#bbgcareerstories

[blockbustersgang]

Mask on, mask off

This post was written by our Costume Designer Sofia Kouvo.

We can all probably agree that the past year was somewhat challenging. 

While working on the creative field is always pretty unpredictable, the roaming pandemic took things and the whole industry to a whole new level.

In the spring of 2020 the industry stopped. Almost all the productions got either paused or completely post-poned and it felt like the only productions still running were the news and the Finnish soap opera Secret Lives. 

Luckily both the goverment and the industry were quick to react and after a brief lockdown (which felt like forever) productions began starting up slowly again. The pandemic made everyone create new working methods to secure safety while filming and I think the make-up and costume departments were the ones really going through a change. 

We learned how to guide the actors through walkie talkies to fix their costumes on set, distanced ourselves in the dressing room, created very specific instructions for the extras to avoid the whole dressing up process on set and last but not least learned how to put the mics on the actors (hats off to the sound team, you’re amazing!).

Learning to work with a mask on at the shooting of Aikuiset 2 on summer 2020.

That being said, I feel myself lucky to have been able to work in such great productions despite the challenging year. In the summer I got together with the brilliant genious and another gang member Kaisa to film the second season of Aikuiset. I designed a sequel to the Swedish highschool comedy Virala Genier and after the summer I hopped straight to the third season of the crime series Deadwind. 

Make up -bus at the shooting of Karppi 3 on fall 2020.

Even though the new ways of working challenged everyone and forced people to break their old habits, I feel like some of the new methods were a very welcomed changes in our industry (wearing a mask NOT being one of them…). 

Having some challenges with the visibility... Gotta love the combo of a mask & eye glasses!

The way how the whole industry stood up together to take actions to fight the pandemic and defend our creative work showed how passionate and most of all innovative people I’m lucky to call my colleagues are. 

For me the new year starts with a little breather and time to figure out what challenges to tackle next.

I hope things will get back to normal soon and we can all get together and celebrate the amazing creativity of the art of film making and most of all the powerful and loving community! (a girl can always dream, right?).

So here’s to the new year and the new exciting productions and adventures to come! 🥂

Love, 

Sofia 

[blockbustersgang]

Internship - Gang Social Media and Content Creation Intern, Ellis

My name is Ella-Roosa, but almost everyone who knows me, calls me Ellis. I am a third and last-year Hospitality Management student from Espoo. In addition to studying, I work in Alko, so I know quite a lot about wines. I enjoy taking walks in nature with my dogs in my free time, going to the gym, taking beautiful nature photos, and singing. Sometimes I also play the piano.

I started as a Gang Social Media & Content Creation Intern at Blockbusters Gang on the 1st day of March. My first day at BBG was an intensive orientation day, as on the very second day, I joined the filming of a new Finnish TV series. It was exciting to get involved in the industry right away! I have always been interested in this industry and wanted to see how TV series and movies are made.

This internship was originally supposed to include mainly taking pictures in various TV and film productions where BBG's Members are working. However, due to the prevailing pandemic situation, my job description has changed a bit. The restrictions imposed by the pandemic prevented the opportunity to participate in most of the filmings, so now, I've been working primarily in producing written content and assisting with office work.

I have liked my job here a lot, which has even led me to consider making a career as a content producer. These three months have included maintaining BBG's social media accounts, content creation, and familiarization with the industry and industry practices. I have also learned a little about accounting, and other helpful things. Besides learning many new things, maintaining social media accounts in English has awakened my English language skills, which I haven't actively needed for a while!

The time at BBG has gone incredibly fast, with only two days left! I'm so excited about the several new skills I have gained from this internship, and it has been a pleasure to work with great colleagues! However, in a couple of days, I will be heading towards new challenges. I hope all of you have a very relaxing summer!

Best regards, Ellis - BBG's Gang Social Media & Content Creation Intern

[blockbustersgang]

Neea’s summer 2020 at feature film production Luokkakokous 3

During 2020 I gained more knowledge and experience from the film industry and I developed as an employee. In fall and spring I spent most of my time at school studying cultural management. Three months of summer holiday from studies made it possible for me to take part in feature film production. And so all those three months were filled with work. The desire to get to work in the field was so strong that letting go of the summer holiday didn’t feel that bad.

It wasn’t granted that you could find a job with the COVID pandemic shaking up the industry and our daily lives generally. I’m thankful for being a member of Blockbusters Gang and for my network in the industry. Through Blockbusters Gang I was offered a job for summer in a Solar Films’ feature film production Luokkakokous 3 - Sinkkuristeily.

Photo: Juho Korpela

In pre-production, I worked in the production department as a Production Assistant. I moved into the assistant directing team in the role of 3rd Assistant Director as the shooting period began. During the shoot, my job included taking care of the actors and extras, for example. I was given new kinds of assignments and more responsibility compared to my previous productions. I have a huge motivation to develop my skills to be better when working towards my dreams. Besides studying the film industry, the work experience is also very beneficial. In this production, I learned many new things that wouldn’t have been possible to learn by reading a book. For example, stress management is a skill needed in the film industry, and the best way to train it is through working at the film shoot. Confidence in my skills kept growing.

The summer went by quickly while working. Luokkakokous 3 was such an amazing production. The film was produced in a professional and passionate manner. All the departments worked well together to reach their shared goal. The shooting went well although there were challenges such as the COVID pandemic. I’m looking forward to seeing the end result on the big screen in the spring.

As one more positive thing that I’d like to mention was our crew. The atmosphere at work was wonderful. I learnt a lot from my colleagues during the summer, both about the film industry and life in general. The work days went on well and the long shoot days didn’t feel too challenging either, thanks to the wonderful crew around us. I’m thankful that I had a chance to be a part of this production and its crew.

Neea and Luokkakokous 3 Hygiene Manager Ellen Sallankivi. Photo: Juho Korpela

Now in 2021, I’m looking back to the summer of 2020 and the work at Luokkakokous 3 with only warm thoughts. When you’ve found your perfect industry and job, you can really enjoy working. My experience in Luokkakokous 3 made me more confident that I’m going in the right direction. Of these good memories, it is great to continue further in the year 2021.

With warm regards,

Neea Havu

[blockbustersgang]

Year 2020 for a Production Assistant

This post was written by our Production Assistant Annina Juuso, who became an official member of Blockbusters Gang after graduating from our BBG Junior Program in February 2020.

