Batam eyes animation industry development

BATAM. The Batam Free Trade Zone Authority (BPK FTZ) Techno Park and PT Kinema Systrans Multimedia (KSM) are collaborating to advance the country’s animation industry to entertain audiences in Indonesia and worldwide.

KSM, also known as Infinite Frameworks (IFW) Studios, will serve as an incubator to nurture local talent and develop animation businesses in the hope that the local animation industry will be able to compete with other countries’ animation businesses.

KSM is currently training 30 polytechnic students majoring in multimedia and vocational school (SMK) students majoring in computer and animation, to introduce them to the latest technology in the animation industry as well as business opportunities.

KSM technical director Daniel Hardjanto told The Jakarta Post that the global animation industry was estimated to be worth US$242 billion by 2016.

“I hope that Indonesia can at least earn 1 percent of the total value,” said Daniel.

To achieve the target, he said, it was important to develop local talent before it reached the industry.

During the workshop, which will end on Tuesday, participants are introduced to the animation world and trained to make animation films before being assigned to produce a two minute animation video, which will be included in a competition.

Successful participants will be encouraged to establish small-scale enterprises in the animation field. Daniel said that KSM would provide technology and give opportunities for workshop participants to secure internships.

KSM, which is located in Turi Beach Resort, was established in 2005 and has produced a series of animation works. The company, Daniel said, had produced around 400 hours of animation work in seven years.

One of its productions is Tatsumi, a 2D animated movie directed by Singaporean filmmaker Eric Khoo. The film is a tribute to the life and work of the Japanese manga artist Yoshihiro Tatsumi.

The movie was premiered at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival in the “Un Certain Regard” section and was submitted to 84th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language category in 2012.

Other works include animated TV series such as The Garfield Show, Leonard/Dr. Contraptus, Lucky Luke, and Franklin & Friends.

KSM also created Dead Mine, a feature film produced by Singapore-based HBO Asia and starred in by a number of Indonesian actors, such as Aryo Bayu, Joe Taslim, Mike Lewis and Jaitov Yanda.

“We hope the Batam Techno Park will develop the technology for the animation production, which will be able to be implemented in the market. We also hope that there will be many animation studios in the future,” said Daniel.

BPK FTZ monitoring and industrial affairs evaluation sub-directorate head Tri Novianta Putra said he was setting his sights on prepare local talent to delve into the booming industry.

“So far, here in Indonesia, animation and the film industry are facing hard times as piracy is so rampant. KSM, with all its experience, may serve as an engine to develop the animation industry,” said Novianta.

Siti Aisyah, a vocational student who is joining the animation workshop, said such training encouraged her to produce animation work like Upin and Ipin, a Malaysian animation series that is popular in Indonesia.

“This is a rare opportunity for me to join such a workshop, which is also free. One day, I want to create a good animation movie,” Siti said.

BPK FTZ is currently developing Batam Techno Park, aimed at bridging small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), academics and the manufacturing and electronics industries that have set up factories in Batam.

The success of the Solo Techno Park in developing the Esemka car in Surakarta, Central Java, has inspired BPK FTZ to adopt a similar concept. (Fadli/ The Jakarta Post)