sounds like the old way of doing things

if i remember right on the news when toy story first came out years ago they mentioned how they had lots of faces made for woody and showed a whole lot of physical models for his head with various expressions

sounded like it was a lot quicker to do it that way back then and since it worked i wouldn't be too sirprised if people still use it.

i've not seen such things in the past recent years though..
but then maybe it doent look as impressive on the special features as showing shots of maya...