Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses directed toward an authoring tool that gives users the ability to make high-quality, speech-driven animation in which the animated character speaks in the user's voice. Embodiments of the present invention allow the animation to be sent as a message over the Internet or used as a set of instructions for various applications including Internet chat rooms. According to one embodiment, the user chooses a character and a scene from a menu, then speaks into the computer's microphone to generate a personalized message. Embodiments of the present invention use speech-recognition technology to match the audio input to the appropriate animated mouth shapes creating a professional looking 2D or 3D animated scene with lip-synced audio characteristics.