Born and raised in the magical Wye Valley of South Wales, Ellie has an intimate, inherent connection to the natural world. A thriving relationship with nature enriches every aspect of life, including the whirlwind of the screen sector, and during a summer break from university, Ellie witnessed this firsthand. Thanks to serendipity, nepotism, and some well-timed laser eye surgery, Ellie had the chance to join a Netflix production as a supporting artist. Witnessing the production engage in sustainability through the hard work and energy of their ‘environmental steward’ shone light onto an avenue of work that would combine the values and practices that Ellie has always valued. 

After persuading the brilliant environmental steward to consider taking her on as a trainee - a task made easier and more accessible by virtue of being her daughter - Ellie spent the rest of the summer working to improve the social and environmental output of the production, an experience that fundamentally altered the course of her life. 

Ellie returned to complete her Masters in Religious Studies at the University of Edinburgh, graduating in June 2022. Though not necessarily vocational, this course embodied many of the same principles and approaches that Ellie has continued to employ throughout her career thus far; navigating conflict or challenging discourse, identifying opportunities for community building and outreach, handling data and writing at length (often across the course of a night in the library) have all later proven to be skills invaluable as a sustainability manager. Above all, Religious Studies asks big questions about life on Earth, and reminds us why each of us have a vital role to play during our time here. 

The following autumn, Ellie was invited to join a Hulu production, and so began the next chapter. Subsequent years have been shaped by the pursuit of bringing this engaged, enriched sustainability practice to productions, tailored to the specificities of each. The ethos of this role is about psychology and society as much as it is science: people, as much as planet. 

In doing this work, Ellie recognised the need for other sustainability practitioners to be trained for the Welsh screen sector and beyond. To do so, she established Earth to Action, and partnered with Tilly Ashton, Sustainability Lead for Severn Screen (and superlative mother of four). The pair designed and delivered the inaugural sustainability coordinator training programme in 2024 and 2025, creating funded opportunities for 12 people across Wales. 

Since its inception (in a coworking space on the southwestern tip of Bali), Earth to Action has been honoured to work with incredible people and organisations across the screen sector. From speaking at events to delivering workshops, each day is different; and, of course, often in step with the busy life of a production. It’s a pleasure, a privilege, and a deeply loved pursuit.

Next up for Ellie and Earth to Action: more international contracts, further community engagement, greater challenges, and ever wider reach!