The Department of Animation at Universitas Dian Nuswantoro (Udinus) produced an animated show entitled Si Warik, which premiered at a cinema in Tentrem Mall, Semarang.
The show was officially premiered on February 15th, 2023. The premiere was attended by the Head of the Dian Nuswantoro Foundation alongside the Chancellor of Udinus and his staff members. During the production process, the show was primarily developed by students, alumni, and faculty members of the Animation Department in the Dian Nuswantoro Diploma Empat Animation Studio (Dandin). This studio is owned by the Department of Animation partnering with Manimonki Animation Studio. Currently, there have been three series and a movie produced by the department.
During his interview, Dr. Khafiizh Hastuti, S.Kom., the Head of the Animation Department, explained that the Si Warik animated show was the first intellectual property of the Animation Department. During the production process of Si Warik, the department involved interns, alumni, and practitioners from an Indonesian animation studio as Quality Controls of Si Warik.
“The premiere of Si Warik this February will take place at a cinema in Tentrem Mall, Semarang. Si Warik will be screened in the form of a mini-movie,” she explained.
The screening was attended by several prominent figures from Udinus, including Prof. Dr. Ir. Edi Noersasongko, M.Kom. (the Chancellor), Hj. Tri Rustanti, S.E., M.M., (the Head of the Dian Nuswantoro Foundation), all vice chancellors, and deans of every faculty at Udinus.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Edi Noersasongko, M.Kom., the Chancellor, expressed his utmost pride to students, alumni, and faculty members of the Animation Department for being involved in the production of this show. This is because it was a remarkable accomplishment to produce a mini movie and miniseries concerning local cultures in a span of a semester. According to the chancellor, good time management was the key to being on par with other globally acclaimed animated shows.
“We will always motivate the production of this animated show, for example, by providing a supercomputer to produce animation. In addition to a supercomputer, we will also provide other facilities for students to create more remarkable works,” he revealed.
On the same occasion, Wing Wiyarso (the Head of the Culture and Tourism Service of Semarang), Dr. Dra. Sarjilah, M.Pd. (the Head of the Vocational Development and Quality Assurance Board of Culture), Darmadi, S.Pd., M.Pd. (the Head of the Teacher Stimulus Board of Central Java), Wiwik Akhirul Eni, M.Kom., (the Divisional Head of the Teacher Stimulus Board), Heni Wiradimaja (the Director of Indonesiana TV). In addition, several teachers and students from local high schools also made an appearance at the premier screening.
The Kedaireka Fundings for Si Warik
The Si Warik animated show also possessed several moral values for the audience to understand. For additional information, the show mainly tells the story of three protagonists, namely, Dian, Warik, and Endog. In the film, Dian is depicted as a blue-haired girl wearing glasses and blue clothing. The name Dian itself is derived from Universitas Dian Nuswantoro, the place in which the show is produced.
Meanwhile, Warik is depicted as a boy wearing a Warak Ngendok mask and dressed in all red. As for Endog, he is depicted as an all-knowing flying egg-shaped robot.
Nita Virena Nathania B.Des (Hons), a faculty member and the producer of Si Warik, stated that the show was primarily aimed at a younger audience. Furthermore, she revealed the production held the purpose of giving knowledge and educational messages to children.
Previously, research conducted by the Department of Animation at Udinus successfully received Rp. 360 million of funding from the Kedaireka Program.
The production of Si Warik also served as a platform for animation students to learn before embarking on their careers in the animation industry. Additionally, the production team also attached a slogan to the show, namely, The Adventure of Warak Cilik in Presenting Educational Message. Currently, the Department of Animation has produced a total of four episodes of Si Warik.
“Through the mini-movie launched and premiered today, we would like to encourage youth to keep taking care of our environment. In addition, we also expect this movie to educate children, particularly concerning science and many more,” she revealed.
On a different occasion, Aditya Surya Prayoga, a student involved in the Si Warik project, explained that during the production, the production team primarily utilized the 2D animation design and 3D modelling techniques. This process was conducted to create all the characters and settings of the show. In addition to the modeling process, there were also animating and lighting processes during the stage of production. Adita further revealed that the production of the Si Warik mini-movie spanned six months.
“Through this project, I have learned many things, including time management, file management, and the proper and efficient animating techniques. Hopefully, our animated show can attract children and educate them through its message,” he concluded. (Humas Udinus/Alex. Foto: Humas Udinus)
