Computer implemented methods for interactively modifying a video image are provided. The video image can be transmitted between a first user and a second user using a computer program that is executed on at least one computer in a computer network. Additionally, the first user and the second user interact through respective computing systems that at least partially execute the computer program. A video capture system is provided that is interfaced with the computer program that can be used to capture real-time video of the first user. The method continues by identifying components of the video image of the first user that can be modified using real-time effects in the captured real-time video. In another operation, the method identifies controller input from either the first user or the second user. The controller input detected by the computing system is identified to determine which of the identified components of the first user will be modified. In response to the identified controller input, another operation of the method augments the real-time video captured of the first user by applying the real-time effects to the identified components of the first user. The method then displays the augmented real-time video of the first user on a screen connected to the computing system of one or both of the first and second users.