Reflecting on the past year, it is clear that we all now share something that certainly hasn’t been an apparent problem for the workers of the film and media industry in a long time: a worldwide epidemic. Productions were shut down due to lockdown, beginning new shoots became risky and many of us lost our jobs. New questions on how the industry should, and moreover could, handle these sorts of situations now and in the future became the hot topic at every shoot I was employed at. Even with our newly put regulations, talk of what could be improved upon and which procedures weren’t enough was the daily lunch table conversation. Bonding over shared stress of a new problem that needed solving.

Compared to many people during the pandemic, I was very fortunate as I was employed through most of it. The year began in a normal manner with a short film and a few commercials here and there. The short film especially was a great chance for me to learn more and gave me a chance to take on a role that gave me more responsibility than usual. But so came March along with the lockdown; most shoots that were planned for the spring were postponed and so I too waited for the things to get better.

I also became an official member of the Blockbusters Gang this year! Looking stern and determined here in my official Gang-photo.

Come summer, procedures were established and productions got going for us at least here in Finland. After having worked on a commercial in pre-production as well as at the actual shoot, I was happy to hear an offer for the tv-series Cargo (in Finnish Rahti) for Fremantle Oy. Besides having an awesome crew to work with, I had a great production crew to help me grow as a film worker. Though the workload was heavy and the circumstances changed more than usual, I’m very happy with all we achieved.

Less than a day in between, I began a new project immediately after Cargo came to an end, this time as a runner for the television show Next of Kin (in Finnish Jälkeläiset). Having worked for Bufo Oy before (in the short film I mentioned above) I was happy to return to an already familiar company. Many new people and many great adventures. Being a runner was more slower paced in general which was a welcome change at that point, but the job still had its  busier days which gave me chances to challenge myself. The whole crew, again, was great and pulling together through the final bits of 2020 with them was amazing. I was also happy to see, with both tv-series I worked for, that people had quickly acclimated to this new work environment that COVID-19 had forced us into. The mask protocol was a given to all and general rules to keep up hygiene were followed of course.

Living the best life with my fellow Gang members. Here we are on the set of Cargo.

Now that 2020 has come to a close I really am excited for what is next, albeit still wary of the epidemic still ravaging many countries and communities. A new year is still something that can clear the slate from our previous worries and gives us all a chance to take a breath before starting anew. Being a bit of a dull realist, I still see the problems we still carry on from the previous year. However the view forward somehow seems brighter in the distance.

BR,

Annina

[blockbustersgang]

Looking back at 2020

Thoughts of the last year by our Co-Founder, 1st Assistant Director Iiris, who funnily enough has been working abroad for most of the time.

Highlights

I decided to highlight some of the fabulous people who’ve I’ve had on my AD teams this year. It seemed appropriate as people make the productions in the end. These three seemed to find their way on most of my productions - of which I need to be very very thankful.

Aino 

It’d been couple of years since we got to work on the same project in the same team. Feels like every new adventure we have - together or separately - brings us closer to same mindset. I do not recall having as much fun as we’ve had in the long nights of 2020 - starting from Night of the Living Dicks (short film), our event production in Berlinale NFFC UG Party (first festival event Aino managed fully herself on site!), then Memory of Water shoot in Estonia and Norway (feature we completed on two parts due to hitting pandemic) and now lastly our ongoing production in Sweden. She’s grown outstandingly and I feel like we’re equally challenged by our duties. It’s not only me being the supervisor, supporting her - she’s supporting me fully on my mission and covering for my weak spots when I need help. And she knows me inside and out - on good and bad. (At least she’s grown to find most of my jokes funny.)

Aino and Janne working on Night of the Living Dics short film by Bufo, picture taken by amazing Mitro Härkönen.

Janne

Oh boy oh boy how ready for action this gentleman was and how deep in it he got through 2020! Besides taking a lot of new duties and responsibilities on his shoulders in multiple new productions (Janne has grown to be a fantastic call sheet creator which is one of the most challenging tasks film production includes) he became a truly trusted team member of mine. After working on two complex short films - one filming 8 and one 9 days - and recreating all call sheets dozens of times, sometimes in the morning of the shoot, discussing through detailed FX make ups, animal wrangling, SFX works and VFX plates on his own I was even slightly afraid he’d ask Emma to work on someone elses team for a while. But luckily he’s been there for me on huge breakdowns by the end of year too - and I’d proudly take him on any upcoming project with me.

Emma H.

There aren’t many young talents who are ready to take in lots of new tasks, people and projects within a short period (how is it that always with me people get fully pulled to the deep end...) and also to listen to strict new rules and demands from their supervisors. Emma has been incredibly brave, smart and very independent already in the beginning. I was wondering if she’d find professional filmmaking limiting, too traditional, too by the book (even though it can be everything else) but she embraced what she learned, showed her humble attitude and understood so much more than what was asked. From an Intern visiting her first professional set she became a strong Assistant and even took her first step towards 2nd ADing one day by working on a student short film as one. Go Emma! I’m eagerly waiting to get back on set with her. (Ps. She also standed me as her roommate for 2 weeks on a shoot, which is quite much.)

Me, Janne and Emma on set of Mehiläiskesä (Summer of Bees) short film by Aalto University. Picture by great Atte Männikkö.

Challenges

The company - best and the worst

We truly thought 2019 gave us all we could handle but no - there came 2020 which didn’t save us from much. We’ve used our every penny, we’ve talked and counted through bankruptcy scenarios several times, we’ve had to lay off people, we’ve had some cherished gang members moving to their independent life and we’ve had harder negotiations with clients than ever. We’ve even talked if we’d just shut our doors because we as founders were too tired to figure out a way to get our business run better. Somehow through all this - and after extremely long phone discussion - we took some time to think. On the next call both me and Emma humbly stated “I’ve truly thought it through and I feel like I’m not ready to let go yet. There must be some weird adventures we should still join with this.” And that was it. Even when having a will to do something great we’ve still felt like we’d run out of all flow states and visions for it. Nothing to say, no new development ideas. However - when writing this we’ve just randomly had 6 hours on phone today while working remotely on our strategy and new webpage for next year. I cannot wait to get back home to Helsinki in March 2021 to make my share of this. YES! 

