Unigrafia provides clients with a broad range of IT and AV services. These typically relate to software, applications or equipment support – helping when cables won’t connect, a computer misbehaves or a tricky software issue arises. But the expertise also extends to more complex needs. The cooperation with Haaga-Helia, which began in spring, swiftly developed into a closer partnership where an AV expert now supports students and teachers hands-on, while also contributing to technical planning.
“We began building this deeper collaboration in response to needs that emerged at Haaga-Helia,” explains Esko Hatunen, journalism lecturer and coordinator of the TV production course at the Pasila campus.
Running the elective course, which is part of the journalism programme, requires strong technical knowledge, understanding of TV production workflows, and control room operations.
“When we heard that an experienced specialist from Unigrafia had joined our team, we seized the opportunity and invited him to be involved in the course’s practical setup.”
Unigrafia’s AV expert Ilkka Peltola eagerly took up the challenge. With a solid background as team lead and studio master at the University of Helsinki’s Think Corner – and having produced countless livestreams and multicam shoots for the university, as well as for Veikkaus and RAY – he joined the Haaga-Helia project in mid-March.
During the training and production days, Hatunen oversees general coordination and studio activity, while Peltola ensures the control room tech runs smoothly.
“The collaboration has gone extremely well, and feedback has been positive from the start,” Hatunen says. “The best part is that we’ve gained a motivated, experienced professional who is passionate about his work and genuinely wants to help us develop and improve the things that matter most to us.” , Hatunen says.
The TV production course is an ambitious undertaking – its goal is to take students through the entire process, from planning and scripting to directing and on-set filming.
“Video is an increasingly important format, and the course is understandably popular. That’s why it’s fantastic to have a skilled partner by my side – someone who can support students in the areas where they still need help. That way, we can focus fully on what matters most: producing strong journalistic content.”
Peltola is also pleased with the experience. Students have offered their thanks, and most leave the course with smiles on their faces. His rewarding workdays involve much more than teaching students.
“The TV production course and control room work form a small part of the bigger picture,” Peltola explains. “But it’s by far the most visible part of the AV specialist’s current role.”
“I also support teachers in filming educational videos, editing, and using various applications. I’m building a dedicated Editing Room equipped with all the necessary tools and software. Right now, a large part of my time is spent planning video content – these videos will eventually support students, teachers, staff, and internal communications. The great thing about this role is the variety – there’s really no such thing as a typical workday, now or in the future.”
The first tangible result of the collaboration was launched in May, when the website 360journalismia.fi went live. It features five 15-minute student-produced studio discussions, all filmed over the course of just two production days.
“We still don’t know exactly where this collaboration will lead, but we already have more ideas than we can possibly implement,” say Peltola and Hatunen with a laugh and a wink. “Plenty of projects are underway, but we’ll reveal more in the autumn.”
