Comic is a work that has many readers, even without knowing the age limit. From one of the platforms providing legal manga, which is MANGA Plus, it is revealed that Indonesia occupies the third largest position after the United States and Thailand that access manga on the platform in 2022.
Along with digital transformation, comics also adapt from conventional to digital forms. Seeing the enthusiasm for the development of the comic industry, Media Production Study Program, Vocational Education Program, Universitas Indonesia (UI) implemented a curriculum that included a course which studies comic production.
The goal is for Vocational UI to participate in building the comic industry that has high potential. In addition, it will be able to break into Indonesia’s creative economy market. One of the efforts made is by holding a workshop in the community service program with the theme “Comic, IP, Transmedia-Storytelling” which was held last November at Vocational UI Auditorium, Depok.
The community service activity was attended by a number of practitioners in various fields, such as Rizqy R Mosmarth, Managing Editor of BumiLangit Entertainment; Bara Adhyaksa, Manager of HUION Indonesia; and Ayoga Nanda, Gramedia Editor. This community service was attended by more than 180 students from high schools and vocational schools in Greater Jakarta, which were SMKN 1 Depok, SMA Al Azhar 19, SMKN 1 Depok, and SMK Budi Luhur, as well as Vocational UI students. Participants may be those who already have drawing competence and those who not yet.
Bara said that intellectual property (IP) is an intangible asset that can be owned by comic creators. In recent years, the share of the IP business market has continued to increase and has the potential to improve the creative industry ecosystem in Indonesia. “Dissemination of information regarding this matter needs to be done, especially considering that the comic industry in Indonesia is starting to gain popularity again. The role of the industry in introducing comics to the younger generation, especially for high school and vocational school students, can be started with initial steps such as the workshops we are currently giving,” said Bara.
On the same occasion, Ayoga also introduced storytelling techniques or storytelling in making a comic. “Story is the most important element in making comics. Storytelling techniques can be applied in making comics. This technique also has many benefits, such as being able to describe the plot and premise in a comic; setting the flow and points that the creators want to convey; as well as facilitating the delivery of messages and stories from the creators,” explained Ayoga.
From the side of the comic industry, which is now starting to appeal to many people, Rizqy introduced several things about BumiLangit, such as the timeline of upcoming films, comic characters, and BumiLangit films. “We are trying to continue to improve the comic industry through adaptations into films. Seeing the high interest of the Indonesian people towards films, we think this is the right step,” said Rizqy.
In the second session of the workshop, participants were asked to learn how to make comics with the three speakers and facilitators from the team of Media Production study program lecturers. The speakers explained and gave direct examples of the process of making comics to the participants. They also helped the participants to be creative in making their comics. Participants who succeeded in drawing comics well also received a number of souvenirs in the form of artbooks from Gundala film and Sri Asih comics.
One of the workshop participants admitted that he gained a lot of knowledge about comic making. “I got a lot of new knowledge related to comics from the speakers. As it turns out, making comics is quite complicated and requires careful planning, especially in composing stories. I hope this activity can be carried out regularly every year,” said Mirko, from SMA Islam Al Azhar 19 Jakarta.