Greatest thanks to Paula, who became our Board Deputy Member and reminded us on what we as BBG have been, what we are and what we could be. She’s been a key on keeping us sane on some days.

Mine and Emma’s home office style.

Finding inspiration after understanding how much besides work there is 

After lockdown in Helsinki I found myself from a weird place, having slept and eaten well, exercised a little, spending time with my dogs and my partner more than ever before. I didn’t even realise how much of questioning it’s brought through the following months on how important work is and isn’t. It’s not made me love filmmaking any less - but it’s surely made me value other things more than I had before. Sometimes it’s brought me great challenges on getting motivated to do the part of my work that’s not as nice and fun as others. I’ve had to come up with new ways to both think and choose the work I commit myself to. 

Painting our office wall - Aino opening champagne to avoid getting desperate.

Victories 

My work language - English

This may be my yearly thought as it feels like each year I get more confidence and vocabulary. But it always feels like a victory itself (even when re-correcting the same mistakes especially on prepositions time after time) as I’ve hated this language all my childhood. Now I’m using it more than my native language - it’s strange what life brings to us...

Combining difficult productions, mandatory work and some creative time for our concept 

I’ve battled through this same equation since BBG was born and I feel like I’m getting closer to balance slowly but surely. It has a lot to do with having Anni and Emma keeping the firm up and running without me when I’m on duty somewhere else. Emma is my support network, sometimes telling me not to work any extra as I might break myself and sometimes taking some weight from my shoulders on things I feel like I should be doing instead. We’ve had some hilarious mistakes made (like ordering awful masks with BBG logo, one and only time any merch is confirmed without my approval) but we’ve made it through with jokes and good new decisions after.

Never giving up Finnish traditions though filming abroad! Klaffijallu Bufo’s style in Tallinn.

Having more relaxed and honest work-relationships than ever before

Interesting how this seems to come with age and experience. Or I hope it would come to all others as it’s coming to me. It’s been a huge relief I’ve not felt like I constantly need to prove my worth to anyone or cover mistakes each time I make one. I can honestly tell my team when I’m sad, overwhelmed or pissed which really helps on not allowing the feeling to fully take over (shoutout to my amazing teams - like Aino telling others in the office “sorry, Iiris is having her 3 minute meditation, you’re free to stand by and wait when she’s done”). I’ve had the best conversations with other HOD’s, Producers and Directors when being able to stay fully honest and humble. I’m not sure how long it’s taken to feel this way and how often I do not feel like it (as there are those days too) but I’m very happy of it and try my best to bring the similar feeling to my crew members as well. 

Lessons 

Communication is the key 

Is there even a possibility to highlight this enough? I feel like I’ve re-learned to send emails this year. Taking time to customise the contents and fill in the gaps on information flow. Obviously it’s not always possible - but usually it is.

Being honest (but humble) is important 

Getting back to one of my victories, this has truly shown it’s face to me on many ways. 

When you feel like you should stop - maybe you should 

Depressingly I wasn’t able to stand up or interfere on some things that I feel like I should have (for me, not others, thankfully) during one production. New year I’ll focus on having more courage on similar situations. 

We are all humans in the end 

The crew members who seem more experienced than anyone else in the world have been interns once too. Ones getting angry and frustrated get sad and low as well. The richest might feel poor, the most successful might see themselves as eternal failures. We are all human and we all face the same ups and downs - though it might sometimes seem like some of us are made of steel.

Getting to know Stockholm better - very happy though the weather was not on my side.

What I’m waiting from 2021 (besides hugging, kissing, travelling, going to movies and having large parties)  

filming something spectacular in Finland with as many of our gangers as possible

learning new tricks from new friends 

taking our whole team for dinner to celebrate our 7 years old network

time together in our office with Emma and Anni (ideally having tea together in the mornings, walking around Helsinki harbour at lunch and popping champagne on Friday nights)

Crossing my fingers at least some of these wishes would come true - and some of yours too.

Lots of love,

Iiris 

Co-Founder of BBG / 1st Assistant Director 

[blockbustersgang]

My first year at Blockbusters Gang

This post was written by our Gang HR & Operations Coordinator Anni, who started working with us on January this year. 

It is amazing how much you can learn in a very short time. When I started working at BBG in the beginning of this year I knew next to nothing about film making. My knowledge was limited to this: “There are actors, then the cinematographer, and a huge group of other people working behind the scenes. Everyone’s quite busy.” But I had no clue what exactly it was that they were doing.

I got to visit the shooting of one short film in February. My first time ever on set! 

In the first two months we sat down with all the BBG gang members (I can hardly remember those good old days when you didn’t have to think twice about inviting someone to visit the office!). During those meetings, we discussed about the past year, the coming year, career plans, dreams, and of course got to know each other! I learned a lot in those meetings. I got to meet many different professionals: Costume Designer, Lighting Technician, Scout, Production Coordinator, Caterer, Script Supervisor, Runner and 2nd Assistant Director to name a few! I had never heard about most of those positions before. But it didn’t matter. I was open minded and very curious to listen and learn. Working with people was familiar to me after all.

I think the most interesting thing in every meeting was to hear what everyone actually does - like all the million things you need to think about when making a film (but of which I had never given a second to think about). It was also interesting to hear what the reasons were for everyone for choosing this career and this industry. People had such different backgrounds. Just as it should be, as there are various routes into this industry.

Attending Voitto-gaala with Emma and Iiris, right before the COVID-19 hit us all.

BBG is full of people with a passion for what they do. In our gang, we have people in the beginning of their careers as well as strong professionals with a long background in the industry. What I think links us together is that we all want to improve not just ourselves but also the whole industry - we want to do things right and constantly better. As a very small company, we are agile and able to react to changes around us. When one of us gets an idea, we might start working on it on the same day. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the industry - and us - it took only two days for us to build a support campaign. In only two days we managed to create beautiful visuals (by lovely Tiia Öhman), ordered merches with said visuals on them, wrote a guide on how to create a good CV, and invented a few other immaterial support products, and put them up for sale online. And published the campaign.

Wearing our Support Your Local Gang -bag. I just absolutely LOVE the design by Tiia <3 

ps. Bags still available in our online-store!

