09/06/2026
“I’m Aki Ruostepuro, and I worked as Key Grip on the upcoming John Rambo feature film in Thailand, directed by Jalmari Helander and shot by Mika Orasmaa. Several Finnish professionals joined the production, including Head of Makeup Salla Yli-Luopa, SFX Supervisor Konsta Mannerheimo, and Director’s Assistant Nina Erwes.
I became a grip by accident. While on sick leave due to a wrist injury, I was offered a job driving a makeup bus for Rölli. That led to working as a grip assistant under Tommi Tikanoja, where I learned the basics of the craft. I’ve now worked in the industry for 14 years.
My path to Rambo came through long-term collaboration with Jalmari Helander on several productions, and even before Sisu 2, I knew a strong performance could open this door. Rambo was a mid-sized international production with a grip team of 13 and a total crew of over 500. The tropical jungle environment caused fewer issues than expected. The main challenges were heat, equipment overheating, and keeping the crew hydrated.
Compared to Finnish productions, the biggest difference was scale: more people, more equipment, and longer preparation periods. Every setup was carefully tested in advance, which made shooting days very efficient. One of the most memorable moments was a demanding crane shot under intense pressure. At one point I wished someone else would take it, but when we nailed the shot, the feeling was extremely rewarding.
Action films are more demanding in almost every way—heavier gear, more complex locations, and frequent use of effects like fire, water, dust, heights, and explosions. This makes planning and safety absolutely critical. Despite language barriers, my crew was highly skilled, hardworking, and cooperative, and this applied across departments. Finnish strengths in international productions, in my view, are reliability, humility, and strong work ethic. We keep our promises and avoid unnecessary noise or overstatement—qualities that are valued everywhere.
My advice to newcomers is: do every job well enough to earn the next one. Consistency, professionalism, and reputation are the foundation of a long career, both in Finland and internationally.”
