"The future of video production isn’t just about technology — it’s about expanding the boundaries of human experience. AI and digital avatars don’t replace the artist, they give us a new language." — Oleg Pilipenko
Today, we are speaking with Oleg, an expert in video production and show business, as well as the founder of Flavatars, a company developing advanced digital avatars. We will discuss his career path, the impact of video avatars on the industry, and the prospects of new technologies.
iPremium: Oleg, how did your journey in video production begin, and how did you enter the world of show business?
O.P.: My journey into video production started in 2009 when I was filming video blogs for my rock band, Jennifer’s Heart. These were my first experiences with a camera and video editing. Later, I started shooting music videos and commercials, which led me to working with brands and stars in the entertainment industry.
iPremium: Over the years, you have undoubtedly been involved in many interesting projects. Which ones were the most significant for you?
O.P.: One of the most meaningful moments in my career was working with musicians and celebrities, as well as athletes like Loboda, Oleksandr Usyk, Vasiliy Lomachenko, Anna Sedokova, Dan Balan, and the Rixos hotel chain. I have filmed over 45 music videos, which have collectively garnered more than 300 million views on YouTube. One project that stands out is a documentary about the war in Ukraine, which was entirely shot by me and my friends during our humanitarian missions.
iPremium: Which well-known people and brands have you worked with? Can you share some of the most memorable moments?
O.P.: I’ve had the honor of collaborating with brands such as Huawei, BoConcept, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Ukrainian Fashion Week, Rixos, Ravenol, BoxRaw, and many others. Among the artists and celebrities I’ve worked with, Loboda, Vasiliy Lomachenko, and Oleksandr Usyk stand out. One of the most exciting moments was creating an interactive digital avatar for the CEO of Huawei Switzerland, Michael Yang. This was a groundbreaking and innovative shoot where we tested a completely new technology for creating interactive avatars. During the conference, company employees could interact with this digital persona in real-time, marking a crucial milestone in the development of such solutions. Working with professionals like Michael Yang, who radiate energy and passion, is always inspiring and provides invaluable experience. This project was a great challenge for Flavatars, which we successfully overcame, showcasing the possibilities and potential of modern technology.
iPremium: How did the idea of digital avatars come about, and what technologies form the foundation of your work?
O.P.: The idea of digital avatars emerged after numerous discussions with my business partner, Allan Nielsen, a marketing expert with extensive experience in online projects. Allan combines Scandinavian vision with Swiss quality, helping our clients achieve new heights in brand promotion. The decisive inspiration came when he brought in our first client—Flemming Jensen, the owner of BoConcept Switzerland, for the creation of his personal avatar. This successful project pushed me to establish Flavatars. We began incorporating artificial intelligence technologies such as speech synthesis and generative neural networks to create avatars capable of speaking multiple languages and effectively representing brands.
iPremium: How do you think video avatars can transform the media industry? In which areas are they already being used?
O.P.: Video avatars are already widely used in business, corporate communications, influencer marketing, and education. Their key advantage is multilingualism, allowing content creators and businesses to overcome language barriers with their clients. Their interactivity enables integration into customer service solutions, reducing operational costs. They help companies create personalized content faster and more efficiently, cutting production expenses. In corporate meetings, training programs, and marketing campaigns, these solutions enhance engagement with customers and employees. In the future, I see even greater potential for this technology in business digitalization and content strategy automation.
iPremium: Is it possible to create a digital avatar that is completely indistinguishable from a real person?
O.P.: Technology has already reached a level where a digital avatar can be almost indistinguishable from a real person under certain conditions. However, the key challenge remains the realistic reproduction of facial expressions and emotions, which we are actively working on and making great progress with.
iPremium: Which industries and professions can benefit the most from video avatars? Where is this technology most in demand?
O.P.: The greatest benefits of video avatars can be seen in advertising, online education, influencer marketing, and customer service. In the education sector, they are particularly valuable for corporate training, webinars, and interactive learning. They are also widely used in creating digital content for social media and entertainment.
iPremium: What new trends in video production and digital content do you find most promising?
O.P.: Avatars continue to evolve rapidly and are finding more applications in business and the corporate sector. We are actively exploring and utilizing generative video technologies such as Sora by OpenAI, Runway Gen-3, Veo-2 by Google, Minimax, and Kling. We also use ElevenLabs solutions for speech synthesis. I believe 2025 will be a year of rapid advancement in these technologies, so I recommend keeping an eye on developments. Additionally, companies like Udio and Suno have made a significant impact on the music industry. Their technologies are successfully used to create modern hits, jingles, and soundtracks that reach the charts and secure top positions.
iPremium: The use of video avatars raises a lot of discussions. What ethical concerns do you consider most important, and how can misuse be prevented?
O.P.: Ethical concerns around video avatars include privacy protection, obtaining user consent, and preventing misuse. We ensure transparency and obtain proper permissions for avatar usage while also implementing security mechanisms to prevent fraudulent applications.
iPremium: Which video production technologies impress you the most today?
O.P.: The development of generative video technologies and their integration with digital avatars opens new opportunities for content creation. We actively use neural network-based solutions that allow real-time video generation and seamless combination with avatars for interactive and personalized content. Moreover, we successfully blend generated content with real footage, achieving remarkable results. You can see examples on our website www.flavatars.com. Technologies like Runway Gen-3, Sora by OpenAI, and Veo-2 by Google significantly accelerate production and automate processes. This creates new business, marketing, and education opportunities.
iPremium: What advice would you give to companies looking to integrate digital avatars into their business?
O.P.: To maximize the benefits of digital avatars, it is crucial to understand your audience's needs and take a strategic approach to implementation. Integrating avatars and generative content with real footage allows businesses to develop unique solutions that enhance communication and customer engagement. This technology has the potential to optimize processes and unlock new opportunities for business growth.
Website: flavatars.com
