sntrLXdesigns, lighting designer and grandMA3 programmer, Helsinki

Do you travel for events outside Finland?

Yes, although I'm based in Helsinki, Finland, I'm available to work across Europe and the world, including tours and private events. Travel, accommodation, and any freight costs are worked into the quote once I know the location, so it's one number to plan around rather than a surprise later. If you're not sure whether a project is close enough to make sense, send the dates and location and I'll figure out how to make it happen.

What do you need from us to quote a project?

A date, the venue or event type, and roughly what you need done: design only, full programming and operating, or somewhere in between. For a touring show, I'll also want to know the artist and whether there's an existing rig or showfile to build from. For a corporate event or exhibition, tell me the space and whether equipment is already sourced or needs arranging. The more specific the brief, the faster I can put together an accurate quote instead of a rough estimate.

What's the difference between lighting design and programming, and do I need both?

Design is deciding what the show should look like: the concept, the fixtures, how it reads from the audience. Programming is building that into a working showfile on the console, cues, timecode, the technical side that actually makes it run. I usually do both for one client, but not always. Some already have a design and need someone to program and operate it; others have an in-house operator and just need the initial build. Tell me what you've already got and I'll tell you what's missing.

Can you supply equipment, or do I need to arrange that separately?

Either works. I can source the rig through rental partners if you don't have one, so I'm a single point of contact from design through execution. If you're renting through your own supplier or already have equipment booked, I'll work with what's there, just send me the gear list in advance so I can plan the show around it.

How long does a training session take, and where does it happen?

That depends on what you need covered, from a focused few hours one-on-one on a specific topic to a multi-day deep dive for a whole team. Sessions can run at your venue if you've got a console on-site, or with the previz setup I use, we can run productive sessions without a rig at all. Tell me the group size and what you want to walk away knowing, and I'll put together a format and rough duration that fits.

Do you only do lighting?

Lighting design and programming is what I do myself. But after years in the industry I've built up a network of colleagues in sound, video, staging, and other production roles, so if your event needs more than lights, I can help you find the right person or bring them in alongside me.

Do you work with consoles other than grandMA?

No, grandMA (specifically grandMA3) is what I specialise in. If your show runs on a different console, I don't operate it myself, but I can help you find someone in my network who does.

How far in advance should I book?

For touring dates and larger productions, a few months out gives the most room for pre-production, previz, and equipment sourcing if needed. Smaller or one-off events can often move faster, sometimes just a couple of weeks or even days. If your date is coming up soon, ask anyway, availability varies and it's often still possible to make it work.