Abstract:
This study discusses the role of producers in the design and implementation of the
independent documentary film Wes Kolo Titi Mangsane: Wayang Orang Bharata using a low-
budget approach. As a producer, the author emphasizes the managerial aspects of production,
from conceptualizing ideas, budgeting, scheduling, organizing the crew, to overseeing the
entire production process. The low-budget method was chosen not only as a financial
efficiency strategy but also as a creative approach that allows for a more intimate connection
with the film's subject, the Wayang Orang Bharata artists.
Given the limited resources, the producer designed a production strategy that prioritized the
use of simple equipment, optimizing the crew with specific competencies, and managing
distribution through community-based networks and digital platforms. This low-budget
production management does not compromise the quality of the content but rather
strengthens the authenticity of the narrative being built. This approach demonstrates that the
producer's role in independent film production is not limited to administrative functions but
also significantly contributes to maintaining artistic vision consistency, process sustainability,
and the effectiveness of conveying cultural messages to the audience.
This study shows that the managerial strategies employed by producers in low-budget
documentary film production can serve as an alternative production model that is adaptive,
efficient, and relevant to the independent film community in Indonesia, while also
functioning as a medium for preserving traditional arts amid the tide of globalization.
