Many months ago I had an idea for an online comedy series. I scribbled various influences — Amy Sedaris, Shaun Micallef — and fragmentary ideas — etiquette instruction; a fallible, deranged host — into various notebooks and wondered how on earth I was going to shoot it when I had no money, no camera, no sound equipment, no lighting and no location. You might say the odds were against me. But practicalities should never defeat creativity, dammit.
As fortune would have it, I managed by pure serendipity to meet two terribly interesting guys — Dusty Wright and Ed Bennett — who became instrumental in bringing these scribbled thoughts to life. They heard my episode ideas and were all “Sure, let’s shoot those”. And I was all “Really? That seemed too easy. What if they suck?” And they were all “Meh, let’s just try it”.
And so we did.
The show came to be known as The Elegant Guide. There are six episodes in total, and the overall concept is “deranged advice on modern life”. For the titles and release schedule, have a squiz at TheElegantGuide.com.
Here’s the first episode, The Elegant Guide to Poise:
I hope you like it!
And now, a humble request: I want to know what you want to see on Sprinkle of Ginger. More “how to” articles? More silly anecdotes? More New York experiences? Or something else entirely? Please let me know in the comments, because I’d love to write about the things you want to read about.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
More “how to” articles, more silly anecdotes and more New York experiences. Pretty Please.
P.S. I like your other vids…
Ok, this is just too weird… I’ve been subscribed to RB for ages. It makes my day when I see you there because, a) I have a thing for redheads, who doesn’t? b) I love your accent, who doesn’t? c) you’re hot! – there I said it! and finally d) your stories are entertaining. But, I admit, I don’t know much about you.
So, this morning, I’m watching your samurai episode, and while I’m watching you the word “poised” comes into my head. I’m just thinking, “she’s very poised and graceful”. As an older dude, I remember when people weren’t sloths, so I can still recognize poise (grin). Not a big deal, just a passing thought… I thought! With a few minutes to kill, I decided to find out a little more about Ella Morton. When I got to your “Elegant Guide” video, there you were, all poised and everything!? Is that weird or what? Anyway, it gave me a smile, so I thought I’d tell you about it.
Stories? “How-to’s”, done with your quirky point-of-view, are good. I particularly like the NYC stuff. As an Army brat, I’ve traveled all over, but only recently made my way to Manhattan, and absolutely loved it. Anything from there, presented like you do, is always great to watch.
Best regards,
Herschel
I will echo nearly all of Herschel’s sentiments, but not be too specific about which ones.
As to suggestions, I’d love to see you do more videos, I was thinking in particular, that you’d really shine doing a “schizo” personality-type extended bit (similar to the Poise one where you’re poised, then you’re a psycho b**** in the bottle-scene… but more extended.)
Your amazingly rich, seductive voice and accent would really contrast with a crazy-lady in an adjoining scene.
Thanks for doing a great job making us all laugh with your vignettes.
I love the fresh look on life, the simple pleasures video is one of my favourites, so yes more videos, but I like the adventures in NYC (Been thinking of checking it out myself sometime I just don’t have anyone to go with all alone in New York sounds scary to me)
Silly is good, anecdotes are good
Ella is doing good
Keep up the good work!
~T~
Mike in NJ: Fear not, there is some crazy-lady goodness coming up, especially in episode three. I won’t say too much, but it possibly involves me taping a child’s mouth shut. For example.
And thank you Mark, Herschel and Tony for the suggestions on what to write/make videos about! I’m taking notes here, people.
I think that having us tell you what we want to see could be stifling creativity wise. I stumbled upon this site through your Sesame Street interviews and I bookmarked this site simply because I liked what you were outputting. So I guess what I’m saying is I want to see what you want to create, as opposed to you creation what we want to see. I think your anecdotes are charming, your New York experiences are entertaining to hear about, and things like The Elegant Guide are just plain fun to watch. Just keep doing your thing and I’ll keep coming back.
More of your New York Experiences and just do what always do. I enjoy your videos.
I really like “What’s your name?”, i had people mispronounce my name a million times.
More NWC experiences, and not just the usual touristy highlights. More of the realities of life; the places that you and the RB crew like to hang out, the annoyances of public transport, the difference between the media’s idea of New York life and the reality.
Just a few thoughts.
I’d really like to see some videos/articles on social awkwardness. Yeah, that and all your usual stuff.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to say that you’re awesome. Your quirkiness and perspicacity lead to very interesting content!
Regards
Mr Smith
Hahahaha Ella I love it! It’s hilarious and you also look beautiful. I think this would make great material for part of your one woman show.
Please write endlessly about NYC for the “I-lived-in-NYC-for-three-months-and-now-declare-it-my-home-despite-not-currently-living-there” among us. But I love all your writing anyway.
I sent your Aussie package! It may come after Christmas due to apparent postal strikes down under and the apparent delays caused by Christmas itself. Bah humbug to that. Much love to you.
All of the above would be great, really. I especially like the anecdotes, though.
Hello Ella! I’ve been enjoying your videos! My comment is this: I think your elegant way of speaking works well with cut scenes to craziness, as in the ‘bottle wielding’ scene here, and also on your ’showreel’ video elsewhere. You’re obviously already mining elegance for comedic gold, keep it up!
Well, Herschel got it all right! ^^
I really like the style of that first part of the guide.
Like said before the fight scene makes a nice contrast, keep that up!
On your request: What was this site supposed to be?
I guess it’s no standard “hey that pic/vid/article is nice, i want to share it” page. At least not as trivial and fast living as those tend to be.
As far as I can tell you gathered some interesting pieces. A bit of wisdom here, some insigths into your life there. As well as some nice anecdotes. A quite good mix so far.
Do you want to give the sprinkle a (new) focus?
I would’t
Seriously, I have no Idea what to demand here. Sorry! ^^
I LOVE it!! I just found your site and am thrilled! You totally brightened up my day!
Hi Ella
Just discovered your website – I googled you
Just watched your comedy video, and although it was funny in parts, I don’t think its the right style of comedy for you. Because of your prim and proper way of talking, (ie very articulate), I would suggest that a darker style of comedy would be a wonderful contrast, and make the content even funnier. For an exmaple of dark humour I strongly suggest doing a search on youtube for some sketches by Chirs Morris’s ‘Jam’ comedy show. The ’sex for house’ is a pretty good one to start off with!
Anyway, keep up with the presenting as well as the writing. I am sure you will continue to ride the wave of success throughout 2010.