LPP ∇ Hey Nico, thanks for sending this our way. I really enjoyed the documentary. You really captured the spirit of exploration Light Painters embody. Why did you make this documentary? Why Light Painting?
NE ∇ I had done fictional video work before, but I always wanted to make a documentary. After talking with Janne Parviainen, I was fascinated by his images and thought: why not document his Light Painting journey?

LPP ∇ Did you know the artists before you started filming?
NE ∇ Yes. Janne is a good friend, and I had met Hannu and Pekka through him. It was easy to get them on board.

LPP ∇ How did you all meet?
NE ∇ I met Janne at art school in 2006. We’ve worked on several creative projects since. I met the others around the same time.

LPP ∇ How did they respond to your idea?
NE ∇ They were excited! At the time, they hadn’t yet received much publicity, so this felt like a great way to showcase their art.

LPP ∇ Were they open about their techniques?
NE ∇ Absolutely. They shared everything openly. The only challenge was capturing it all in the dark without disturbing the process.

LPP ∇ What was it like working with them?
NE ∇ Amazing. I stayed out of their way while filming but also got to participate in a few paintings. It was a rewarding experience.

LPP ∇ How long did the documentary take to make?
NE ∇ About six months of shooting and another five months of editing. I had over 12 hours of footage to condense into the final cut.

LPP ∇ What was the hardest part?
NE ∇ Filming in darkness without proper IR equipment was tough. Focusing was difficult, and I had to work quickly in brief moments of light.

LPP ∇ What was the best part?
NE ∇ Exploring these unusual, often eerie locations at night. It was unlike anything I’d normally do in daily life.

LPP ∇ Any scary or strange moments?
NE ∇ No real danger, but the atmosphere and strange sounds often sparked our imagination. That added to the adventure.

LPP ∇ What are your hopes for the documentary?
NE ∇ I submitted it to film festivals but didn’t get much traction. I now hope someone finds it online and offers it more visibility.

LPP ∇ Are you a Light Painter yourself?
NE ∇ Not really. I helped with a few stencils and effects, but I focus on other mediums like video, glass, and metal art.

LPP ∇ Where can we see more of your work?

• YouTube: youtube.com/user/iconemus
• Flickr (Art): flickr.com/photos/nicoaeloranta
• Behind the Scenes: flickr.com/photos/ninjawhispers

LPP ∇ Thanks again for sharing your work with us, Nico!
NE ∇ Thank you!