One part of my job is of course to communicate with our customers. I get to talk with various production companies representatives almost daily. We talk about the upcoming productions and the customers needs. In addition to the fact that I enjoy following our employees' career steps, I also enjoy when I get to help our customers and find the right person to work with them. That really excites me! It may sound like a cliché, but the most important thing for me is a happy employee and a happy customer. Really.

Although I am still learning the multiple differences between the 1st, 2nd and 3rd AD, I feel like I’ve learnt a LOT about all the different positions in film making. And the more I learn, the more interesting it gets. Just like every other industry, this too has its challenges, but I hope my work will help develop the industry further.

Talking on a phone with a customer at our new office lounge. 

This year has been one of a kind. The global pandemic doesn’t only stop the productions and make people unemployed, but also affects people’s mental well-being. Let’s be kind and take care of each other and ourselves. There must be light at the end of the tunnel somewhere.

Love,

Anni

[blockbustersgang]

When work brings you new homes around the world

Thoughts of working abroad and lessons so far learned by our Co-Founder Iiris, working as an 1st Assistant Director, currently in Stockholm Sweden until mid-March 2021.

There was a time when I only fantasised of working outside Finland - or even just outside of Helsinki. I thought I’d never have the opportunity to be on a crew of any international productions and especially anything that’d be filming somewhere else than in Finland. 

Firstly this myth was broken when I joined Iron Sky team to work on the post production of extended cut of the film. Obviously I realised I’d jumped into a massive three counrty co-production, coordinating crews from Germany, Australia, Finland and even Slovenia. I was puzzled, over the moon. At 20 years old I found myself already accomplishing my dreams. 

Lesson #1 learned: dream cost-effectively, dream even of small things, like working on any international film, on any role. You may realise suddenly and very quickly you’ve already accomplished it. 

My first film markets as part of Iron Sky team, Berlinale & EFM 2013 and Cannes Film Festival & Marcé Du Film 2013.

After my work at Iron Sky I visited animation world quickly by being Director’s Assistant on Angry Birds Toon series. We had crew from dozens and dozens of countries on board - literally I’d hear a new accent every day when walking to the studio. I met top level animators, storyboard artists and directors of the world. Even though I wasn’t really doing exactly what I wanted I got lots and lots of practice on understanding leadership and different working cultures - not to mention animation workflow itself. 

Lesson #2: international productions aren’t that simple or easy. Actually they require two times more communication, to make sure everyone is on the same page though they’re not using their first language.

Farewell card and Rovio team card with office breakfast in 2014. Still miss these amazing, crazy and inspiring animators!

I would have maybe never understood my potential unless there’d been Production Value workshop that was recommended to me. It was truly jump to the deep end, I felt like I’d die of the scare I had, that I’d never be as good as all the rest in the workshop. Still to this day I have no idea how I got in as I didn’t have that much experience. But somehow someone saw something in me and this is the pure reason why no one should ever stop trying to chase their dreams. 

“It has become very clear to me it was a step to the right direction and has given me more confidence and skills than I (or anyone else) realised. Suddenly I do understand making films outside Finland will be possible for me and there is no limit when I just keep on going. I never really thought about this so far but now it feels making my first international co-production in the AD department could be just around the corner.”

This is what I wrote to my final report in the beginning of 2015 when completing my training. I’m deeply thankful for getting that sparkle in.

Soon after I’d finished my work at Rovio began an era I truly started my 1st AD work on professional films. On the first years I was the most frustrated of only landing in domestic productions, not getting to widen my ideas of ADing, sometimes being even arrogant on thinking these wouldn’t educate or challenge me enough. I made enough mistakes to get real and understand every single production teaches me. I am never ready. I always have things to learn. 

Fast forwarding to lesson #3: even domestic teaches you to be more ready for international stuff. Work.

I think the first time I ran a professional, large scale set outside Finland was in 2016 for some commercials in Estonia. I didn’t have much time to prepare and I knew no one in the crew. I was more or less horrified - and lucky, as it went well. I found solutions I could offer and met some people who later became my good friends (also tell a Finn who doesn’t love jumping into an Estonian set and meeting old schoolers who know how to speak Finnish with them, with the lovely, warm Estonian accent). But my real stepping stone was filming feature film Heavy Trip in Norway in 2017. 

Dear lord I had craved for a production like that. I was thrilled. I loved every second. And somehow besides the chaos it all just went very well in the end (at least for me as a 1st AD). We were exactly on time and figured out massive plan B’s and C’s when needed. Yes it was rough. It wasn’t a surprise these things mostly are. But I noticed my energy being many levels up compared to former productions. Somehow the multi-nationality crews and locations further away keep my heart beating stronger and lungs breathing clearer.

Last night feels before my first shooting day in Norway as 1st AD. 

Since that everything just moved rather quickly and now I’ve run sets in Sweden, Estonia, United States and Djibouti. After Heavy Trip I only did one domestic feature - all others have included filming abroad and at least two countries co-producing. More or less all other productions have somehow had an international aspect on them. I’ve also loved filming international projects in Finland. 

I think one of the key factors of me getting to do these projects I’ve so massively wanted to participate is that I really put a lot of energy, time and money into understanding filmmaking outside Finland. No one will come and get me from my home, right. So I’ve stepped out, humbly joined events and conversations, made a fool of myself, learned so much of networking and taken my English to a new level while working and working and working on it. (Still not perfect, unfortunately.)

Giving a lecture of 1st Assistant Directing in Greenwich University January 2017. Would not have had the chance unless amazing former Intern Luisa would not have suggested me as a guest lecturer to her teachers.

Lesson #4: Networking matters. It might be someone surprising who gives you the next opportunity to show your skills and talent. 

My first shoot in the States as 1st AD - Iron Sky the Coming Race pick ups with Digital Sputnik in LA May 2018.  

Lesson #5: Jump in to every crazy, stupid, badly paid production if you feel like it’ll give you something more than others. 

Working Together workshop gang in the end of 2018. Never stepped this strongly out of my comfort zone. Not only changed me as a filmmaker - but also as a human. 

Lesson #6: European organisations offer fantastic professional trainings for filmmakers and many countries (like Finland) offer scholarships or funding for them to participate. Invest some time to look for these and apply!

On-set friends in Estonia and Djibouti in 2019. 

