Ellen started her academic studies concentrating on the theatre, studying Drama at Manchester University and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School before working all over the country in rep theatres such as Salisbury Playhouse, the Palace Theatre Centre Westcliffe on Sea, and the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh. Further post-graduate study at Bristol University led her to film and television where she worked as a Production Manager with a number of BAFTA and Oscar award-winning producers and directors such as Roger Graef, Shaun Sutton, Michael Darlow, Beeban Kidron, and Andrew and Kevin Macdonald. She has worked on documentaries and dramas for the BBC and Channel Four; credits include The Making of An Englishman, Sunny Spells, funded by British Screen, The Commission, a three-part documentary series for Channel Four, and Spy in the Cab for the BBC.
Through her own company Ellen's work has gone on to win awards on the international festival circuit as well as selling throughout Europe. She completed a number of Digital Shorts for the Film, one of which won the best short award at the Edinburgh Film Festival. Whilst freelancing as a producer, Ellen operated as co-chair of the New Producers Alliance and as a Consultant for Sony Broadcast launching their new 24P high definition digital equipment internationally. Theatre and event management work has continued, most recently producing a three day open air event in Hoxton Square for the National Youth Theatre attended by over two thousand people.
Ellen has worked as an industry trainer for regional screen agencies and the short course unit at the National Film School, and has been a senior lecturer and consultant for a number of high profile universities including Ravensbourne, London College of Communications and the Surrey Institute of Art and Design. She has completed her four year term as an external examiner for the both the Northern Film School (BA and MA courses) and London Metropolitan University and is now an external for Middlesex University.