Helmed by three founders, Joanne, Mark and Sean, MotionElements.com is a unique marketplace that allows digital artists to browse, buy and sell Asian-themed keyed live footages, 2D / 3D animation, 3D models and other stock motion elements. We speak to them to find out more about their story.

Gwen: Hi MotionElements, thank you for accepting this interview at SGE. First, what is MotionElements and who is it for?
MotionElements: MotionElements is an online marketplace for the buying and selling of digital assets – the eBay of stock footages, animation and 3D models. It’s for post-production houses, 2D/3D animators, motion graphics designers and creatives in the media industry and anyone who wants an easy way of creating and enhancing videos.

Gwen: How did the idea come about?
MotionElements: Pain. The idea was borne because we personally felt that if such a platform existed, life would be so much sweeter. It was a need that was not met in the market.

Gwen: Tell us more about the team and your backgrounds before this.
MotionElements: 3 friends – Joanne, Mark and Sean. Joanne and Mark are partners in a post-production studio that they started called Emoxis (www.emoxis.com). Sean was in consulting and finance and does not pretend to know anything about digital media previously.

Gwen: How did you guys get together to work on MotionElements?
MotionElements: We met through common friends a while ago, and also briefly worked together creating corporate videos in our previous roles. Mark and Joanne had pondered on the idea a while ago, and Sean was roped in only later over a weekend lunch at Robertson Quay.

Gwen: What is your business model?
MotionElements: MotionElements is a platform that connects buyers and sellers. We want to make it simple and fruitful for the user to come and find exactly what elements he/she needs for his/her job for a reasonable price. Conversely, we allow the user to monetize his/her previous creations which are sitting idle on a hard-disk by using our platform to sell to other users.
Our role is one of quality control, creating an effective search tool and gathering a lively community of creatives to exchange and enhance each other’s works.

Gwen: How are you different from other video aggregation sites? And how do you intend to keep out competition?
MotionElements: We focus on content with Asian influences and aim to gather a large database of quality stock footage, animations and 3D models from the top creatives in this region. This stock motion video-exchange space is not as crowded today as say, the still picture-exchange space. Thus we want to forge ahead quickly to establish quality standards; build an easy-to-use and secure site to attract the best quality creations.

Gwen: At what stage of development is MotionElements at currently? And do you intend to add any more features?
MotionElements: We’ve soft launched MotionElements at the recent BroadcastAsia and CG Overdrive in June 2008 to a notably receptive crowd. A substantial number of enquires have been made regarding the contribution of content material and the purchase of elements.
The site is open for business!

We do not rule out any new features, but at the moment we want to focus our energies on continuing to enhance the experience of using MotionElements.

Gwen: How has the journey been so far?
MotionElements: We have not killed or sacrificed anyone yet so guess that’s a good sign.

Gwen: What experiences can you share with other entrepreneurs?
MotionElements: Do not DIY – find a team where each person has a set of complementary skills. Also, make plans to the best of your abilities, but allow room for massive changes.

Gwen: Thank you for your time, and all the best!

Editor’s Note: Bernard and Gwen are with Thymos Capital, an investor in MotionElements.