Paper short abstract:

The first organized filming of ethnological documentaries in Macedonia began in 1952. Those films were filmed according to strictly elaborate book of shooting. The actual Macedonian ethnological film is distinguished by different approaches defined by the personal standpoints.

Paper long abstract:

The first organized filming of ethnological documentaries in Macedonia with active participation of ethnologists, above all, from the Museum of Macedonia, began in 1952. Major role among the first ethnology film-makers was played by Vera Kli~kova, the doyen of Macedonian ethnography. She used tо choose the themes, localities for filming, wrote the screenplay and book of shooting, organized the filming, made reconstructions, directed, etc. The films based on her scenarios and directed by her were filmed according to strictly elaborate book of shooting. There were none, or, in utmost cases, very slight changes in the scenario.

Their main characteristics were clear and complete information contained in the picture, narration explaining specific points in the film and traditional music performed by a symphonic orchestra.

Nowadays the actual Macedonian ethnological film is distinguished by different approaches defined by the personal standpoints, the approach to certain themes and the temper of the ethnologist. They carry out their researches with the camera, do the shooting themselves or hire professional cameramen. In preparing the film they never use formerly written scenarios, but merely set a general framework to run the shooting, whereas the scenario is most frequently being shaped up during the editing.

Macedonian ethnologists follow up continually the world trends in producing ethnological documentary films always managing to preserve and point out the specific points and emphasize their viewpoints. All these features allow them to be original and recognizable filmmakers.