Valofirma - The Light House

22/12/2025

“I’m Dan Sykes, and I work as a best boy. My first job in lighting was in 2009, and I’ve been part of the lighting department for the past 16 years. I started my career in film and TV in the UK before moving to Finland.

In recent years my career has taken me into the international industry, working across Northern Europe and Scandinavia on fiction film and television. Depending on the scale of the project, my role moves between best boy and electrician, which strongly influences my toolkit.

Each project is unique, and what I bring adapts to the needs of the job: PPE, heavy-duty safety gear, and specialty rigging tools for crane work and working at heights; pipe and metal cutting tools for special rigging; and electrical testing and wiring tools for practicals and repairs. Preparedness and adaptability matter most—especially what will make my life easier when things go wrong. That’s the philosophy behind my kit.

My latest additions are lighting data and transmission tools. After a frustrating shoot, I reflected on what the right solution would have been and asked myself how to get data from A to B when B is hundreds of meters away or blocked by obstacles. Technologies used in other industries offered answers. Antennas from telecommunications and a basic understanding of networks now allow me to cover large areas with Art-Net and transmit data over kilometres.

It’s not about having the newest or shiniest gear. My kit has grown throughout my career and evolved alongside my skills—some original pieces are still in use from my earliest jobs.

My most important tools are my eyes and ears. On set, situational awareness reveals what needs to happen and how. Much problem-solving can be done before stepping onto set by asking questions and studying the project. Some jobs require learning new skills or creating your own solutions. Growth and personal development are essential to a deeper understanding of lighting. I could lose all my tools tomorrow, but I’d still have the skills and experience gained.”

17/12/2025

🎄Christmas Opening Hours at Valofirma🎄

Please note our holiday hours:

🔺Dec 23 – Closed

🔺Dec 24–26 – Closed

🔺Dec 31 – Open 07:30–12:00

Wishing everyone a peaceful Christmas and a bright New Year ✨

16/12/2025

“I’m Annika Miettinen, and I work as a cinematographer. I graduated with a Master’s degree in Film from Aalto University last spring. I shot my first short film alongside my studies in 2020, so I’ve been working in the field for about five years.

I work across a wide range of productions, from fiction to documentary, and the scale of each project varies greatly. Sometimes I’m on set on my own, and other times I’m surrounded by a full team of skilled professionals in every department. I also shoot second unit for other cinematographers. Because of this, the equipment I bring to set changes significantly depending on the project.

Regardless of scale, there are things I never arrive on set without: a light meter, thoroughly prepared plans such as the script, call sheets, camera plots, shot lists, storyboards, and breakdowns, clothing suitable for the weather and terrain, knee pads, and personal essentials like a water bottle, medication, and cold gel. On my phone, the apps I use most are Artemis, Lumos, and Kodak Cinema Tools.

On projects where I work without a crew, I’m fully responsible for the equipment during the shoot, which means carrying the necessary tools and spare parts. In film productions especially, it’s essential to have extra cans, black bags, bobbins and materials for labeling and lab reports.

I also carry a bag with fabrics and materials for shaping light, practical bulbs and fuses. This kit is always built for each production, and for some projects I’ve made custom filters or reflectors that travel with me.

For me the most important goal is to create calm, so that I and the rest of the team can focus fully on capturing the story. I do a lot of testing in prep to ensure technical confidence while also supporting the artistic process. As I’m still relatively early in my career and often doing things for the first time, pre-production is where I can make up for experience I haven’t yet accumulated. Clear technical planning and being prepared for the conditions give me the space to stay present with the director, the actors, and the moment unfolding in front of the camera—and to protect the story we’re telling.”

08/12/2025

“I’m Tiina Pesonen, a producer of fiction feature films and drama series. I’ve been in the industry since 2008 and have worked as a producer for the past seven years. Before that, I worked in a wide range of production roles, starting as a production intern and gradually moving up to producing, always learning something new along the way.

My daily tools are mainly my phone and laptop, but there’s plenty more I carry with me to a shoot. I have pouches and bags filled with various items that support well-being: a brick-sized power bank, gum, painkillers, band-aids, sunscreen, and so on. My bag is a bit like Moominmamma’s, if you can’t find it there, you probably don’t need it.

