Every Tuesday evening, in ten-week blocks, Norwich Puppet Theatre runs a workshop where students ranging from 16 to 70+ can learn how to make traditional puppets using their own designs.
Denise Hargrave and Peter Butler lead the sessions where a head is shaped in clay, a plaster cast made and finished using paper to produce a lightweight form. The body is constructed around a wire cage and limbs, appendages, hands and feet are attached. Puppets have been produced in all shapes and sizes over the last two years.
Besides the workroom for up to eight students there is a workshop attached where support is available for construction using resistant materials, a range of hand and power tools. In addition to developing construction techniques the workshop provides a friendly social atmosphere for those fledgling puppet-makers who want to learn from each other and share ideas as their puppets develop.
Many past participants have attended for a further ten weeks to continue with their projects. Some have progressed further (to join puppet-makers from the former City and Guilds course) and work together upstairs in the ‘Puppet Club’ on their latest projects.
If you have attended the workshop or club please send photos with a few words (eg title, name, comment) to blog@puppettheatre.co.uk as we would love to post them.
Times – 7:30 to 9:30 (week off during half-term holidays)
Costs – Workshop - £90 for ten led-sessions
Club - £50 with use facilities and occasional support
Denise Hargrave and Peter Butler lead the sessions where a head is shaped in clay, a plaster cast made and finished using paper to produce a lightweight form. The body is constructed around a wire cage and limbs, appendages, hands and feet are attached. Puppets have been produced in all shapes and sizes over the last two years.
Besides the workroom for up to eight students there is a workshop attached where support is available for construction using resistant materials, a range of hand and power tools. In addition to developing construction techniques the workshop provides a friendly social atmosphere for those fledgling puppet-makers who want to learn from each other and share ideas as their puppets develop.
Many past participants have attended for a further ten weeks to continue with their projects. Some have progressed further (to join puppet-makers from the former City and Guilds course) and work together upstairs in the ‘Puppet Club’ on their latest projects.
If you have attended the workshop or club please send photos with a few words (eg title, name, comment) to blog@puppettheatre.co.uk as we would love to post them.
Times – 7:30 to 9:30 (week off during half-term holidays)
Costs – Workshop - £90 for ten led-sessions
Club - £50 with use facilities and occasional support
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Feedback- Interactive community for teachers
We are creating the PiE blog to help introduce more puppet activity into classrooms. For this page to work at its best, we need lots of input from various schools, teachers, heads and pupils. You can get in touch by clicking ‘comment’ under each blog to make a specific comment. Let us know your thoughts and ideas. You can also contact us privately by sending an email to blog@norwichpuppettheatre.co.uk We really appreciated your help and will try to always meet your needs. If there is something you want to learn more about then do get in touch!
Classroom Idea
This idea was given to us by Horsford Infant School Year 1 teacher Amy Pengilley.
Here is a simple activity for teachers to use with their class to spark the children’s imagination through creative story telling in a fun and low cost way. It is also a great way to encourage shy children to interact with the class.
You need to have a class puppet. You can either use one you already have, or invest in a new one. When you introduce the puppet to the class, (give it a name) explain about the puppets character and behaviour. This is no ordinary puppet, but a very naughty puppet who is forever getting into mischief and trouble!
The children’s names are placed in a bag, and then drawn to see who is taking it home for the weekend. What will he get up to when one of your students takes him home for the weekend? When the child returns with the puppet after the weekend, encourage them to tell the class the story of the trouble they got into.
Please send us any photos or stories that the children have created so that we can share them on this network.
Here is a simple activity for teachers to use with their class to spark the children’s imagination through creative story telling in a fun and low cost way. It is also a great way to encourage shy children to interact with the class.
You need to have a class puppet. You can either use one you already have, or invest in a new one. When you introduce the puppet to the class, (give it a name) explain about the puppets character and behaviour. This is no ordinary puppet, but a very naughty puppet who is forever getting into mischief and trouble!
The children’s names are placed in a bag, and then drawn to see who is taking it home for the weekend. What will he get up to when one of your students takes him home for the weekend? When the child returns with the puppet after the weekend, encourage them to tell the class the story of the trouble they got into.
Please send us any photos or stories that the children have created so that we can share them on this network.
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