I must say - after four features in a row outside my home country - that working abroad can be quite exhausting. I’m missing home and I appreciate Helsinki lot more than I used to. I’ve always felt it as my home but now I really know it’s got a special place in my heart. I'm actually really looking forward getting back home and working in Finland for a change. I’m really enjoying speaking in English though - which my mom must find very amusing as I absolutely hated studying any languages in school - and am wishing I can keep evolving my language skills even when getting back to Finland. 

Ah - I’ve tried to learn other languages too. When leaving to Djibouti last fall 2019 I’d been studying French for 2 months. Let’s just say I only got to say hello, how are you, thank you and good night. And in Sweden it’s been a bunch of all three languages I can somehow speak - everyone else speaking Swedish together (I can follow up around 60-70% of discussions) and English to me and me trying to balance with my elementary Swedish that translates to Finnish in my brain but still mainly talking English. It's been lots of work for my brain.

Lesson #7: Working on other languages and within other cultures might be exhausting no matter how much you enjoy it. Try to rest more than usual. Tell your family and friends you might be more tired than normally and ask for additional support if needed.

I don’t think I’ll ever satisfy into not having the world open anymore. Covid-19 is truly testing my limits on all levels - work and personal ones. I don’t need to travel at all times or only work on big sets. I was very happy just at home with my dogs and spouse for two months last spring during lockdown. But there’s so much to see - so why not go when having a chance. 

I recommend you all: take that chance. Make a little effort to get the first one, and the next ones will follow. 

With love from eternal dreamer, 

Iiris 

[blockbustersgang]

Working as an Assistant Director Trainee

This post is written by Sanni Juhela who’s worked as an Assistant Director Trainee at Blockbusters Gang from September to November in 2020.

Before my internship began I hoped I would get to learn all kinds of different aspects of the Assistant Director’s job. Now that my internship is coming to an end I feel like that has definitely happened. I’ve got the chance to work in multiple productions and steadily with the help of more experienced AD’s got to try everything from making call sheets and scheduling productions to working on set and directing background actors. Some of these things were completely new to me and felt difficult at first but became easier as I was given many opportunities to practise.

I got to work on the set of two short films produced by Aalto University – Äidin viha and Manian lapset. Both shorts had lovely crews and working atmospheres and although I wasn’t a university student myself I was welcomed with open arms. Night shoots were sometimes slightly draining for me but there too the good atmosphere helped. This showed as a general positive attitude, constant helping of others and for example in the form of dancing (or more like awkwardly flailing around) in between takes to stay warm.

Fortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic had less of an impact on my internship period than what I originally feared it might. Wearing a mask, using hand sanitizer and disinfecting certain objects that needed to be handled by multiple people became routine very quickly and effortlessly. There were a few days when I worked remotely from home but since the guidance for my tasks were clear and help always readily available through phone calls or messages, I quite enjoyed the process.

All in all, this internship has given me a clear and extensive overview of what it is to be an Assistant Director and brought many lovely people to my life that I wish to work with in the future. It has been enlightening to be able to closely follow how experienced assistant directors work and handle various, sometimes unexpected, situations. I’ve enjoyed this journey immensely and will without a doubt be pursuing a career as an AD.

- Sanni

[blockbustersgang]

Series from TV and for work

This post was written in April by our Production Intern / Caterer Emma “Eme” Ahola of her experiences in Cargo TV series shoot in early Spring of 2020. 

**You will find the post in Finnish below.**

Have you ever dreamed about working in media industry? While you were a child, did you thought that all the people in television are beautiful, handsome, important and it seems like they are having fun all the time. During the live shows they are talking about the Camera man and the Director but they never show up. Who are they and what they are doing? They must be some cool guys and working with them must be very fun and easy, every single time.

March 2020, Helsinki

It’s 2AM and I’m standing in the middle of the empty street wearing safety west. My job is literally stopping the traffic. It’s raining, I’m feeling cold because I’m not wearing enough warm clothes and my shoes are wet. We are all waiting that one running car from the private yard is leaving. 1st Assistant Director is telling us to tell them to leave faster. Car is finally leaving and we are going to shoot. We need to be quiet all the time while shooting. Catering is served from back of the van and we do not have a toilet. Shootings are done and I really need to go to the toilet. Thank God next to our location is children’s hospital. Doorbell is ringing and the door opens. There is nobody inside. I’m heading to the toilet. Suddenly someone is knocking on the toilet’s door. Nurse is standing behind the door and she started to ask questions about who I’m and what I’m doing in there. I explained the facts and she let me go. On the way back to the location I was thinking that working in this industry is always fun and easy. Yeah right...?

Days like that came after that many times. I believe that everyone working in media industry knows what those kinds of days can be. Anyway, I learned how to dress up well enough. I used to think that working media industry is kind of shine and glorious before I started BBG’s Junior Program. For example, I didn’t understand how many tasks there could be in the shooting location. Biggest realization was hierarchy and how strict it is. At first, I thought that the hierarchy is too strict but I learned through practice that how useful hierarchy really is. Second realization was that watching filmed materials from the monitors can be quite boring without all the music and other stuff. There I realized that how much effort people are putting for filmmaking and the final result is art. 

When working in production department must be prepared for anything. During one day I have been stopping the traffic, acting as a background extra, did some catering, helped set crew and other departments when I was working as a Production Intern. Amazing! How precious experience is that for person who is new in the industry. I’m very passionate about media industry and can’t wait for the next gig!

I hope that in the future I’m professional and my calendar is fully booked. In the near future I hope working with movies. I would love to learn more Assistant Directors role that I could help them better and be one of them one day maybe.

- Eme

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Sarjoja TV:ssä ja töissä

Olet ehkä haaveillut työskenteleväsi televisio-ohjelmien parissa? Lapsena ajattelit, että tv:ssä esiintyvät tyypit ovat kauniita, komeita, tärkeitä ja heillä näyttää aina olevan hauskaa. Suorissa ja tosi tv-ohjelmissa puhutaan jostain kameramiehistä ja ohjaajasta. Heitä ei kuitenkaan koskaan näy. Ketä he ovat, mitä he tekevät ja ketä muita kameran takana on? Heidän täytyy olla jotain cooleja tyyppejä ja työskentely on varmasti tosi hauskaa ja helppoa aina.

