About
There's gotta be a better way.
The media and entertainment industry can be a tough place to get into. Like most professionals in Finland, growing up, we didn't have many opportunities to pursue our passions of art, media, and storytelling; let alone have people around us who would teach, mentor, and guide us in how to sustain a healthy career and a creative lifestyle. So we did what we knew. Elbow our way to the top only to find out it's sometimes a cold and lonely place.
That's why we founded Better Place, a studio business to finance building a creative hub where youth and kids can learn about visual arts and get mentored in craft and character.
We've built a state-of-the-art studio-as-a-service and partnered with some of the industry's best brands and companies to ensure this isn't another half-assed "good enough" youth program. Why? Because both the kids and you deserve better.
Thanks for reading and caring. Every euro you put into this helps us put opportunity in front of a kid with a dream.
Love, Peace and Nappiness - The Better Boys & Girls
Fact check
FAQ
Q: WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON HERE?
Better Place is a new kind of video & photo studio in Kalasatama, Helsinki, that offers high-quality lighting presets and studio services whilst providing mentorship and learning opportunities for kids and youth interested in visual arts.
As a societal enterprise, our primary objective is to do good business so that we can do good in society.
Q: GOLLY GOSH, THAT'S COOL! WHY DO IT?
Glad you asked. Growing up, we couldn't find a place like this when we needed it, so we decided to build it. The rate of childhood hopelessness, depression, and anxiety is at an all-time high, but mentorship with safe adults, finding meaning through art and storytelling, and growth within a caring community has been proven to change things. Ain't nobody getting better if we don't do better.
Q: WHAT'S A MOOD-LAB?
We've curated the space and equipment in a way to encourage experimentation. Lighting is all about creating emotion; we just call them moods. Hence mood-lab. No Walter White shiznizzles here. Just grab a lab coat and get cracking!
Q: WHAT'S THE SO-CALLED RECIPE?
Recipes are high-quality lighting presets that we, along with fellow producers and artists, have developed to make your life easier. You pick a recipe, arrive at the studio, and it will be set up for you—just hit the record button! ;)
Q: HOW ARE YOU ACTUALLY WORKING WITH KIDS AND YOUTH?
That's a beautiful question! We're only getting started, so we're still working on this, but here are some ways we're hitting the ground running.
- Every time you rent the studio, we will put at least half of the profit into organizing workshops, after-school sessions, and learning opportunities for kids who otherwise wouldn't have the chance.
- For older and more committed budding artists, we're building mentorship tracks that will prepare them with the skillset and the character needed to have a lasting career in the creative industry.
- The kids and youth in our programs get access to the same equipment as you do when you rent. It's called equal opportunity.
- We're working on providing honest work opportunities and learning-on-the-job possibilities with local production companies, rental houses, and agencies. (If you're one, call us maybe?)
Q: HOW CAN I HELP OR BE A PARTNER?
On top of using the space to provide finances, we most need skilled professionals willing to give away their time either for free or for a small fee to hold workshops or mentor youths in our career tracks. We can't improve the next generation without providing them with the best opportunities.
Get in touch if you're interested!
Q: DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS TO STUDENTS OR NON-PROFITS?
Absolutely! If you're a student, school or non-profit, get in touch with us and let's see what we can make happen!
Q: WHY ALL THE TALK ABOUT RECIPES?
Because we're happier when we eat, and food is an international language everyone understands. Talking about food.... I hear a taco calling my name. Gotta go. Chow for now!
"After years of therapy and reading self help books, he claimed that he was in a Better Place, but his actions showed that this was not the case." - Rick
Supported by
Focus Nordic
We're so thankful to have Focus Nordic as one of our main partners. Focus Nordic is the leading distributor of photo and video in Europe with more than 70 brands represented in 28 markets.
From day one, they've believed in the vision of creating a space where not just professionals, but budding young artists can become better.
Almost all our equipment can be purchased direct from them, and if you find something on their webpage that we don't have but you'd like to try, we can arrange possibly a touch-and-try session.
Show them some love and click through to see their offerings!
The face behind the place.
Rafael Mocelin – CEO, Visionary, Youth Advocate
I’m here not just to manage a studio but to drive a vision where creativity meets purpose. Having taken the helm from the founders, my role isn’t just about keeping the lights on but ensuring the space continues to be a wellspring of creativity and impact.
My journey brought me from 🇧🇷 Brazil to 🇫🇮 Finland, powered by a calling to create, to connect, and to make something meaningful.
This studio has a unique energy, one that I aim to carry forward with the same passion and vision it was founded on. Deeply connected to the youth who are shaping our future, I believe in empowering young creatives to bring their stories, ideas, and innovations to the forefront. They’re not just the next generation; they’re the voices and visionaries I want to embolden today.
Whether it’s for creators looking to push boundaries or clients wanting their message to truly resonate, this studio is here for you.
Welcome to a space that’s dedicated to creating not just images, but impact.