More Than a Market: GY Filmmakers Capture the Human Stories Behind the Holiday Fair
By Jen Weening
One of my favourite things about the Grade 12 Communications Technology curriculum is that it reads a bit like a blank slate: the course requirements are open and flexible enough to respond to student interests from one year to the next.
Back in early November, I spoke with my class about which skills they wanted to develop next, and what type of project they would want to work towards. They responded with a resounding vote for a large-scale video project, so with that, we dove into the theory and practice behind documentary filmmaking and set about determining a subject for our own documentaries.
With the help of the Community Relations department and their involvement in organizing the annual CDS Holiday Fair, we were able to connect with three local, community-connected vendors who would be attending the fair in the weeks that followed, and as a class, we determined that we would create a series of “human-scale” portraits to tell the stories behind the small businesses these vendors represented.
Back
A Client-Based Approach
This project was not a typical homework assignment. Students were tasked with a serious professional challenge: working with a real client to tell their story. This required a level of maturity and "on-the-job" learning that cannot be simulated in a textbook.
Teams had to coordinate production schedules with busy vendors, navigate the ethics of representation, and solve real-world logistical problems—whether that meant setting up audio gear in a busy school kitchen or filming in a vendor’s home workspace. They learned that in documentary filmmaking, "working with a client" is a responsibility that cannot be taken lightly.
Discovering the Narrative
The success of these films lies in the students' ability to look past the product and the technical requirements and really uncover the human-centred story behind the business.
- They captured the story of DMc Sauce Co., where Drew McGowran, husband of CDS Alum Leslie (Guldimann) McGowran '09, shared how a 2019 garden harvest and a pandemic pivot turned a stay-at-home dad’s hobby into a family business.
- They followed CDS staff member Leesa Witten of Leesa Bakes, documenting how she used a milestone birthday as the catalyst to finally launch her dream business of baking cookies and cinnamon buns.
- They profiled the creative forces CDS parent Christine Drake of Drake Custom Designs, showcasing the expertise and craftsmanship involved in her work.
The Final Cut
The technical execution of these videos is fantastic, but the students’ true achievement is the storytelling. Students spent hours in post-production, not just editing video, but "sculpting" the narrative—removing the "ums," finding the emotional heart of an interview, and weaving together imagery that shows, rather than tells, the vendor's dedication.
We invite you to watch these profiles. You will see more than just a recap of some moments from the 2025 Holiday Fair; you will see the hard work of our students honouring the stories of members of our local community. Please enjoy.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
