StartMotions is a non-profit, environmetally friendly animation studio. Our goals revolve around issues facing animals and the environment. As an animation studio, we make kid-friendly, universal, and educational animations. We're the first of our kind, but openly display our buisness model in order to promote more earth-friendly, artist and entrepreneur collaborations. StartMotions is always evolving within a mission of compassion and education...it's innovative, resourceful, cost effective, efficient, and inspiring, and most importantly, life-changing.
StartMotions aims to consistantly maintain the environmentally friendly nature of our studio. By using materials that are reused, donated, recycled, organic, and found, we are able to produce unique characters, props, and sets that use the earth-friendly materials in the most creative and imaginable ways possible. This resourcefullness is also the main reason that our production costs are so low. The average cost of materials for one animal puppet is only $1.30! Though the puppets take an average of 52 hours each to create, the payoff for their long-term investment is huge, and benefits both StartMotions and the environment.
We are mainly funded through generous donations and our Gift Shop, which carries products that collaborate with our mission.
We hope to encourage similar actions in businesses, coporations, and households around the world. We'll continually be updating the way we reach people to better show them how to become more earth friendly. If more of us start helping the earth today, all species will be thankful tomorrow.
Currently, 20% of all proceeds are directly protecting thretened animals, plants, and land through StartMotions "Land Preservation Fund", the remaining 80% go directly to the making of our earth friendly animations. We will be using the "Land Preservation Fund" funding for the purchase of threatened or damaged land. Within each land project we will be using biomimicry and sustainable thinking to resolve human and animal conflicts, solve land use issues, and establish re-release programs that specialize on increasing numbers of animals endangered because of humans. We will be working to help everyone live in harmony with the natural world as inexpensively and easily as possible. As StartMotions grows, we intend to expand the programs to include our Land Preservation Fund. StartMotions will purchase threatened land or damaged land, rehabilite it (if necessary) with the most natural means avaliable, and preserve it for future generations. If you'd like to donate to any particular program, or to the Two By Two Project please click here. Our sister Organization EcoFilms is a budding organization that will focus on creating environmentally friendly, quality entertainment. EcoFilms has an online "film" fesitval featuring movies and shorts made with environmentally friendly methods and/or materials. Eventually, EcoFilms will have a fellowship and/or grant program, and an annual film festival that recognizes innovation in environmentally friendly movie-making. We have a lot more in store! StartMotions has a strong passion to protect our environment for future generations. Our current goals are subject to change in detail, but the mission behind them will remain the same.
Our Future Plans
2006-2007
Animation Shorts, including an ABC animation of endangered animals and how they benefit their environment.
Two By Two book, featuring everyone of the 60 species highlighted in the animation, including photos of the real animal, photos of the puppet, drawings of the animal, and detailed information about the real animal, including it?s status, characteristics, and how to help preserve it.
Completion of Two By Two, World Premiere, film festivals, and distribution.
Final development of educational curriculum, downloadable free for teachers, includes Two By Two book and movie.
2008-2011
Travel and research around the world. Animation shorts resulting from each research phase. Specifically highlighting human/animal conflicts and how to solve problems sustainably and in ways beneficial to both parties.
Acquisition and preservation of threatened land.
Acquisition and reestablishing of clear-cut/damaged land.
Pinpointing of problem areas and human/animal conflict areas in order to design and implement prototypes of success. (ex. the solar panel stoves in Africa replaces the need for hard-to-find wood that is cleared excessively each year to provide fire for cooking. The wood of which is extremely important for the survival of many species.)
Animated feature (undetermined)
Educational centers or programs established in schools in each research area. Building of sustainable living centers that specialize in re-release programs, re-foresting programs, and preservation programs, while providing local help with excellent employment.
2011 and beyond
Education Centers to aid in the establishment/metamorphosis of beginning or already established businesses and organizations.
The continuation of all past projects and philosophies with new adaptations.
Online donations are easy and secure, simply put "StartMotions" in the Designated Donation box. HealingEarth is our fiscal agent who will be handling your donation. Would you like to mail your donation?
