Mikko Oskari Lehtonen

A commercial director with a touch of television flair and a hint of fatherly wisdom.

Don't think. Reach out.

WORK

About me

Hey there! I'm a 34-year-old director, husband, and father of two from Helsinki. I've been immersed in the media industry for a little over 10 years now.In the realm of television and commercials, I find the perfect balance that suits me. I'm extremely passionate and ambitious about my work, and I can honestly say that I absolutely love what I do.As a director, I bring an intuitive and warm approach. I have nerves of steel, or as some might say, "cow's nerves," when it comes to work-life, and I'm always striving to foster a trustworthy and supportive work environment. On the flip side, humor and a healthy dose of sarcasm are elements I simply can't tone down.My forte lies in storytelling and a comprehensive understanding of all stages of production. However, I also enjoy playing with dialogue and crafting memorable characters.Along my journey to directing, I've worn the hats of a cinematographer and an editor. This experience has laid a robust foundation for me to leverage rhythm and visuals effectively in my projects.

By the way, no need to stress—I don't normally rock a tuxedo on the job.

Let's get in touch!

+358 40 541 4138
mikko@hallatuotanto.fi

ARLA / BRAND PHOTO SHOOT

What's the deal?

Even though it's more rare these days, I occasionally delve into photography myself. I absolutely love it, and a recent brand photo shoot for Arla was a great success. We spent an entire day in Helsinki, aiming to capture urban camping and urban living shots with two models. Arla required a collection of beautiful shots for various social media and digital marketing campaigns, showcasing their products, events, and communications. The beauty we captured truly exceeded expectations.

NOKIA SENTRY / BRAND PHOTO SHOOT

What's the deal?

We conducted a brand shoot for HMD Finland's new Sentry phone in the deep woods of Nuuksio. The images highlight the incredible endurance and extreme qualities of the device. I always enjoy photo shoots, especially when the gear is much more compact compared to film shoots, and on this occasion, we managed to capture some truly breathtaking shots.

What's the deal?

Kolmiodraama was a truly fantastic experience from director's perspective. We had an amazing cast, perfect set up's and locations as well as a very talented crew and supportive Production comapany. The show feels and looks like a movie even tough its a reality show. Very exited to see how this premieres. Airing in spring 2024.

Helsinki Seagulls / Hype is back

What's the deal?

Everyone knows I'm a basketball fanatic, so working on this project was an absolute pleasure. The Seagulls clinched the national league victory in 2023, and they wanted to mark the new season with a stylish video capturing the resurgence of basketball hype in town. Collaborating with the Bongo Bongo Boys, we created a nostalgic mashup that sets the tone for the exciting years ahead.

GOGO / That feeling

What's the deal?

The Gogo Commercial was an absolute blast to shoot. Our nighttime scenes unfolded in Alanya Market, where we completely transformed the space with the vibrant look of the Gogo brand. With an exceptional cast and wardrobes curated by Noora Makkonen, this project exudes the essence of an authentic American commercial, perfectly aligning with the client's vision.

The Red cross Finland / The accident fortuneteller

What's the deal?

For a moment, even I started believing in the ability to predict the future. The set design for this mystical ad was truly top-notch, and Heidi Remes proved to be an excellent fit for the main role. This ad was specifically crafted for Finland's National Accident Day.

Saturday Night take away

What's the deal?

I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with some of Finland's most talented actors and performers, navigating through a range of different setups. As a performance director for the hosts in the live shows, I also took on the role of directing the show's intro and its inside miniseries, Who Poisoned Robin Packalen? This miniseries garnered significant attention, becoming the most-watched social media content on MTV3 at the time.

HSY / see you in the next life

What's the deal?

I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with some of Finland's most talented actors and performers, navigating through a range of different setups. As a performance director for the hosts in the live shows, I also took on the role of directing the show's intro and its inside miniseries, Who Poisoned Robin Packalen? This miniseries garnered significant attention, becoming the most-watched social media content on MTV3 at the time.

Janssen / Don't waste time

What's the deal?

I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with some of Finland's most talented actors and performers, navigating through a range of different setups. As a performance director for the hosts in the live shows, I also took on the role of directing the show's intro and its inside miniseries, Who Poisoned Robin Packalen? This miniseries garnered significant attention, becoming the most-watched social media content on MTV3 at the time.

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health / Stronger together

What's the deal?

I believe we successfully captured the visual essence, embracing an anamorphic style reminiscent of old Hollywood. Collaborating with the legendary Seela Sella was a true honor, and working with Ernest once again proved to be seamless, given our past collaborations. Their dynamic brought a fantastic balance to the ad, making it resonate with a broad and versatile audience.

Pakkaa.fi / The art of packing

What's the deal?

The Finnish packaging company Pakkaa.fi underwent a significant brand reform in the spring of 2023, and as part of that, we created this hilarious commercial. The entire production took place at Angel Films Studio Helsinki and was released in the summer of 2023. In addition to directing, I also co-wrote the commercial.

Myllyn paras / The beginning of all good

What's the deal?

The dark, moody nights of August – my favorite time of the year and an ideal backdrop for filming. We discovered some incredible locations near Porvoo while shooting this brand ad for Myllyn Paras. I genuinely believe we captured a magical and pure essence in the shots, and our casting efforts paid off exceptionally well. It remains one of my favorite commercial shoots to date.

Amazon prime / The bridge

What's the deal?

I was truly amazed when Endemol Shine presented me with the opportunity to direct "The Bridge" for Prime Video. Being the first-ever Nordic original series for Amazon, it held significant importance for the streaming platform. "The Bridge" was a dream come true for me, as the format itself was inherently cinematic with a truly movie-like feel. I can genuinely say that I'm incredibly proud and pleased with how the show looks, feels, and has been received by the audience.

GOLDEN VENLA GALA 2024 / The first chapter

What's the deal?

I felt honored to be chosen to direct this year's opening video for the Golden Venla gala, a celebration that recognizes the makers and doers of the TV industry. Collaborating with Banijay Finland, we crafted a video that kicks off the entire show with style. I am genuinely pleased with how this project turned out.

The Voice of Finland / Season 13

What's the deal?

"The Voice" marked my first directing gig in a TV format that had already existed; all previous shows I had worked on were introduced for the first time in Finland. It presented a new kind of challenge for me, and diving into it proved to be incredibly rewarding. I was fortunate to work with open-minded productions, allowing me to put my own stamp on this colossal format. I'm proud to see that it reflects in the final product. The show is presented in Nelonen and ruutu.

Supermerchants/ Season 1

What's the deal?

Superkauppiaat was my virginty trip to the world of reality as director. The journey was very instructive and exciting. I really enjouyd travelling across Finland and got to know some amazing people on the way. This show was the first ever fully branded content reality show aired in Finalnd and as a part of that we made TV history. Superkauppiaat was a succes in Nelonen medias channels and got a reorder for a second season.