David Blagojević
How did your journey in AI-powered art begin? What inspired you to pursue this direction?
David Blagojević
I come from the beauty, luxury, and cosmetics world—especially focused on tabletop work. Before the AI eratook off, I was already immersed in creating high-endvisuals using high-speed cameras, motion controls,and camera robots to bring those perfect shots to life.When AI started revolutionizing the creative field, Icouldn’t resist diving in. It was incredible to see howmuch AI could amplify the aesthetic standards we’reused to. That inspired me to experiment with this newtech, and before I knew it, I was developing workflowsbased on my live-action shooting style, tailored tomeet client needs.Something clicked for me when several high-performingcolleagues in the industry shared a common observation:their live-action shots weren’t aligning with clientexpectations because the clients had been shown AI-generated storyboards at the project outset. That’s when Irealized we’re entering an era where clients might fullyembrace AI-generated videos for high-end results. Thatrealization pushed me to hone my AI skills further andposition myself to deliver exactly that.
What themes or ideas are most often reflected in your work? Do you have a favorite concept you aim to convey?
I have an obsession with creating beautiful visuals,especially in the beauty industry. There’s somethingtimeless and universal about how beauty resonateswith us—it’s irresistible and transformative. Having abackground as a Director of Photography has been ahuge advantage in designing prompts for AI. In thebeauty world, clients expect perfection, and thatmeans every detail matters. Being able to replicatethat meticulousness—whether it’s through lighting,lens choice, camera angles, or even color grading—within AI tools feels both challenging and incrediblyrewarding. It’s an exciting time to be part of thisindustry!
How do you combine artificial intelligence with traditional creative methods in your process?
I always start with pen and paper, sketching outstoryboards and defining the art direction. I outlineeverything—set design, lighting, wardrobe, casting,and photography—before presenting it to clients.Recently, we’ve been exploring virtual production,where live-action footage is shot against LED wallsdisplaying AI-generated backdrops. The next step isturning those AI-generated scenes into 3D assets,which will give us an insane level of control and truly revolutionize the industry. It’s a game-changer waitingto happen!
What role do you think AI plays in contemporary art? Can it replace artists, or does it only complement them?
A talented director and a good friend of mine once saidit beautifully: directors have neverreally created things in a hands-on sense. We weren’tthe ones operating the camera or performing onscreen; we orchestrated everything. The same appliesto AI—it’s just another tool in the director’s arsenal.The essence of what we do hasn’t changed; thetechnology we use to achieve it has.
What challenges have you faced while working with AI? Are there moments when technology limits your vision?
At the moment, the lack of precise control in AI is thebiggest limitation—especially for maintainingconsistent quality throughout a shot. Unlike CGI,where you have total control, AI can be… let’s call it“stubborn.” But this is changing so quickly that Ibelieve within a year, we’ll have tools advancedenough to meet most industry demands. Excitingtimes are ahead!
Could you tell us about a project you’re particularly proud of? What makes it stand out?
I’ve got something exciting launching in just a fewdays! With AI, we finally have the chance to break freefrom the decades-old advertising standards that havebeen on repeat for far too long. Experimentation usedto be too expensive and risky for clients, but now thecosts have dropped dramatically, allowing us toexplore bold new storytelling formats. My upcomingproject embraces this freedom, and I can’t wait toshare it!
