@ VWD.  I think you can be sure that there is a lot of admiration for what you've done even though many others who are interested may choose not to comment.

As for creating realistic animation, another development that is now coming to be within the grasp of the ordinary person at home is motion capture.  There is a lot of excitement about an affordable motion capture set-up called Perception Neuron.

With such a device and realistic cloth and hair, excellent results will surely follow.