Let there be light!

Just some thoughts on other elements I could bring into the mix - broadening my perspective.

Have a little motor that turns a row of LEDs which can cast shadows/pre-determined silhouettes onto a surface.

Use springs to pre-load a wing-like structure which would spring open at the desired time with a trigger.

Use fibre optics for a slightly softer effect and use these in a matrix to give the story a sense of an animation.