Balancing Reality with Imagination

Last year, I invested heavily in cameras and video production gear, especially leading into the holiday deals.

Not in spite of exploring AI video seriously, but because of it.

Working with generative tools has made one thing clearer to me: when everything becomes possible, intention matters more than ever. Knowing when and where to use each method, or thoughtfully merge the two, is what allows visual stories to resonate and last.

Real-world video production imposes constraints. It forces decisions. Framing, light, movement, timing, and the realities of planning within time and budget. You can’t prompt your way out of those. And for certain work, especially when establishing authenticity, trust, and documenting reality, it remains irreplaceable.

At the same time, AI has become an incredible amplifier for creative ideas that exist out beyond the limits of our day-to-day reality.

For me, investing in both isn’t a hedge. It’s a deliberate choice to balance reality with imagination, using each where it strengthens the work. That means upgrading my gear and learning how to use AI for video and filmmaking to produce work that’s more intentional, credible, and enduring.