1) The easiest method would be to use a task. Here is some sample code:
Code:
import viz
viz.go()
avatar = viz.add('vcc_female.cfg',pos=(0,0,5),euler=(180,0,0))
import viztask
def AvatarTask():
avatar.state(2)
yield viztask.waitTime(3)
avatar.state(3)
viztask.schedule(AvatarTask)
2) Ideally, all your animations should start and stop facing the same direction. By default, when you transition between animation states, the avatar will blend between the current pose and the new animation pose. The quick turn you see is due to this blending. There is an optional
delay parameter in the avatar.state command which controls how long the blending should take place. Try setting it to 0, it should remove the blending.