Kinematics-based synthesis of realistic talking faces

Abstract

A method is described for animating talking faces that approach both cosmetic and communicative realism. The animations can be driven directly from a small set of time-varying positions measured on the face. This method of animation provides distinct benefits for both industrial and behavioral research applications, because the kinematic control parameters are easily obtained and are highly correlated with the measurable acoustic and neuromuscular events associated with speech production.