1. A method of operating a system for creating an animated sequence of images from one or more still images of a particular object from a plurality of objects or a particular living being from a plurality of living beings, the system comprising at least one processor for communicatively coupling to a display device for displaying the animated sequence of images and to an image capture device for capturing a plurality of images of a user of the system, the method comprising: extracting, by the at least one processor, one or more portions of an image of the particular object or the particular living being from the one or more still images; applying, by the at least one processor, the one or more portions of an image of the particular object or the particular living being to corresponding surface portions of a mathematical model created using physical characteristics of the plurality of objects or the plurality of living beings; animating, by the at least one processor, the mathematical model according to motion information selected by a user of the system; rendering, by the at least one processor, one or more images from the mathematical model at corresponding positions of the animation; and transmitting, to the display device by the at least one processor, the one or more rendered images for display.