The Vault
Study guides, reference videos, and deep dives on how faces move. Unlock the Vault with a key.
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Inside the Vault
9 study guides and reference libraries · 19 deep dives
Study guide
FACS Study Guide
Every FACS action unit with video, neutral comparisons, the muscles behind each, and notes. Plus actions FACS leaves out.
Study guide
Upper Face Study Guide
Inner brow raiser (AU1) to lid tightener (AU7), with the muscles behind each and how they combine.
Study guide
Lower Face Study Guide
Upper lip raiser (AU10) to lips suck (AU28): smiles, frowns, presses, jaw drop, and more.
Study guide
Eyebrow Combos Study Guide
The 7 brow combinations of AU1, AU2, and AU4, shown from multiple angles with descriptions.
Video library
FACS Video References
Action units on video with draw-overs, with extra focus on brow lowering (AU4).
Video library
Emotion Reference Videos
Unposed emotional reactions captured in real moments, with context for each clip.
Guide
Viseme & Speech Guide
Viseme and phoneme reference videos at 1x and slow motion, for lipsync and speech rigs.
Guide
ARKit to FACS Translation Guide
How each ARKit face shape translates to FACS action units, and the common mistranslations to avoid.
Guide
Posed Expression Captures Guide
Common mistakes in posed expression capture sessions for FACS-based data and reference, and how to avoid them.
Upper face actions
4 deep dives
Nasolabial actions
2 deep dives
Lips & smiles
4 deep dives
Anatomy, wrinkles, and variation
5 deep dives
Character design & emotions
3 deep dives
Face tracking
1 deep dive
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The Vault
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- An archive of study guides, reference videos, and deep dives
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Courses
For structured learning
- FACS, lipsync, or expression mechanics, taught start to finish, live or on demand
- One payment per course. Video access for 2+ years; lecture slides (PDF) are yours to keep.
- Sold separately from the Vault. Yearly Keyholders get $50 off.
“Melinda Ozel’s resources on face anatomy, motion, and FACS are industry standard. During my time working on The Last of Us Part II (and other unannounced Playstation titles) I referred to it almost exclusively on a regular basis. The free material is great but the pay material is worth the cost.”
Eric Drobile, Technical Animator
“I’ve been working as a Facial Blendshape Artist across film and gaming and have watched the quality of my work improve exponentially since I’ve had access to this wealth of knowledge that Melinda has so thoughtfully put together. Her documentation is clear, appealing, and comprehensive. If Paul Ekman is the father of FACS, Melinda has become the cool aunt.”
Ioana Alexandra Pirvu, Lead Blendshape Artist @ Rockstar Games
Made by
Melinda Ozel
I’m a facial systems expert working across animation, AI, and robotics. I was a founding member of the Meta Quest Pro face-tracking team and am a co-inventor on three patents in avatar animation. My film work includes AI de-aging on Here, AI lipsync on Watch the Skies, and chimpanzee expressions for Jane.
Questions
Can I cancel?
Yes. Monthly and yearly keys renew until you cancel, and your access lasts until the end of the period you paid for. The 2- and 3-month plans and team plans never renew.
Are courses included?
No. Courses are sold separately from the Vault. Yearly Keyholders get $50 off any course.
How do team keys work?
Your studio gets one main account with a set number of keys. Assign a key to each person who needs access, and swap people in and out whenever you need. A 10-key plan covers 10 people at a time.
What can I see without a key?
The free cheat sheets and articles in the Library, plus AU1 and AU2 in the FACS Study Guide.
Does a fixed plan renew?
No. The 2- and 3-month plans are a single payment. Access ends on its own when the period is over.