Maaliskuu 2020, Helsinki

Kello on kaksi yöllä ja seison huomioliiveissä keskellä tyhjää suljettua katua liikenteenpysäyttäjänä. Sataa vettä, on kylmä, liian vähän vaatetta ja märät kengät. Kaikki odotetaan, että yksityisellä pihalla käynnissä oleva auto lähtee. Apulaisohjaaja pyytää radiopuhelimen välityksellä voisiko joku mennä toistamiseen hätyyttämään sitä autoa pois. Se auto vihdoin lähtee ja kaikkien pitää olla hiljaa koska kuvataan. Meidän catering tarjoillaan pakettiauton perästä ja meillä ei ole vessaa. Saadaan kuvaukset purkkiin ja vessahätä on kova. Onneksi parin sadan metrin päässä on lastensairaalan päivystys, jonne suuntaan vessaan. Ulko-ovi on lukossa, mutta aukeaa ovikellon soidessa. Ketään ei näy missään ja menen vessaan. Kohta joku koputtaa vessan oveen ja tulee melkein läpi. Avaan oven ja sen takana oleva hoitaja kyselee kuka olen ja mitä teen. Selitän kuvauksista ja kerroin ettei meillä ole vessaa. Selitys hyväksytään ja poistun. Mietin siinä matkalla takaisin kuvauspaikalle, että tätäkö tämä nyt sitten on: helppoa ja hauskaa aina. Jep.

Yllä mainitun kaltaisia päiviä tuli vielä paljon ja ne on tuttuja varmasti jokaiselle alalla työskentelevälle. Opin, miten kannattaa pukeutua ja että varavaatteita on hyvä olla mukana. Ennen BBG:n Junior -ohjelmaa minulla oli hyvin kaunisteltu kuva alasta, enkä ymmärtänyt alan monimuotoisuutta. Suurimpana yllätyksenä tuli alalla vallitseva hierarkia ja sen merkitys. Aluksi teoriapohjalta oli hieman vaikeaa käsittää, miksi hierarkia on niin tiukka. Käytännössä merkitys aukeni ja siitä tuli ymmärrettävä. Toisena yllätyksenä tuli, että monitoreista katsottava kuvamateriaali on ajoittain tylsää. Siinä huomasi, kuinka iso merkitys jälkituotannolla on sarjoja tehtäessä. Valmis materiaali käsiteltynä musiikin ja muiden tehosteiden kanssa on taidetta usean ihmisen työpanoksen jälkeen.

Tuotantoihmisenä on varauduttava kaikkeen, työtehtävät voivat muuttua lennosta päivän aikana hyvinkin nopeasti ja monta kertaa. Kuinka jännittävää, jokainen työpäivä on kuin seikkailu, eikä tiedä mitä odottaa. Olen tähän mennessä päässyt mm. liikenteenpysäyttäjäksi, avustajaksi, cateraajaksi, lavastus- ja järjestysosaston apukädeksi ja muihin juokseviin hommiin tittelillä tuotantoharjoittelija. Ihan mahtavaa! Ollut ihan kullan arvoista kokemusta jokainen päivä ja olen oppinut todella paljon. Intohimoni alaa kohtaa sen kun kasvaa, enkä malta odottaa seuraavaa keikkaa!

Toivon tulevaisuudessa olevani alan rautainen ammattilainen, jonka kalenteri on aina tuotantoja täynnä. Lähitulevaisuuden haaveissa on olla mukana tuottamassa pitkää elokuvaa. Haluaisin oppia lisää apulaisohjaajien työnkuvista, jotta voisin auttaa heitä tarvittaessa ja ehkä jopa itsekin toimia joskus samalla tittelillä.

- Eme

[blockbustersgang]

Working as a Production Trainee

This post is written by Venla, our part time Office Assistant and Production Trainee who was working in a TV series production called Justimus Duo for August and September of 2020.

Last August I was working a bit over a month in a comedy TV series called  Justimus Duo season 2 as a Production Trainee. The production was hectic: although the shooting days were on average 8 hours long, they included loads of shots.

This meant quick transitions, last minute changes, swift adapment and problem solving. I really got to practice my pressure resistance which I have found very useful to myself. Our first day of shooting included a location on a cruiser ship which was available for a limited amount of time, schedule was tight and there were of course the talents and background actors to take care of. It was crucial to keep calm and prioritize. From this I gained lots of self confidence and courage. On busy days it was important for me to be alert: if I couldn’t think of anything to help with I asked straight away how could I help. And there was almost always something I could do. On shooting days it was my duty to drive actors from a location to another. I also helped out our Production Coordinator both with casting the background actors and directing them on set. That taught me how to handle and communicate with bigger groups of people.

During the production I got to see what it is like to make a TV series during a pandemic: you have to be extremely careful and keep an eye on the health of your own and the closest people around you. This was important for me especially because I spent a lot of time in a car, driving actors from one place to another. Face masks and hand sanitizer became close friends to me very quickly.

Despite the hecticness, the atmosphere of our crew was always warm and light: we were making comedy after all. I noticed how big of an impact a positive attitude has because even on the busiest days I arrived home tired but feeling lucky and happy. With the lovely people I worked with I could jump to another production at any time without hesitation!

Production Intern Office Assistant

[blockbustersgang]

Fall Junior Programmers have been busy at work this summer already as Eme jumped on 2nd season of @justimusfilms TV series by @solarchannel as Caterer and Venla as Production Intern. Very proud of their growth and motivation to learn more. Finland needs more of good filmmakers as productions keep building up - new edition of Junior Program has definitely been in our talks for a while... #bbgjuniorprogram #newtalents (at Helsinki) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGIG5cJhobK/?igshid=5mz33ks17q45

[blockbustersgang]

Working as a Runner / Runnerin työstä

This post is written by Viola, our former BBG Junior Program participant who’s started her fist job as a Runner in March 2020. Before this Viola has been gathering experience on couple productions as a Production Trainee. Runner's job usually contains creating and planning driving lists, informing actors about pick-up times, taking care of your car and of course driving actors from home to locations and back. This can vary project to another. There’d usually paperwork as well like filling driving log or filing similar documents. Job itself isn’t that difficult but you have to stay sharp and handle the responsibility. Usually runner drives actors or crew and is responsible for taking them safely and in time to destination. In some productions the runners are mostly occupied by running errands which can me picking up different stuff like food for the crew and cast. 

