Anna Zhilina: From Accounting to AI-Driven Visual Storytelling
Anna Zhilina, a talented visual content creator, has transitioned from the structured world of accounting to the dynamic realms of videography and artificial intelligence. Combining professional video editing with the power of AI, Anna crafts hyper-realistic content that resonates with innovative brands worldwide. In this interview, Anna shares her story, creative process, and vision for the future of AI-driven storytelling.
Can you share how you transitioned from accounting to creative fields like videography and AI? What sparked this transformation?
My journey from accounting to creative fields like videography and AI was long and challenging. Working as an accountant, I always felt out of place and kept searching for something that truly resonated with me. My hobby—photography and photo editing in Photoshop—offered some creative outlet, but it wasn’t enough. Having children pushed me to rethink my values and realize that I wanted to do something that inspires and brings me genuine joy. This realization led me to explore 3D design and later videography, which allowed me to channel my love for filming and editing. However, the real turning point came when I first heard about artificial intelligence. The idea of working with something “artificial” intimidated me—I thought it would be a cold and distant tool. Yet, I understood that these technologies represented the future and decided to give them a try. This experience completely transformed my perspective. Today, in my video projects, I strive to make the results as realistic as possible while infusing them with soul and depth. It’s essential to me that even with the use of AI technologies, my work retains meaning and creative substance. This concept has captured me entirely. Combining videography, editing, and AI tools opens up endless possibilities for growth, and I have many creative ideas I’m eager to bring to life.
What challenges did you face as you shifted to a creative career?
One of the biggest challenges I encountered during my transition to a creative career was the onset of war. We were forced to leave our home, relocate our eldest child to a safer place, and, just six months after the war began, we welcomed our second child. This period was incredibly difficult: new circumstances, the responsibility for my family, and the uncertainty of the future made me reevaluate my life. The war gave me a clear understanding that life can change in an instant. This realization pushed me to act immediately, without postponing dreams and plans for “later.” I realized that I wanted to find fulfillment in something that brings me joy and inspiration. Another challenge was finding a balance between family and creativity. As a mother of two, I strive to be present for my children while also carving out time for learning and personal growth. It hasn’t been easy, but I came to understand that these changes were necessary to move forward and find satisfaction in life. Creativity has become not just a means of self-realization for me but also a source of inner strength. These challenges have taught me that even in the hardest circumstances, it’s worth fighting for your dreams and acting without waiting for the perfect moment.
You mentioned discovering AI in July 2024. What drew you to this technology, and how did you integrate it into your creative process?
Yes, my first AI course began in July 2024. As I mentioned earlier, I was initially skeptical about AI technologies, but the realization that they represent the future kept me curious. I decided to give it a try and explore how this technology could complement my creativity. One of the first projects during the course involved combining live-action footage with AI-generated visuals. This allowed me to see the unique possibilities of both approaches: AI opens up a world of creating the unattainable in reality, while live footage adds emotional depth. This experience inspired me to consider collaborations with videographers, as combining these two tools brings a whole new level of creativity. For me, AI has become more than just a tool—it’s a way to push boundaries and bring unique ideas to life.
How do you ensure that the hyper-realistic content you create using AI stays innovative and resonates with brands and audiences alike?
I gravitated toward a hyper-realistic style because I wanted to overcome my fears of artificial technology and demonstrate that AI can be a tool for creating beauty and evoking emotions. While I’m still new to this field, my work resonates with people. I often receive messages saying that my creations have changed their perception of artificial intelligence—those who were previously uninterested in the topic now eagerly await my new projects. Requests from people wanting to learn what I do boost my confidence and affirm that my vision genuinely connects with audiences. However, I don’t see myself as a teacher—I’m a creator. My calling lies in something else: conveying emotions and meaning through my work, showing how AI can be used to create beauty that resonates deeply with viewers. To be honest, I sometimes lack confidence in myself. When people call me a professional, I still feel like I’m learning and striving to refine my style. I create what I personally find appealing, and it seems to strike a chord with others. Sometimes brands trust my vision entirely, while other times I work according to detailed briefs. I strive to stay updated with technological advancements because AI evolves incredibly quickly. Yet my primary goal remains staying true to my creativity—ensuring each piece not only looks realistic but also carries meaning, has soul, and elicits genuine emotion.
What role do you see AI playing in shaping the future of visual content creation, especially in the context of storytelling and branding?
I believe AI will play a key role in the future of visual content creation, particularly in storytelling and branding. Its main advantage lies in its ability to produce visuals that amplify the emotional impact of stories and highlight the uniqueness of brands. In storytelling, AI helps create highly detailed scenes that are difficult to achieve in real life. This opens up possibilities for deeper emotional engagement with audiences through visual effects and atmosphere. For example, even a fully AI-generated ad campaign can look so realistic that viewers might not distinguish it from live-action footage. In branding, AI reduces costs for content creation, allowing for more room to experiment. However, it’s important to note that audiences are not always ready to accept AI as a tool for creating “warm” and “soulful” content. This underscores the importance of balance: AI becomes a powerful addition to human creativity, helping brands stand out, but it doesn’t replace human ideas or inspiration. The combination of AI and live-action footage could become an innovative approach that preserves emotional depth while leveraging the full potential of technology. This is how strong visual stories can be crafted, and brand recognition can be built in ways that leave a lasting impression.
What’s a surprising fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
People might be surprised to learn that I create all my work on an iPhone. This allows me to stay mobile, as I balance work, family, and kids. It’s important for me to seize every opportunity and make the most of any free moment to create, no matter where I am. In the future, I’m considering transitioning to a computer to expand my capabilities, but for now, this mobility gives me the freedom to work and create anywhere.
How do you see the role of influencers changing in the next five years?
In my opinion, the role of influencers will undergo significant transformation under the influence of technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. I can already see how these technologies are changing approaches to content creation. For instance, influencers are beginning to use generative AI to create more unique and engaging materials. I believe the future belongs to those who can combine creativity, technology, and authenticity while maintaining their audience’s trust. This applies not only to influencers but to everyone working in the content sphere. The integration of creative approaches and innovative tools will enable the creation of materials that continue to captivate audiences.