The company that is planning to resurrect the late singer Selena Quintanilla in digital form launched a crowd-funding campaign Thursday while also providing more details about what it says will be a groundbreaking project.
In addition to announcing the IndieGoGo campaign on the anniversary of her birthday, San Diego-based Acrovirt said it was working with scientists and Selena's family to create a computerized version of "The Queen of Tejano music."
The digital version of Selena is not a hologram, the company insisted, but instead a new form of technology called "acrovirt." The word comes from the Greek "acro," for beginning, and "virt" for virtual.
Abelardo Rodriguez, a spokesman for Acrovirt, said computers are going to take footage of Selena to mimic her movements, voice, and mannerisms. When Selena The One is performing, people will see a 3D high-definition image of the singer on screen.
"It's like seeing Selena in the room," Rodriguez said.
It would not, he added, mimic the much-hyped appearance of the late Tupac at Coachella in 2012. That method involved projecting a CGI image of the rapper using mirror reflections to make him appear on stage.
In a statement, Acrovirt said the technology will combine Selena's "biological and historical information" to create the singer's predictive mind, body, and voice.
"The individual's acrovirt will autonomously learn, act, and react as its human donor would," the company said. "Selena's acrovirt will interact in various forms in music, media-entertainment, film, TV, and online-file sharing opportunities."
In the IndieGoGo video released Thursday, Acrovirt co-founder Terry Kennedy said Selena "will be the symbolic Eve of the digital world."
The company is working with UC San Diego, as well as neuroscience and cognitive science researchers, Kennedy said.
"We believe the best musical artists have either passed away or they're no longer creating new music," Kennedy said. "This digital embodiment will move, sing, dance, and perform like Selena had done in the past."
Selena The One will sing and star in music videos for two songs previously recorded by the singer titled "No Llores Mas Corazon" and "Como Te Quiero a Ti." It will also sing an English-language untitled song not previously performed by Selena, Acrovirt said.
The digital Selena will also perform live during the Digital Essence Tour in 2018.
Selena's father, Abraham Quintanilla, and sister, Suzette Quintanilla — both of whom appear in the IndieGoGo video — expressed enthusiasm for the project.
"We are very, very excited to announce the creation of the personified essence of Selena made digital for all her fans," Quintanilla said. "It was about time for the return of Selena."
Acrovirt hopes to raise $500,000 in 33 days to continue developing Selena The One, though the company said it would move forward even if it doesn't reach its goal.
The company expects to roll out other acrovirts after the launch of Selena The One, said Rodriguez, the spokesman for the company.