How does it work? Is it really magic? You really want to know, so you came here.
The images are produced by backlighting: The figures are held against the screen and moved using control sticks. The figures can either be made from one piece or from several jointed pieces, allowing for more expressive movement. Historically, figures were made from leather, treated to become translucent and colored. We use more easily obtainable materials, such as construction paper and foil. Here is an example of what it might look like in use, as seen by the audience. You also see a temporary stage setup and a couple living examples depicted as shadow figures: