If you were born around the 1970s to 1990s, you’re probably familiar with the “impossible” ads. Regardless of your age when these ads aired, one question that crosses our minds is, “How did they film that far away, and how did the TV turn on in a place without electricity?”

After 30 years, the mystery has finally been uncovered. Assistant director Irfan Wahid recently spilled the secrets behind these legendary ads through his X account @ipangwahid and in an interview video with the Instagram account of DNVB Indonesia @dnvb.id.

Here are 5 secrets behind these legendary ads:

1. No Drones, Here’s How They Filmed the Rice Field Advertising

This legendary ad was made in 1995 and filmed in Pelabuhan Ratu, Sukabumi, West Java. Irfan Wahid explained that to achieve such a wide and high-angle shot, the ad crew used a helicopter, a 35mm camera, and a camera mount/stabilizer rented for a total cost of 300-400 million Rupiah (approximately USD 26.000)

2. No Electricity Needed, the Football Field Advertising Used Blue Screen 

Similar to the rice field ad, the football field ad also utilized a helicopter, a 35mm camera, and a mount/stabilizer. However, the filming process at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta was more challenging due to the narrow shooting location for helicopter maneuvering, while the helicopter could not fly too low to avoid damaging the grass.

In fact, the TVs in all these legendary ads were off and only had blue screens, which were later edited to appear as if there were videos playing in post-production. Why not use green screens? Blue screens were chosen to prevent confusion with the green color of the rice fields and the football field.

3. The Crew to Build a 10-Meter Deep Dock in 2 Days

This legendary river’s ad setting was the result of the crew's hard work, who had to construct a 7x14 meter dock on the Barito River in Muara Kuin, South Kalimantan, with a depth of 10 meters in just 2 days!

4. 50 People Shifted the Rumah Gadang in the West Sumatra Ad

This ad was originally set to be filmed in Padang Panjang, West Sumatra. However, due to time and technical constraints, the shooting location was moved to the Anjungan Sumatera Barat at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) in Jakarta.

It took the crew one month to create a setting reminiscent of a rural environment in Padang Panjang. To capture the best shots, 50 crew members had to lift the Rumah Gadang, a traditional West Sumatra house, to the desired position requested by the director.

5. Most of the Ad Crew were Foreign Nationals

Irfan Wahid added that during that time, most of the ad crew, from directors to cameramen to lighting staff, were foreign nationals from the UK, Hong Kong, and Australia. The only Indonesians in significant positions were Mira Lesmana as the Executive Producer and Irfan Wahid as the Assistant Director.

However, nowadays, there are many talented Indonesian advertising companies that possess high-quality skills and creativity, including AdLink SineMedia, which has successfully penetrated international markets by featuring Indonesian products in various Korean and Chinese dramas.

So, can you finally sleep soundly after learning these 30-year-old secrets? 

Sources:

1. Dwi, J. (2024). Revealed: This is How the Legendary RCTI Ads Were Made! Accessed on October 20, 2024 via https://www.idntimes.com/hype/viral/juan-dwi/begini-proses-pembuatan-iklan-rcti-jadul-yang-legend?page=all 

2. Hafidha, S. I. (2024). 5 Unique Facts About RCTI Ads from the Past, Most of the Crew Were Foreign Nationals. Accessed on October 20, 2024 via https://www.liputan6.com/hot/read/5537211/5-fakta-unik-iklan-rcti-oke-zaman-dahulu-sebagian-besar-kru-wna?page=6 

3. DNVB Indonesia. (2024). In 1995, Without Drones, Without Generator Help, HOW?. Accessed on October 20, 2024 via https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBOnvmthxw-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==