A contemporary advertising spot no longer automatically means either traditional filming or, at the opposite end, 100% AI-generated content. In the case of the KFC Pui sosificat în sos Korean BBQ spot, the video production was conceived as a hybrid workflow, combining real-world filming with AI-generated footage, as a direct response to a limited budget and ambitious visual requirements.
The result is an apparently simple advertising spot that conceals a much more complex and interesting production process.
Why a hybrid video production: traditional filming + AI
The decision to combine traditional filming with AI came from the advertising agency (Leo Burnett) and was driven strictly by budget constraints. The creative concept called for spectacular visuals which, if produced exclusively through traditional filming, would have quickly exceeded the project’s financial limits.
A Korean character appearing on horseback at a drive-through, dressed in traditional attire, would have required international casting, animals, an animal handler, specialized costumes, and complex logistics. In this context, using AI in the video production process became the most efficient solution.
Which scenes were traditionally filmed in an AI-created advertising spot
The scenes featuring teenagers exiting the KFC restaurant were filmed using traditional production methods, with a full production crew on set. This choice was deliberate, as this part of the spot required an authentic feel, firmly grounded in reality and driven by natural interactions.
Traditional filming provided exactly the layer of credibility that allows the entire spot to work, including the sequences that were later generated using AI.
The teenagers react to the new KFC product as if it were something straight out of a sci-fi movie, from another world, that has just arrived on a white-pink horse — which is, in fact, exactly what happens. That’s why AI works perfectly here. And even if it hadn’t turned out quite so well, it would still have worked as a counterpoint to everyday reality.
In addition, the same shooting day was also used for an in-restaurant photo shoot, extending the value of the production beyond the TV or online spot. From the client’s perspective, this means more content — and therefore a higher return on investment.
Which scenes were generated with AI, and why
Not only would the narrative sequences have been costly if filmed traditionally. The product demo shots as well — the chicken falling into the sauce, the splashes, the appetizing slow motion — would have required a separate production.
Such a shot would normally require tabletop filming with a high-speed camera (Phantom or Freefly Ember), a dedicated location, a complex technical setup, and inevitably additional costs: a larger crew, extra time on set, and additional production hours.
In the context of this project, using AI for these shots eliminated the need for a second shoot and made it possible to achieve that spectacular slow-motion visual effect without increasing the budget or logistical complexity.
The spectacular shots — difficult or impossible to achieve through traditional filming within the given budget — were created using artificial intelligence. AI enabled a high level of creative control, rapid iteration, and flexibility in fine-tuning the final visuals.
For low-budget video productions that require “wow” visuals, AI becomes an extremely effective tool, as long as it is integrated intelligently into a clearly defined workflow.
It’s important to say this openly: using AI in video production can sometimes mean fewer people involved and, in some cases, lost jobs.
In this project, however, AI did not eliminate the team entirely; instead, it complemented traditional filming where it was no longer efficient.
Why the spot was not created 100% with AI
Although the spot could have been created entirely using artificial intelligence, a hybrid solution was chosen. The scenes filmed with the teenagers provide a real point of reference — a visual anchor that makes the entire world of the spot feel more credible.
Compared to advertising spots created 100% with AI, this combination brings an important balance between realism and visual spectacle.
The advantages and limitations of using AI in video production
For productions with limited budgets and high visual demands, AI offers clear advantages: speed, lower costs, and creative flexibility. At the same time, there are limits and trade-offs, and decisions must be made on a project-by-project basis.
It’s not about AI versus traditional filming, but about making the right choice for each shot, each idea, and each budget.
Conclusion
The KFC Pui sosificat în sos Korean BBQ spot is an example of hybrid video production, where traditional filming and artificial intelligence work together. It is not a manifesto about AI, nor a universal recipe.
It is a practical demonstration of how technology can be intelligently integrated into an advertising spot when budget realities demand it.
Because, in the end, most decisions in video production are made based on budget.
As simple as that.
See the spot and the team here
