One of the world's first humanoid synthetic TV characters, codenamed Carmen (right), is slated to host a prime-time TV show in Portugal.
Carmen will be controlled by an actor wearing a motion-capture bodysuit and face tracker; the actor chats with guests via monitors. It was no small task to find a host to fill Carmen's, um, shoes. She needs Barbara Walters's flair but none of her ego, since the fame goes to an avatar.
Carmen is the fifth real-time animation from Venice, California-based Real Cartoons/Mr. Film Inc., joining Basil the Basset (left), Hilbur, Top Cat, and Kalo. And she's the third character to be exported abroad. Why so many European cybercharacters? Says Chris Walker, president of Real Cartoons, "They're just hipper over there."
ELECTRIC WORD
Portuguese Pixel Puppet
