In a modest 5×3 meter workspace on Saturnus Street No. 36, Dauh Puri Klod, Denpasar, Bali, a group of young animators, including 22-year-old Ida Bagus Ista Krishna, are deeply focused on their individual screens.
Each of them is contributing to the creation of 2D and 3D characters or working on animated sequences for their latest project.
This small yet vibrant studio, known as LYS Animator Studio, is currently developing an animated film titled Made and The Lost Spirit. Although still in production, the film’s teaser, released in July 2024, has already received an enthusiastic response from social media users.
The film follows the story of Made, a Balinese teenager on a mission to restore his village after it was devastated by a demonic force known as kala.
Along the way, he is guided by a benevolent spirit in the form of a barong named Darma. The film draws inspiration from the Balinese celebration of Galungan, symbolizing the victory of dharma over adharma.
Ista Krishna, the founder of LYS Animator Studio, shared that the studio was officially established on January 1, 2024. Just a month later, work on Made and The Lost Spirit began. The overwhelmingly positive reception of the teaser has further fueled their motivation.
The project is being positioned as a strong contender in the Indonesian animation industry, with aspirations to match the popularity of regional successes like Upin & Ipin.
The film is set to be produced as a series consisting of two seasons with a total of 16 episodes. Each episode is planned to run for approximately six minutes.
Currently, the team is working on the first episode, following the teaser’s release. The studio, comprised of 15 dedicated team members, is funding the production through personal savings and freelance animation jobs.
Ista Krishna hopes this project will prove that even with limited resources, it’s possible to create high-quality animation rooted in local culture. (BT)
