Custom Video-Realistic Animation

Creating a Custom Video-Realistic Animation

The student, a family member, a therapist/tutor/teacher or anyone really, can replace one of the stock animated characters in some of the FaceSay games. The first step is to take a high-resolution photo of the person. We confess, to get the video-realistic quality that we believe is so helpful, this can take a few tries to get the right photo. We think you'll agree it's worth the effort. This feature is still in beta, and will be an optional add-on once it is released.

Tips for Taking the Photo

What you'll need:

- A digital camera capable of a capturing a high resolution image (at least a 3 MegaPixel image size).
- Good lighting. Ideal lighting is outdoors, morning sun, in even shade (cast by a solid roof, say, rather than dappled leaves)
- Any non-reflective background is fine (no windows or mirrors, but no need for a green background, for example)
Preparing your subject

- Please ask your subject not to wear anything with a high collar. A collarless style ala a T-shirt is perfect.
- Please ask the person to remove any jewelry, glasses, hats, etc. that may cover or partially obscure the face, ears, etc.
- Please ask the person to pull/tie/brush back any hair over the face (for example no bangs)
Pose

- Ask the person to look into the camera, as if the camera were the face of a good friend, close family member, favorite pet, etc
- Ask the person to keep his/her mouth closed, and face relaxed, eyes open/bright, but not wide-eyed
- Ask him/her to have a neutral or very slight smile (big smiles will look funny when morphed to a frown)
Cropping/Composition

- Take the shot at the same eye level as the subject (shots from above/below or left/right will be asymmetrical)
- In framing the shot, please include at least two inches above the top of the head and two inches below the shoulders, as well as two inches on the left and right side of the head.
Capture at least three really good shots/photos

How the Animation Process Works

First complete the "model release form", assigning to us the rights to use your photos, but only for your custom FaceSay. Once the form is completed, you can upload or email your best photos to us. We can usually have a draft animation for you to review within 2 business days. Once you approve it, we'll send you a private link to install the custom animations on your PC.

Science Snapshot: FaceSay Participants Improved on...

Emotion Recognition

Face Recognition

Theory of Mind

Playground Social Interactions

Social Validity

RCT* (N=49)
RCT* (N=31)
MultiBaseline (N=7)
RCT* (N=49)
Case Study

RCT* (N=31)

RCT* (N=49)

RCT* (N=49)

Ages 6-14
Ages 5-11
Ages 7-11
Ages 6-14
Age 9

Ages 5-11

Ages 6-14

Ages 6-14

ASD: HFA, Classic
ASD: HFA
ASD: Classic
ASD HFA
Prosopagnosia

ASD: HFA

ASD: HFA, Classic

ASD: Classic

*Statistically Significant post-treatment improvements relative to post-measure for controls

Any Comparable Results?

After a dozen years and 100+ neat technology projects hoping to improve social interactions, only FaceSay has achieved generalization to everyday life, and only FaceSay has shown improvements in Emotion Recognition, Face Recognition and Theory of Mind.

Our Story

At a family reunion ages ago, my brother-in-law and I were off in a corner talking shop, while everyone else was socializing. Frank, a brilliant neuroscientist, had a neat idea to use software avatars (puppets) as conversational, cognitive therapy. If you've heard Apple's Siri say goofy things, you'll understand why we punted after a year :-).
Read More

Can FaceSay Really Help?

Using FDA approval as a high scientific standard, I can't yet claim that FaceSay is therapeutic. I need another solid randomized controlled study before I submit for FDA approval.

I can say that the data suggests FaceSay will work best for students on the spectrum in the normal to above average IQ range, ages 5-12. We don't have data to identify specific subgroups who might benefit most.

The group statistics from the RCTs should most benefit schools, private practitioners, social service agencies, etc who serve groups of children.

If you are a family, your best bet is to first download the free trial to see if your child likes playing the games. If you then buy FaceSay and it does not help at all, I'll gladly refund the purchase price.

If you are an adult or older teen on the spectrum, the games might be too cute (maybe not :-) ), but the underlying ideas could be helpful. Until I release something for you, I'm happy to provide a free license of the kids version in exchange for feedback on my next set of ideas. Contact me.