It’s important to keep track of working hours and make sure to get enough sleep. I’ve also noticed it’s good to take brakes between driving long distances to make sure concentration doesn’t drop. It’s usually good to keep an eye on changing weather so if it gets worse you can prepare the next drive might take some extra time. For example, once it took me about 15 minutes to drive 4 minutes distance because of bad weather and an accident. Of course there is going to be surprises and unexpected situations but then we just have to work with what we get.

Working as a Runner is fun if you like to drive and interact with people. I’ve witnessed really beautiful sunrises, met really interesting people but for a balance I’ve also been fighting with a gas tank cap for nearly 15 minutes due to a weird lock system I haven’t still figured out. So in this job you can end up in all kind of situations and you usually never know what kind of car you end up  driving. Viola Runner at Blockbusters Gang Former BBG Junior Program Participant 

Old picture car Viola was driving on a music video shoot. ——————————————————————————————————— Tämän postauksen on kirjoittanut Viola, BBG Junior-ohjelman aiempi osallistuja joka aloitti ensimmäisen projektinsa runnerina maaliskuussa 2020. Tätä ennen Viola on kerännyt kokemusta useammassa tuotannossa tuotantoharjoittelijana.

Runnerin työ sisältää yleensä ajolistojen tekoa, näyttelijöiden informoimista haukuajoista, autosta huolehtimista ja tietenkin paljon ajamista. Työn sisältö voi myös vaihdella projektin mukaan. Työhön myös yleensä liittyy paperihommia esim. ajopäiväkirjan täyttöä. Runnerin työ on suhteellisen helppoa ja yksinkertaista, mutta siinä pitää olla skarppina ja se sisältää myös suuren vastuun. Runneri yleensä kuljettaa näyttelijöitä tai työryhmää ja on samalla vastuussa siitä, että he pääsevät turvallisesti ja ajallaan kohteeseen. Joissain tuotannoissa työtehtävään kuuluu suurimmaksi osaksi vain juoksevien asioiden hoitoa, esimerkiksi tavaroiden ja ruuan hakua. On siis tärkeää pitää huolta omista työajoistaan, riittävästä unen saannista ja siitä, että saat pidettyä taukoja ajojen välillä, jos matkat on pitkiä. Varsinkin, kun ajaa monia satoja kilometrejä päivän aikana haluaa keskittymiskyvyn pysyvän hyvänä työpäivän läpi. Yleensä on myös hyvä pitää silmällä muuttuvia säätiloja ja ottaa ajoihin säävarauksia tarpeen mukaan. Esimerkiksi minulla on mennyt 4 minuutin matkaan noin 15 minuuttia huonon sään ja kolarin takia. Tietenkin voi tulla yllättäviä tilanteita joihin ei pysty varautumaan, mutta silloin on vain toimittava tilanteen mukaan. Viihdyt runnerina, jos tykkää ajaa ja jutella ihmisten kanssa. Olen itse saanut todistaa usein aamuisin todella kauniita auringonnousuja ja olen saanut tavata huippuja ihmisiä. Samalla vastapainoksi olen myös tapellut bensatankin korkin kanssa melkein 15 minuuttia kiitos todella oudon lukkosysteemin, jota en vieläkään tajua. Siis runnerin työssä saatat löytää itsesi ties minkälaisista tilanteista ja harvoin tiedät minkälaisen auton ratista itsesi löydät. Viola Runneri Blockbusters Gangilla Aiempi BBG Junior-ohjelman osallistuja

[blockbustersgang]

Looking back to year 2019 / Vuotta 2019 muistellen

I’ve been in this industry for just over a year now and wouldn’t change a day. For first six months I was participating the first edition of BBG Junior Program and since then I’ve been working on different productions. I started in Catering because I already had a lot of knowledge from that since my family used to run a catering business. After a while doing it I felt like it was not suited for me that well and as I got more and more interested in working in the production team. In the summer of 2019 I started my first production internship in a TV series called “Room 301″. From that production I gathered a lot of new knowledge and got to use my skills from the Junior Program.

I have a Vocational qualification in Business and Administration and I’ve been working for several years in different retail stores. I wanted to change the industry because I felt that I didn’t belong there anymore. I  was in Community College for one year studying Theatre and Make Up. I got interested in the film and TV industry during that time. In the winter of 2018 I went to study to become a media-assistant. Soon after that I saw a post advertising the BBG Junior Program on Facebook and that’s how I really got in to the indusrty. BBG Junior Program has been very helpful for me because I wouldn’t have this much knowledge about the work on this field from my school.

I enjoy working in the production team, especially because working days are never the same. On the productions I’ve done so far I’ve got to help where I’ve been needed.  I’ve truly kept myself busy. It has brought a lot of new responsibilities but luckily there are always co-workers to turn for help.

Despite the situation this year I hope there will be lots of new challenges where I can improve myself and gather more understanding of working in production department. I can’t wait to meet even more new amazing people in this industry!

Charlotta “Lotta” Jalava Production Assistant at Blockbusters Gang Former BBG Junior Program Participant

This photo is taken from our shooting location while working on “Room 301″ TV series.  Tämä kuva on otettu kuvauslokaatiostamme työskennellessäni “Huone 301″- TV-sarjassa. 

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Olen ollut nyt hivenen yli vuoden alalla ja päivääkään en vaihtaisi. Ensimmäinen puoli vuotta meni Junior-ohjelman parissa ja siitä sitten työelämään. Aluksi aloitin Cateringin puolelta ja niitä töitä kertyi jonkun verran. Sieltä oli helppo aloittaa, koska perheessäni on pitopalvelutaustaa. Jonkun ajan kuluttua homma ei tuntunut enää omalta ja tahto tuotannon puolelle kasvoi. Kesällä 2019 aloitin Huone 301- tuotannossa tuotantoharjoittelijana. Siellä sain paljon uutta oppia ja pääsin hyödyntämään Junior-ohjelmasta saatua tietoa ja taitoa.

