Virtual Production Talks with Valofirma and Laskos

Members of the Cutting Edges project from Turku University of Applied Sciences (TurkuUAS) visited Helsinki-based camera rental company Valofirma to meet with two seasoned professionals: Antti Ahokoivu and Karri Takala. Representing TurkuUAS were Marko Luukkonen and Tommi Lehtonen.

The goal of the visit was to hear thoughts on virtual production (VP) from these two industry leaders, both of whom have been exploring VP possibilities from the early days.

Meet the Experts

Antti Ahokoivu is an active Director of Photography and also runs Laskos, a company specializing in previsualization and pre-production planning. Antti entered the virtual production scene during the COVID pandemic and has since worked as a VP supervisor on various commercial productions. He also teaches Aalto University’s VP workshops.

Karri Takala works as a grip at Valofirma Staff Rentals. His specialty lies in motion-controlled camera systems, particularly the TechnoDolly—a motion-controlled robotic camera system.

Together, Antti and Karri have conducted extensive testing to integrate TechnoDolly cameras with Unreal Engine. This setup eliminates the need for external camera tracking systems and, as a bonus, allows for precise and repeatable camera movements.

Insights from the Field

During the excursion, we had interesting discussions about how the COVID era, despite its many challenges, opened new opportunities in film production. For instance, it encouraged smaller crew sizes, remote directing, and virtual client reviews—some of which have remained in standard practice.

Virtual production is reshaping the traditional production workflow. One major shift is the need to start planning earlier, especially when it comes to LED content. This change in mindset was one of the driving forces behind the founding of Laskos.

Why Previsualization Matters

Previsualization (previz) is more than just a buzzword—it’s a critical step in modern production. Laskos focuses on precise script breakdown, storyboarding, and animatics, ensuring that every shot is planned before stepping on set. This level of detail helps directors and cinematographers visualize complex sequences, test camera moves and anticipate technical challenges.

Previz also enables teams to be experimenting and planning with lighting, composition, and timing in a virtual environment, reducing costly surprises during shooting. For productions using LED walls or virtual sets, this early planning is essential to avoid mismatched perspectives or last-minute content changes.

Background Plates: A Hidden Hero

Another area where Laskos excels is producing background plates before principal photography. These high-resolution environmental shots—captured on location or virtually—are used for green screen compositing or LED wall playback. By preparing plates in advance, productions can lock in lighting and perspective, saving time on set and ensuring seamless integration in post-production.

Looking Ahead

While the industry’s adaptation to virtual production has been slower than expected the need for detailed previsualization and early planning is undeniable. As tools and workflows mature, companies like Laskos and Valofirma are paving the way for smarter, more efficient productions.

Big thanks to Antti and Karri for the inspiring conversations and generous sharing of their expertise. We look forward to seeing how their innovative work continues to shape the future of virtual production in Finland and beyond.