The production process of shadow play

The production process of shadow play is as follows:

China has a vast territory, and shadow plays in different places have their own characteristics. However, the production procedures of shadow play are mostly the same. Usually, it is a complicated and wonderful process to go through eight processes, such as skin selection, skin making, draft drawing, manuscript passing, engraving, coloring, sweating and ironing, and hand carving more than 3,000 knives. The artistic creativity of shadow play draws lessons from the techniques and styles of silk paintings, stone reliefs, brick reliefs and temple murals in the Tang and Song Dynasties in China.

The limbs and head of a shadow puppet actor are carved separately and connected by lines, so they can move freely when performing. A shadow puppet actor needs five bamboo sticks to manipulate, and the artist's fingers are flexible, which often dazzles the audience. You should not only have excellent skills in your hands, but also speak, read, play and sing in your mouth, and brake gongs and drums at your feet.

Shadow play arts school

Due to the wide spread of shadow play in China, different schools have been formed in the long-term evolution of different regions, such as Sichuan shadow play, Hubei shadow play, Hunan shadow play, Beijing shadow play, Tangshan shadow play, Shandong shadow play, Shanxi shadow play, Qinghai shadow play, Ningxia shadow play, Shaanxi shadow play, and other local shadow plays with different styles.

The musical vocals and rhythms of shadow play around the country absorbed the essence of local opera, folk art, folk songs and minor music system, and formed many colorful schools.

There are Mianyang shadow play, Tangshan shadow play, Jinan shadow play, Xiaoyi shadow play, Fuzhou shadow play, Haining shadow play, Lufeng shadow play, Huaxian shadow play, Huayin old tune, Agong tune, Xianban tune, Huanxian Taoist shadow play, Lingyuan shadow play and so on.