Pasadena-based BigStage Entertainment, the software firm developing technology to easily create avatars based on digital photos, just rolled out a public beta of the firm’s technology this morning. BigStage’s beta, which requires the download of a browser plug-in, allows users to upload three digital photos of themselves and create an three dimensional avatar. The firm’s technology is based on research out of the University of Southern California.

One interesting feature of the beta is a link with Los Angeles-based Vidigreet, which develops online greeting cards. Vidigreet’s cards — humorous little snippets you can send to your friends — normally feature actors and actresses filmed by the firm. But, with BigStage, your own 3D avatar gets placed into the video snippets. It’s an interesting example of some of the local convergence between the technology world and Hollywood.

Below, playing around with my avatar on the left. Real headshot of myself on the right. Looks like I’ve lost quite a few years and gained a stylish new hairdo…

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Hollywood, Startups, Technology by Benjamin Kuo