Directing Avatars in Live Performances -- an Autonomy Simulacrum of Virtual Entities

We propose to review the main stages in the computer history of virtual actors, with a view to the exploration of virtual reality and discussion on different approaches to human simulation. The notion of autonomy emerges as a key issue for the virtual entities. We then explore one way of building elements of autonomy and conclude with an example of avatar stage direction leading to a simulacrum of autonomy in a live performance.