My most important tools, however, are common sense and good conversational skills. In every production, the most important thing is that everyone feels heard. Open communication is something I’ve consciously been developing and want to carry with me from one production to the next.”

This photo series highlights independent filmmakers and the personal gear they always bring to set. Is there someone you’d like to see featured — or would you like to take part yourself?

Drop a comment below or send us a DM! ✨

03/12/2025

Winter is here! Power up your next adventure with our new SWIT Volta Pro 9kW portable battery. It’s weatherproof with an IP54 rating and cold-resistant down to –20°C, making it ideal for demanding locations. The unit is both daisy-chainable and hot-swappable.

It features 2 × AC 230V outputs (2400W total) and 3 × DC 48V (3-pin XLR) outputs (720W each). A perfect all-rounder for any department — from powering lights and cranes to feeding your charging stations.

Valofirma - The Light House is Finland’s leading film equipment rental house. We offer camera, lighting and grip equipment, crew, stages, trailers, and location services.

19/11/2025

"I’m Rauno Ronkainen, cinematographer, member of the Finnish Society of Cinematographers (F.S.C.), and Professor of Cinematography at Aalto University’s Department of Film.

I’ve worked in the industry since 1987. I began my career doing all kinds of production jobs, including working as an assistant for the director at a small commercial company. I spent years on set as both 2nd and 1st AC and as part of the lighting crew. Step by step, alongside work as a gaffer and camera operator, I eventually had the chance to shoot my first short films. Before film school, I completed YLE’s two-year camera program and worked at YLE as a tape operator and editor, while also shooting projects as a freelancer.

I’d never go to a shoot without my two waterproof gear bags, my folder containing all shooting plans, schedule and call sheet, a light meter, a collection of pens, knee pads, various gloves, spare base layers, warm and weatherproof clothing, proper footwear, a water bottle, and a phone equipped with Sun Seeker and Cadrage. I want to be prepared to execute the plan — and to improve it right up until the last moment. Good planning and proper gear should never limit what the production needs.

My prep involves extensive artistic and technical planning. The folder includes the script with all my scene-by-scene notes, shot lists, lighting and camera movement notes, and floor plans for every scene. Some scenes also have dedicated storyboards. I include equipment lists, the schedule, breakdown, and crew list. One of the most important documents is the film’s score: a multi-page visual timeline detailing the key elements used to build the film’s visual drama."

This photo series highlights independent filmmakers and the personal gear they always bring to set. Is there someone you’d like to see featured — or would you like to take part yourself?

Drop a comment below or send us a DM! ✨

11/11/2025

“I’m Anna Vilppunen, a costume designer. I design costumes for films, TV series, and commercials. I occasionally do styling work as well and have designed gowns for events such as the Finnish Independence Day Gala. I’ve been working in the industry for about twenty years.

A costume designer or stylist must always be prepared for anything on set. Anticipation is everything. I try to think through all possible scenarios in advance and be ready for them, from changing weather conditions and unexpected stains to last-minute creative changes. I always bring far more costume options than I’ll likely need, because plans can shift, a performer might need a different size, or the director might suddenly want a new color or style.

My on-set kit always includes sewing tools, scissors, a seam ripper, buttons, tapes, textile glue, a steamer, a hairdryer, aging materials, markers, a headlamp, an umbrella, a towel — and more. The most essential tool (besides patience and a good sense of humor) is probably my micro stitch tagging gun — a small device that shoots tiny plastic fasteners. It’s perfect for quickly shortening hems or pant legs and keeping ties or scarves in place. It makes on-set work much faster since there’s no need to sew everything by hand.”

This photo series highlights independent filmmakers and the personal gear they always bring to set. Is there someone you’d like to see featured — or would you like to take part yourself?

