Saltzburg, Austria 6 December 2008

1. Wide of old town of Salzburg

2. Tilt up of church domes

3. Wide of crowded street in a shopping district

4. Mid of young children preparing to put on costumes for Krampus parade

5. Close-up of children talking

6. Pan right from Krampus masks to child putting on mask

7. Close-up of child playing with mother

8. SOUNDBITE: (German) Sonia Poltmann (mother) and Viviana Poltmann (daughter), Krampus parade participants:

Sonia: "She knows that the Krampus is not a monster. In fact she likes it and prefers to parade as one of them."

Viviana: Yes, I know. They are not monsters."

9. Tracking shot of children playing with masks, circling a table

++NIGHT SHOTS++

10. Wide of people taking part in Krampus parade

11. Close-up of children's faces, including Vivianna Poltmann

12. Wide of people gathered in square to watch Krampuses

13. Close-up of Krampus' face

14. Mid of Krampus waving feather at children

15. Mid of spectator, Michael Usterler, with his family running away from Krampus

16. SOUNDBITE: (German) Michael Usterler, spectator:

"Sometimes I get really afraid of the krampuses. But the costumes are awesome!"

17. Mid of Krampus mocking child

18. Mid of man holding scared child

19. Close-up of girl's face

20. Krampus dancing

21. Close-up of Krampus's face

22. Close-up of Krampus hand grabbing boy by the scruff of the neck, boy runs away

23. Wide of Krampus pulling father holding baby into the centre

24. Close-up of father's face, ducking Krampus horn

25. Mid of people in Krampus costumes talking, both have taken off their masks

26. SOUNDBITE: (German) Alexander Lutsch, Krampus actor:

"Some time ago when I was a child, I used to be really scared of the Krampus. But now I like to be the Krampus. For me is very important that the Austrian children know that I'm a human being. This is a very important Austrian tradition."

27. SOUNDBITE: (German) Betina Lutsch, Krampus actor:

"I used to be afraid until I was fourteen years old. But then I began to dress as a Krampus and now it's very funny. I like it because you can show your emotions and nobody recognises you."

28. Mid of Saint Nicholas walking out of cathedral, into square

29. Mid of Saint Nicholas greeting child

30. Mid of Saint Nicholas greeting young boy

31. Close-up of boy's face, pan left to Saint Nicholas

32. SOUNDBITE: (German) Diedmar Koisser, Saint Nicholas actor:

"When I go to visit the children at their homes they always sing songs or recite poems to me. Then I ask them if whether they have been good and they say that they have. If they don't behave then the Krampus growls at them. But then I tell the Krampus to keep quiet because all children are good."

33. Mid of Saint Nicholas talking to children

34. Mid of three girls

35. Close-up of young girl talking to Saint Nicholas (not in shot)

36. Saint Nicholas playing with child

37. Saint Nicholas standing, watching Krampus carrying a child in a basket on his back

38. Wide of Public relations agent for Salzburg Christmas Market, Heinz Pollack, looking at a light in a stall

39. Close up of Pollack

40. SOUNDBITE: (German) Heinz Pollack, Public Relations agent for Salzburg Christmas Market:

"Saint Nicholas and Krampus are in Christmas folklore and they represent good and evil. Saint Nicholas was a bishop and a very good man who helped poor children whereas Krampus is the unavoidable representation of the evil one. Children always need someone to tell them off but also someone to tell them that they are good."

41. Pan right across shoppers at Salzburg Christmas Market

42. Close-up of doll hanging from stall

43. Shoppers looking at goods at a stall

44. Close-up of a glass ball with Santa inside

45. Low angle of band members playing trumpets

46. Close-up of trumpet, reveals musician

47. Close-up of another band member playing trumpet

48. Rear view, pan left across band

49. Pull focus of christmas lights

50. Top shot of Salzburg Christmas Market, with a big Christmas tree

LEAD IN:

Austrians celebrate festivities surrounding Saint Nicholas each year on December 6, with a parade in which the Saint is accompanied by an evil monster known as Krampus.

According to local folklore this representation of good and evil is aimed at teaching children good values, and it encourages them to behave well.

In some parts of Austria, Saint Nicholas Eve is also known as Krampus Day.

The occasion is marked with a parade in which the Saint is accompanied by an evil monster called the Krampus.

Some children take part in the parade, enthusiastically taking the opportunity to dress up as Krampus.

Vivienna Poltmann is one of them and she says she knows that Krampus is not a monster.

Others gather with their parents to watch the arrival of Saint Nicholas and Krampus, a yeti-like creature who scolds naughty children with a whip.

The devilish Krampus usually comes rattling chains dressed up in furs and covered with a scary mask with horns, big teeth and a long tongue.

His name comes from the old German word "krampen" meaning claw.

Krampus traditionally carries a basket on his back in which he puts children who behave badly.

One spectator at this year's parade, Michael Usterler, said the Krampus frightens him but he thinks the costumes are awesome.

Even those given the opportunity to dress up as Krampus also admit he is a scary figure.

Krampus actor, Alexander Lutsch, says the Krampus is a very important Austrian tradition but admits it is also crucial for Austrian children to realise that he is not a real creature.

His sister, Betina Lutsch, also plays Krampus.

She says it gives her a chance to show her emotions especially since nobody recognises her.

Alexander and Betina have been taking part in the Krampus festival since their childhood.

They both think that the Krampus is a unique Austrian tradition which should not be lost.

The legend comes from pagan times before the beginning of Christianity.

Traditionally, Saint Nicholas will drive Krampus away asking the children to behave well in return.

Saint Nicholas was born during the third century AD in the Greek village of Patara that now belongs to Turkey.

He wears bishop clothes and brings a book in which he writes down the good and bad deeds of children.

According to folklore, Saint Nicholas came from a rich family but was orphaned as a child.

A devout Christian, Saint Nicholas dedicated his fortune to assist the poor, especially children.

He became a priest, was later ordained a bishop and tales of his generosity have spread across Europe.

Another tradition for Salzburg dating back to the 15th Century is the Christmas market, one of Europe's oldest.

A spokesman for the Salzburg Christmas Market, Heinz Pollack, says the tradition of Saint Nicholas and Krampus are an important part of Christmas folklore because they represent good and evil.

He says Saint Nicholas was a very good man who helped poor children whereas Krampus is the unavoidable representation of evil.

Pollack adds that children always need someone to tell them off but also someone to tell them that they are good.

Keyword wacky