CrazyTalk 8 Standard
Turn yourself – or any other face – into an animated talking head
$49 Developer Reallusion, reallusion.com/crazytalk Requirements OS X 10.9 or later, 4GB RAM, 1280x768 display, 2.4GB HDD space
If you’ve not encountered CrazyTalk before, it’s facial animation software. You import images of a face, or work with pre-defined templates, gradually adding to and refining a 3D talking head that dynamically responds to scripts. Once you’re happy with your creation – be it an angry painting, jovial talking pumpkin, or cartoonish superhero – you export the results as a movie to entertain and/or horrify your friends.
The software comes in three different versions. Pipeline ($199) and PRO ($149) are aimed at professionals. We’re reviewing Standard ($49) here. It’s a more limited, consumer-oriented tool, but very much not a toy. Although CrazyTalk is relatively simple to work with, it’s a long way from those iPhone apps where you superimpose another head onto your own. CrazyTalk is comparatively involved, with a tools- and palette-heavy interface more reminiscent of an Adobe product.
That all said, work through the online documentation and you should get up to speed relatively quickly – and the basics of the app are accessible by way of friendly walkthroughs. To get started, snap a photo of yourself, import it into the app, drag some lines and dots about so CrazyTalk knows where various bits of your face are located, and then stare aghast at the digital monster you’ve created. Within 15 minutes or so, you too can have a kind of zombie mirrorimage of yourself, lip-syncing to dialog.
The effect somewhat resembles videogame characters from a few years back, but then you’re not going to get Pixar-level “realism” with 50 bucks and dragging some handles
around. On that basis, CrazyTalk is impressive in its abilities to automate motion in a lifelike manner, and it provides plenty of tools for further
refining the virtual you. These range from masking and replacing the background to a kind of terrifying “teeth settings” panel.
Of course, you don’t have to use a photo. You can start with a reasonably high-res image of anyone or anything with a face. The app also bundles templates, such as a clanky robot, a cat, and a couple of almost-humans (the overly polished Anne and rugged but dead-eyed Jack), to urge you in other creative directions. CrazyTalk is entertaining and intriguing, but be mindful of the time investment it needs.
the bottom line. Somewhat awkwardly sits between consumer fun and professional tool, but worth investing time and money in if you’re interested in animation.