Drop a comment below or send us a DM! ✨

06/11/2025

“I’m Saana Kukkavaara, 2nd Assistant Camera. I’ve been working as a freelancer for five years, after spending a couple of years at Kamerafirma as a camera technician. My personal gear is there to support 1st ACs and other camera department needs. I find it important to have the tools that enable me to maintain and service equipment, keep things organized, and work independently when needed. In fast-paced situations, I want to be able to react quickly, which requires a systematic setup so I can locate the necessary tools immediately.

In addition to those tools, my kit includes the standard 2nd AC essentials, such as various slates and T-marks — the latter probably being my most used items. For me, the most essential pieces of equipment are my assistant bags and pouches, which make it possible to stay organized and keep the gear compact and mobile even in more challenging locations.”

This photo series highlights independent filmmakers and the personal gear they always bring to set. Is there someone you’d like to see featured — or would you like to take part yourself?

Drop a comment below or send us a DM! ✨

28/10/2025

“I’m Teemu Koivisto, a 1st Assistant Camera and focus puller. I’ve been working as an AC for 20 years. My philosophy with my personal gear is that it should support providing the best possible service for productions — and while that means having a lot of equipment, it ensures my setup works in any situation. I always bring my full kit with me, even though I only rent out what the production and DOP specifically need for each project. All crucial items — such as hand units, motors, monitors, and chargers — have at least one backup. This way, any technical issues are unlikely to cause major delays on set.

My kit also includes a few special components that might only come in handy once a year — but when they do, they can save the day. These are the items I’ve almost gotten rid of during gear overhauls, and I’m always glad I didn’t.

Having CAD (Computer-Aided Design) skills has become increasingly useful, especially combined with my own 3D printing setup. I’ve designed and created custom technical solutions to support my gear whenever something I need isn’t available elsewhere.”

This photo series highlights independent filmmakers and the personal gear they always bring to set. Is there someone you’d like to see featured — or would you like to take part yourself?

Drop a comment below or send us a DM! ✨

22/10/2025

“I’m Kimi Seppänen, a film location manager and location scout. I’ve worked in the film industry for 40 years. Back in the day, I started in the art department, later moved to the SFX department, and in the mid-90s transitioned to working in locations. Since the late 90s, I’ve mainly focused on location management and scouting. Nowadays, my trusted tool is my drone — it has made scouting and presenting locations to productions so much easier.”

This new photo series highlights filmmakers and the personal gear they always bring to set. Despite Kimi working in-house, in this series want to showcase independent freelance film crew members. Is there someone you’d like to see featured — or would you like to take part yourself?

Drop a comment below or send us a DM! ✨

24/09/2025

TONTTU trailer is here! 🎄 We're happy to have been a part of the ride ✨🛷

Tonttu-elokuva kertoo tarinan sisaruksista, Lumista ja Talvista, jotka joutuvat lapsena eroon toisistaan. Siskoaan etsiessään Lumi päätyy tonttumaahan, missä...

12/09/2025

New ideas meet. 🎬 This year’s Screen Helsinki brought together Finnish film and TV professionals with keynotes, panels, and networking at BioRex Lasipalatsi. We were once again honored to help make this event possible and to present the Vuoden Screen -teko award. This year, the award went to NTRNZ Creative for their production Vaietut Arktiset Sodat.

Here are the jury’s remarks:

Vaietut arktiset sodat is a Finnish documentary series that has achieved exceptionally broad international distribution, sold to over 100 countries. The series unveils Arctic wartime events in an unprecedented way and stands out clearly from other productions dealing with World War II. It is an ambitious, international-level production that sparked wide global interest even before its release. NTRNZ Creative has boldly pushed its own vision and expertise, succeeding in today’s market by creating original non-fiction content that has attracted vast audiences both in Finland and abroad.

🏆 Voittajat 2025

Vuoden Musiikkioivallus – Aurinko laskee Lemmenjoella / Danish Bear Productions

Vientipalkinto Hulda – Anima Vitae

Soihdunkantaja – Jasper Pääkkönen

Vuoden Screen-teko – NTRNZ Creative & Vaietut arktiset sodat

Vuoden elokuvatuottaja – Jani Pösö, 100 litraa sahtia / It’s Alive Films

A huge congratulations to all the awardees, and thank you from our side as well to all participants ❤️ Photos: Miikka Varila