Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward methods and computer graphics systems that can capture from a plurality of depth-sensing digital cameras, a series of images of an actor's face, and, in real time, without giving the actor special training and without using physical face markings, (1) extract from each of the captured images a set of facial landmarks of the actor's face; (2) transform those facial landmarks into a vector of expression blendshape coefficients that each correspond to a component expression identified in the actor's face; and then (3) output the vector of expression blendshape coefficients to a graphics rendering engine, where the vector can be applied to corresponding expression blendshapes associated with a digital avatar's face, thereby enabling the live actor's facial expressions to be transferred mathematically and rendered to the digital avatar's face in real time without revealing an image of the actor's face.