Frequently Asked Questions
Here we answer any commonly encounted queries asked of us. If you would like answers to a question not listed, please write to us under the 'CONTACT' tab on the website.
01
Is the YouTube channel in-world?
No. In-world, our three characters are vlogging seperately and independently of one another and uploading their videos on their own personal channels. Out-of-world, those fictional channels do not exist, and all videos show up on one YouTube channel. This is the best format for the story we are trying to tell as well as for the multiple perspectives we are choosing to tell the story with, and we have found that it is the most streamlined way to get the story across with our small resources and time.
02
Do the characters watch each other's videos?
Unless they specifically state having done so, they generally do not. They are so involved in each others' day-to-day lives and/or don't know about each other's videos, that they have little reason for watching them unless specifically provoked by the plot.
03
Why are Gwen and Cecily obsessed with the name "Ernest"?
While their obsession can be taken literally for comedy's sake, the name itself is not the primary reason for their love of it. It's true that Ernest is not a particularly inspiring name. In the show it stands as more of a literal marker as to how fastly each woman holds on to her personal conception of the "ideal man" or "ideal life".
04
Why do the characters sometimes seem to speak in an "old-fashioned" manner? Isn't this show a modernization?
This question amuses us because we never knew that how the characters speak would so often be perceived as "old-fashioned". Our characters' dialect of English is actually fashioned after the way we three creators (and friends that inspired our incarnations of these characters) speak in real life: we do not lie. The phrases and vocabulary that appear in the show are mirrors of the way we speak. It matched how we wanted our characters to sound, so we decided to go forward with it. Additionally, our scripts are written in much the same format as sictoms: the script exists but is written in such a way that it allows our actors to change the wording of anything they want and also improv wherever they so desire. It was important to us to cast strong improvisational actors, so much of what you hear is based on the way they speak as well! Perhaps we are all old-fashioned?
05
What is "the crossover"?
The crossover is the result of a partnership that In Earnest has formed with the Canadian webseries Green Gables Fables. Anne Shirley and Cecily Cardew found each other through Tumblr and became fast Internet friends, using Twitter, Tumblr, Google Hangouts, phones, and vlogs to communicate from Avonlea to Woolton. These two series exist in the same universe.
06
Where in the web series universe does In Earnest even exist? Why is GGF real and NMTD not?
Well, we'll share a hint to solve all problems: 1895.
07
Why is the show not as hyper-realistic as some web series?
***Spoilers ahead*** There are a few reasons for this. While we consider our show to be realistic, we also have a desire to maintain some of the whimsy and farce that makes Wilde's work so brilliant and unique. Therefore, some suspension of disbelief is required, but then again, that's the case with any webseries to an extent, particularly with comedies. To make the show more realistic than its play counterpart, however, we have changed the show from straight comedy to a comedy-drama.
It was also important to us to maintain at least some elements of satire in our series, as The Importance of Being Earnest is a strong piece of satirical work. While one or two original elements have been preserved, we have chosen to satirize completely different issues relative to modern culture. So some satire remains, but the objects of satire are different. In order to pull it off, however, sometimes story elements or character actions will seem less realistic. We won't tell you what exactly we're doing however - that's for you to analyze, if you so desire!
We have also enjoyed the freedom Wilde's play has given us to bring to life uncommon situations. Whatever we may choose to do, you can bet he wrote something even more ridiculous. We have enjoyed working with characters who get engaged quickly or who live with slightly different identities - while uncommon, these situations exist. Everyone has heard of someone who gets engaged after knowing someone for only twelve days, or who gets engaged one day and married three days later (citing personal examples). It has been fun to work with characters who are the type of people to do uncommon things.
08
Do you have a budget?
Absolutely not. Rachel works multiple jobs, Taryn works as well and also picks up the occasional photography client, and Carly is the queen of baked goods. We generally use paychecks to buy Ramen Noodles, shampoo, and school books. If there's extra, we'll buy a prop or a light, but we can't really say we have any sort of budget to work with.