Olen entinen merkonomi ja kaupassa useamman vuoden työskennellyt. Päätin vaihtaa alaa, koska en tuntenut kuuluvani sinne. Olen käynyt vuoden kansanopistoa teatteri- ja maskeerauspuolella, jossa työskentely elokuva- ja tv-alalla alkoi kiinnostaa. Talvella 2018 pääsin jatkuvan haun kautta media-assistentin koulutukseen. Hetken kuluttua siitä törmäsin Facebookin puolella BBG Junior- ohjelman hakuun ja sitä kautta päädyin tänne. Junior-ohjelmasta on ollut minulle todella suuri apu ja hyöty koska koulutus oli yleisesti media-alalle, joten näin suurta tietoa ja taitoa en juuri tästä alasta olisi saanut.

Nautin tuotannon puolella työskentelystä erityisesti, koska päivät eivät ole koskaan samanlaisia. Tuotannon tiimissä olen päässyt auttamaan siellä missä tarvitsee ja pitämään itseni kiireisenä. Työt ovat myös tuoneet paljon vastuuta, mutta onneksi aina on työkavereita joiden puoleen kääntyä.

Vaikka alkuvuosi on ollut koko alalle vaikeaa, odotan silti tulevaisuudelta uusia haasteita joissa pääsen kehittämään itseäni. Toivon kerryttäväni lisää tietoa tuotannon puolelta ja tapaavani lisää mahtavia alalla työskenteleviä ihmisiä!

Charlotta “Lotta” Jalava Tuotantosassistentti Blockbusters Gangissa Aikaisempi BBG Junior-ohjelman osallistuja

[blockbustersgang]

Working as a Production Trainee

Hello there! 

My name is Emma but you can call me Eme.  Currently I’m participating in the Blockbusters Gang’s Junior Program 2019 Fall edition. Wow! My long-time dream came true – Emma and Iiris opened the doors to the industry to me. I have been dreaming of working in the film and TV industry since I was a child.  

Now I have made my first TV production traineeship in September – October 2019. I was working as a Production Trainee. I was assisting the production department in different kind of assignments, I took care of catering and I was working as a runner as well. I liked it a lot! Whole production crew was awesome. Everyone was nice to me and helped and explained things if needed.

During my traineeship I have learned about different departments roles, how to speak correctly to walkie talkie and understood the big picture of making a TV show. I was sad when our project came to an end because I really enjoyed it. But it made me more confident that I want to be in the industry and I have a great passion for it! I can’t wait for new opportunities.  

Have a lovely weekend! 

[blockbustersgang]

My office internship is about to end...

Hi! It’s Sanni here, again! 

My office internship is about to end today, on Friday 25th. It has been three weeks when I greeted you last time and told about my shooting internship (scroll our profile forward and find more about my thoughts just three posts away!).

Both internships were interesting, and very different kind of compared to each other. 

Where I already knew what it is being in shooting, I had no idea what it would be in the office. Seriously, I had basic prejudices: sending invoices, calling phones, checking receipts etc. Obviously it was that but also so much more. 

During the office internship period I’ve learn quite many things about e.g casting and ordering merch and things that included in those tasks. First day I started write a journal about my internship and somehow ended up decorating it with pink unicorns. I think it’s kind of cool, tho...

So everyone knows what casting basically is: When a production needs a performer, someone needs to seek this person to the production. 

BBG had casting going on and my job was to answer applicants’ questions via email. So lots of emails. I also updated BBG Casting’s performer register and sorted their email.

About ordering merch (merch aka products with Blockbusters Gang’s logo for members).

We created a poll. Then we raced many printing companies and made our choice where to order merch and then sent an offer request. This is really simplified description. There are many excels for different kind of things: who wants to order what, how much merch costs in a specific company, who makes merch from organic materials... And all this information is as important as everything else. 

I noticed during office internship, I like to be in contact with people: I’m the one who wants to send emails and call phone calls. That was something I got to do a lot of, which was really nice.

Beside that I drank a lot of tea. A sip from every quality. 

[blockbustersgang]

Working as a Production Intern

My name is Sanni, I’m a 21-year-old media production freelancer from Southern Karelian, Ruokolahti, now living in Espoo and working mainly in production department and training my skills in screenwriting too. At the moment I’m participating in the Blockbusters Gang’s Junior Program 2019 Fall edition. Yippee! Couldn’t be more excited.

As a Junior I perform two internships during the program, one as a Office Intern and one as a Production Intern in a film shoot. My office internship has started this week, on Monday, 7th of October, so there’s not yet much to tell (except we were waiting Mökö to come visit us and bring Kauppalehti with it) but what I now like to do, is share my two last weeks with you guys when I worked as a Production Intern in an Art Department at a series shooting of Tack Films.

In August, at the beginning of the Junior Program BBG gave each Junior own ”Junior-Godmother” whom they could ask anything about working in a field and who’d help them out with questions about industry and internships and, basically anything. Mine was Pauliina. We had a cup of coffee with Pauliina, who worked as a Production Manager in production, before shoots and discussed what kind of shootings it would be and what my role would included. I had a good feeling about everything.

Shootings started and in the crew there were 4 Gang members: I, Tove (our Script Supervisor), Charlotta (our Caterer) and Pauliina, of course. I guess Pauliina was still working when the photo below was taken... 

I helped Catering first with very basic tasks. The next day my role as a Caterer’s help switched to the Art Department’s help. The following two weeks I worked with the Prop Master and the Set Decorator and it was amazing, couldn’t imagine better.

Because the series was targeted to small children, age between 4 and 7, the setting wasn’t bulk, everyday condo with a normal people. I’d say it was exactly the opposite: Fairytale world with the princesses, palaces, servants, pixies, glamour and glitter! It was a step into the different world, the world without any problems. Honestly, it didn’t feel I was working. I was just visiting some kind of fantasy world. One day we even had cotton candies as a crafty!

I really liked working in an Art Department. Besides the production was specific and had a rather small crew, to me the visual aspect was important. When working for instance as a PA, you don’t need to think about aestethic or an appereance of a setting. But when helping the Set Decorator you definitely do. I also like working in a set so the role fitted better for me.

I truly appreciate that the Art Department gave me tasks that were relevant to the production. They showed me a huge wardrobe, Artistiasu in Kerava, we went together into the woods to pick big branches and entire juniper (!!) as a setting in studio. We transferred all this ”forest” with a basic-sized van. Even one small juniper was in a cabin with us.

I really enjoyed the whole production and felt a bit sad when the last shooting day was over. After all why I’m still smiling when memorizing the production, is the whole period of the time I felt like I was useful and needed.