Such embodiments can operate where the set of audio characteristics comprises a tempo value, and where generating the one or more motion values comprises selecting a motion pattern speed for a first control point of the computer animation model to match a first harmonic of the tempo value. Such embodiments can further involve periodically randomly selecting a new motion state from the plurality of motion states, generating one or more new motion values of the new motion state using the set of audio characteristics, and updating the video using the one or more new motion values with the new motion state to change the animated action within the video.
Some embodiments further involve updating the set of audio characteristics over time in response to changes in the audio data and updating the one or more motion values in response to changes in the set of audio characteristics over time. For some such embodiments, the computer animation model is associated with one or more audio animation criteria used to initiate the animated action within the video. Additionally, in some embodiments, the method can further involve comparing the set of audio characteristics with the one or more audio animation criteria and selecting a default state for the computer animation model when the set of audio characteristics does not meet the one or more audio animation criteria, wherein the plurality of motion states does not include the default state. Other criteria can be used as described above for initiating the animation or for selecting different animation state-spaces based on analysis of audio data and matching to a designed motion state-space for a computer animation model.