A method of animating a computer generated character in real-time through a single person performance is disclosed. The method provides a mobile input device configured to receive a hand puppetry movement as an input from a performer. Further, the method provides a motion capture device that includes a plurality of markers. The motion capture device is configured to be worn on the body of the performer. Motion capture data is received at a computer. The motion capture data is representative of the positions of the plurality of markers. In addition, input device data is received from the mobile input device at the computer. A computer generated animated character is then generated, the body movements of the character being based on the motion capture data, and head and facial movements being based on the input device data received from the mobile input device.