Improvements with Side Effects: Changes of Taiwan Pili Puppet Shows in New Media Age

摘要

style="text-align:justify;"> This essay demonstrates the main changes of the puppet dramas in Taiwan in recent years, trying to find the new media elements it used in the puppet dramas now. Puppet show originally was invented in Fujian. But it prospered in Taiwan; and in 1980s it started being played on TV. Now the hottest puppet drama company uses websites to promote its DVDs and books about puppet characters and sells posters and puppets. The puppet drama as a traditional folk art prospered in modern society keeping attracting more people by absorbing new elements. New media and its new performing methods, such as special effects, satellite TV and websites provide a great help in spreading the influence of this art.