Logo Macedonian Film Commission / Photo Credit: VSP Production - Macedonia Film Commission
MACEDONIA CINEMA… (In the Entertainment
industry. History of Macedonia Cinema)
Bruce
Bisbey…please follow me at: https://dumbdogproductionsllc.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/DumbDogProductionsLLC/ thank you.
Macedonia Cinema
Macedonia Film Commission
Emerge Films Solutions
History
The history of film making in the Republic of Macedonia
dates back over 110 years.[citation needed] The first film to be produced on
the territory of the present-day the country was made in 1895 by Janaki and
Milton Manaki in Bitola. From then, continuing to the present, Macedonian film
makers, in Macedonia and from around the world, have been producing many films.
The country now produces three or four films per year.
With innocence and reticent images from Balkan landscapes
recorded by the brother Milton and Janaki Manaki, Macedonian cinema story
started its more than hundred years of history, which officially happened in
1905 according to historians. What is more, it was precisely Milton Manaki the
first cameraman in the Balkans.
Despite that promising beginning, the first decades of the
20th century, Macedonian cinema did not have the same success as other European
countries, and the Manaki brothers weren’t recognized as they deserved. Neither
is easy to find a successor for their steps.
The war as changing factor
By the 20s, the civil war in the country divided in two
its society and it’s remarkable the number of foreign filmmakers who travelled
to Macedonia to report the war with crude images from a conflict which was
devastating the country. However it didn’t stop the eagerness of directors such
as Georgi Zankov and Arsenie Jovakov, who produced in 1923 a revealing
documentary called Macedonia.
Following the steps of fellow Soviet countries,
educational campaigns served as a platform to support and boost the filming industry.
From those days, a crude and astonishing documentary about malaria filmed in
1932, and the legacy of Blagoja Drnkov with movies as Bombing of Bitola and The
Gliders’ Meeting in Skopje (both from 1940), are the most remarkable.
After the FIFIMA –an institution founded to promote the
production and distribution of Macedonian films- the industry made an important
improvement. With scripts treating historical issues such the civil war and the
two World Wars, the cinema of Macedonia has characterized for reflecting
realities with deep fidelity and cruelty.
From that ‘movement’ -which lasted almost three decades-
the most prominent filmmakers were Trajce Popov, who directed Macedonian Blood Wedding (1967) and Kiro
Bilbilovski, director of Frosina (1952), one of the most important movies in
the country’s cinema history and which script was written by the Macedonian
national anthem composer: Vlado Maleski.
Throughout the past century, the medium of film has
depicted the history, culture and everyday life of the Macedonian people. Over
the years many Macedonian films have been presented at film festivals around
the world and several of these films have won prestigious awards.
The first Macedonian feature film was Frosina, released in
1952. The screenplay was written by Vlado Maleski, who wrote the lyrics for the
Macedonian national anthem, and it was directed by Vojislav Nanović. The first
feature film in color was Miss Stone, a movie about a Protestant missionary in
Ottoman Macedonia. It was released in 1958.
The most famous Macedonian director is Milčo Mančevski,
whose debut feature film Before the Rain was nominated for an Academy Award.
The highest grossing feature film in the Republic of Macedonia was Bal-Can-Can,
having been seen by over 500,000 people in its first year alone.
Emerge Films Solutions
Macedonia Film & Photography Production Services
Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production
company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in
Macedonia? We have fully vetted, locally based fixers, service producers,
directors, DP’s, videographers, cameramen, photographers, sound operators,
production drivers, and a range of other film crew. Contact us for referrals,
questions, cost estimates and references.
Want to know more about shooting in Macedonia? See below
for an introduction to Macedonia locations, permits, when to shoot, costs,
talent, crews, equipment, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and
work permits, film friendly hotels, transport, communications and safety
advice.
Macedonia Film Locations
Macedonia is known for its Byzantine churches, Greek and
Roman ruins, cobblestone Ottoman streets, stately neoclassical homes, national
parks, mountains, canyons, pine forests, caves, hot springs, and vineyards.
Of particular interest to filmmakers and photographers is
Lake Ohrid, Mavrovo National Park, Pelister National Park, Galichica National
Park, Matka Canyon, Treskavec monastery, Church of St. John at Kaneo, St. Jovan
Bigorski monastery, Yugoslav-era Makedonium monument, and the Old Bazaar in
Skopje. Shutka is the largest Roma community in Europe.
The Peacemaker was partly filmed in Macedonia.
Macedonia Film Location Permits
No extraordinary restrictions or rules apply. Permitting
in Macedonia is a very straightforward process. Please contact us for location
specific information.
When to Shoot?
Macedonia has a transitional climate from Mediterranean to
continental. The summers (June to September) are hot and dry and the winters
(November to March) are moderately cold. May through to September are the best
months to shoot for weather. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Traditional Macedonian festivals and events of interest to
filmmakers and photographers include:
• Vevcani Carnival in January.
• Strumica Carnival in March / April.
• Galicnik Wedding Festival in July.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs.
See here for public holiday dates in Macedonia.
Costs & Tax Incentives
Costs. Locations, local talent and support crew are
inexpensive but since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew
and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Our Macedonian fixer / service
producer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of
production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. 20% cash rebate exists on qualifying
Macedonian spend. For more information see Macedonian Film Agency.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Macedonia has a very small local pool of directors,
videographers and stills photographers. Key crew should be brought in from
abroad. Macedonia’s close proximity to major European production centers allows
easy access to those crews.
Contact us if you are looking for a director, DP,
photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant
(focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA /
runner, production driver, or any other film crew for your shoot in Macedonia.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable. Day rates
are very reasonable and negotiated on a personal basis. Casting facilities are
rather undeveloped in Macedonia so street casting is often required. Macedonia
offers mainly Macedonian and Albanian looks. Its close proximity to major
European production centers allows you easy access to those pools of talent
should you ever need to look further.
Macedonia Film Equipment
Equipment. Only the most basic camera, grip and lighting
equipment is available locally. Best to bring in all equipment from abroad. For
productions looking to bring in film equipment Macedonia is an ATA carnet
country.
Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction are basic.
Studios. Basic facilities exist but studios are not
Macedonia’s strong point.
Backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Macedonia is not a Schengen Area member. Entry is subject
to regulations from country of origin. Contact your local Macedonian embassy /
representative for more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure is all up to known and
expected world standards. Several international airlines service flights to
Macedonia.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Skopje
include:
- Aleksandar Palace
- Hotel Stone Bridge
- Duvet Boutique Hotel
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Please contact us for corporate rates.
Final Notes
Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Macedonia has some interesting monasteries and
ancient ruins worth exploring.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills
campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content,
feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Macedonia.
Hire Macedonia Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production
service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Macedonia, please
contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in
Macedonia, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman /
camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip,
gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please
contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and
bids quickly.
Sources,
References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked
In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The
Balance, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Media Match, Quora, Creative
Skill Set, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, Daily Variety, The Film Agency,
Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Producers
Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Emerge Film Solutions, UNESCO
Institute for Statistics, Eurochannel,
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Macedonian Film Commission / Photo Credit:
VSP Production - Macedonia Film Commission
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