Automatic torso engagement for gesturing characters

Abstract

Acting theorists such as Grotowski [1] have argued that full body engagement is a key principle in creating expressive movement. Unfortunately, torso use has received limited attention in virtual character research and torso involvement is often lacking. In procedural gesture animation, the character's gestural movements often begin at the shoulder and the character's torso is left relatively stiff. This reduces both the believability and expressiveness of the resulting motion. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.