Corporate presentations will go Hollywood. Web posts will get higher production values. And you’ll be the Godfather. Or the Dude. Or the Employee of the Month.
That’s the idea behind Yoostar ($170, yoostar.com), released in late August by start-up Yoostar Entertainment Group. The system lets you digitally insert yourself into popular scenes from movies, television shows, and sports events.
The Yoostar package includes PC- or Mac-compatible software, a high-grade Web cam and microphones, and a portable green screen. Placing the screen behind you enables the system to record your image and replace the green background with film footage. (It’s the same kind of technology that pastes TV weather reporters over giant, animated maps.)
Along with its product, Yoostar is launching a social networking site where people can post and share their performances. A widget also allows users to embed video on Facebook or other personal sites.
At launch, Yoostar comes with 14 video clips of 38 roles that you can re-enact from scripts or ad lib with your own lines. The company has agreements in place with five major movie studios, the NBA, and Sesame Street, and will keep adding films, TV shows, and news and sports clips to a library of items that users can purchase and download ($1 to $4 per clip).
