Twenty‐three films on music, dance and crafts were produced by the author in a collaborative effort during 1972–73, in the context of a larger research project, “Art and Culture in Bali.” Thanks to the cinematic medium, early studies in ethnography, choreography and ethnomusicology were incorporated into the making of the films. It served to shed new light on these areas, giving way to a more in‐depth analysis of them. The possibilities for developing newer themes and areas of further research were also considered. The article evokes, above all, questions concerning the scientific use of film in research. Problems which arise during the preparation and execution of the film, as well as during field work, and, in the final analysis, with the outcome of the film, are also considered. This film provides both acoustical and optical responses to long‐standing ethnographic and ethnomusicological questions and affords a base upon which to carry out further research on musical rhythms in Bali as well as information on ancient musical forms. It allows for a choreographic analysis of the principal forms of dance and documents the making of a ceremonial costume using a unique technique in textile‐making, known as double ikat. All of the films, assessed in several publications, have yielded initial data for new directions in research. They have also served to awaken a new interest in different cultural themes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]