shadowplay
Gestures casting shapes
Shadowplay is theatrical entertainment using shadows cast on a screen or wall, typically by hands, puppets, or cutout figures positioned between a light source and the viewing surface.
The term extends to any interplay of light and shadow: The shadowplay of leaves on the bedroom wall.
Figuratively, shadowplay suggests deceptive maneuvering or hidden activity behind a visible facade: The treaty negotiations were mere shadowplay while the real deals happened elsewhere.
Summary of key elements
- profileSide-facing outline
- contourBounding line of shape
- shapeExternal outline of something
- formShape or document
figure · backlighting · penumbra · umbra · eclipse · darkness · twilight · dusk
Manipulating figures for shows
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
- screenDisplay or barrier
- lanternEnclosed portable light
- projectionSomething that extends outward
storytelling · narration · cutout · figures · puppet · theatrical · traditional · folklore
Visible electromagnetic radiation
- darknessTotal absence of light
- interplayReciprocal action between things
- dualityTwofold nature
- juxtapositionAdjacent contrasting placement
gradation · nuance · shading · chiaroscuro · tones · highlights · depth · dramatic
Intentional misleading of others
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- phantasmIllusory supernatural appearance
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
- specterGhostly threatening presence
mirage · conjuring · sleight · enchantment · masquerade · charade · façade · distortion
Practice of hiding information
- covertIntentionally concealed
- veiledConcealed or obscured
- hiddenKept out of sight
- obscureUnknown to most
mysterious · enigmatic · clandestine · subterfuge · machination · scheming · political · behind-the-scenes
outline
Summary of key elements
form · figure · backlighting · penumbra · umbra · eclipse · darkness · twilight · dusk · noir
puppetry
Manipulating figures for shows
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
- screenDisplay or barrier
- lanternEnclosed portable light
projection · storytelling · narration · cutout · figures · puppet · theatrical · traditional · folklore · backdrop
light
Visible electromagnetic radiation
juxtaposition · gradation · nuance · shading · chiaroscuro · tones · highlights · depth · dramatic · stark
deception
Intentional misleading of others
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- phantasmIllusory supernatural appearance
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
specter · mirage · conjuring · sleight · enchantment · masquerade · charade · façade · distortion · manipulation
secrecy
Practice of hiding information
obscure · mysterious · enigmatic · clandestine · subterfuge · machination · scheming · political · behind-the-scenes · manipulation
- illusionsmirage, optical illusion, hallucination, illusion, afterimage
- fine motortyping, sewing, knitting, origami, threading
- pre-cinemazoetrope, magic lantern, kinetoscope, phantasmagoria, flip book
shadowplayillumination
Provision of light
light show · spotlight · direct light · radiance · brilliance
shadowplayfull disclosure
Withholding no information
transparency · directness · candor · frankness · laying bare
play, shadow, shadowy, shadows, overshadow, shadowed, shadowing, foreshadow, foreshadowing