Bliss English Club

Bliss Recap of “The Fantasy World of JinGuang Palmar Drama” by Carmelo on Sep. 29, 2018

Date: September 29, 2018

Host: Carmelo

Topic: “The Fantasy World of JinGuang Palmar Drama”

Participants: Emily, David, Ellen Wang, Ellen Huang, Eric, Will, Rita, Annie, Carmelo, Devry, Emma

Meeting photo: https://photos.app.goo.gl/C89FMmFMoeuUBqMs

Meeting started:

Our handsome and knowledgeable-ever host, Carmelo arranged his meeting as interesting and organized as expected. We were obsessed by his articulate guidance and overwhelming power of “Traditional Taiwanese Art” 金光布袋戲.!

Stereotypes of watching布袋戲

That is old-fashioned stuff, suitable only for the aged people! Actually, it is typically Taiwanese Arts, distinguished from others all over the world, worthwhile appreciating more often for all ages!

Barriers of Watching布袋戲

1. Oral Taiwanese is seldom spoken or understood by young generation.
2. Beauty of the art is hidden in the Rhyming Verse Spoken in Old Taiwanese!

The Art in布袋戲

1. Dialogues/narration are usually done by one person who dramatizes each character with proficient vocal varieties and vivid Taiwanese rhyming verse, and who also narrates each scene and background. “Screenwriters” act as the souls of the dramas, even guide how the “puppeteers “should manipulate their puppets! 

2. Sound & visual effects; traditionally in flat stages but now developed to bigger screens with animated, lighting, sound technologies.

3. Photography: They apply photographic skills like Zoom-in/out and special shots to correspond with characters and backgrounds to make the puppets act like real people with true feelings!

Branches of黃俊雄布袋戲

1.Traditonal one by 黃俊雄

2.霹靂布袋戲by 黃強華&黃文擇 since1980s

3.金光布袋戲 by黃立綱(3^rd son of黃俊雄) &黃俊雄since 1990s

Scenes in 金光布袋戲: : Acting without fighting actions

1. Carmelo showed us how a great Master taught his successor by teaching through sword skills, strategies, even encouraging him to killing “Master” with resolution and no regret!

2.  He then showed us how a mood can be delicately created and“Friendship” can accurately interpreted in 金光布袋戲

Fighting Scenes in 金光布袋戲:

Along with the storyboard, they use different shots to make the puppets fight even more flexibly and violently than real people.

Source of Stories

Like 金庸, the screenwriters creates the stories on some historical backgrounds mingling ling some imagination.For example, the legends of 李白and 徐福 became one of the sources of their inspiration!

Reflections:

Carmelo’s meeting wowed us so much that we talked about it after the meeting till very late. We admired his presenting and organizing skills and most unforgettably his remakable Taiwan金光布袋戲 vocal imitation! He convinced us well that he is an adept in Western but also in Taiwanese local arts! By the way, if Blissers feel interested in this Taiwanese Legacy, please take time to watch them in 台灣偶戲館 in Taipei! Stay Tune!