Popular CBC Show, ‘Still Standing’, Sets up in Fenelon Falls
As the Manager of the Chamber of Commerce I get some interesting inquiries and so it was very exciting in the spring of 2021 when a tv production company reached out about filming an episode in Fenelon Falls. Fast forward a few months and Jonny Harris, along with the crew from CBC’s “Still Standing” are on location in the village. For more on the show I spoke with Anne Francis, the Executive Producer. Here’s our behind the scenes Q & A.
Q: How long have you been with the show?
A: I’ve been with the show since the 4th season and the show is wrapping up it’s 7th season with the final episode in Fenelon Falls. This will be the 85th episode and the majority of the crew has been with the show from the very beginning.
Q: What is your favourite part of the job?
A: I really enjoy putting the stories together in post production. I used to travel with the show and getting to see Canada from coast to coast to coast was the best part. The show has taken us to places where we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to go or even know about.
Q: From your perspective what impact does the show have on the communities who are showcased?
A: Generally we under estimate where we live and so the show offers an outside perspective on each community. During the live show we’re able to bring the community together with a toast, not roast about the amazing and special people and places in the community. The show reaches a broad demographic and brings together the greater Canadian community. People taking “Still Standing” road trips in their rvs. They plan their route based on the communities showcased in a certain season. There has also been an increase in real estate sales because people chose to move to a community that “Still Standing” visited.
Q: What is the craziest thing you’ve had to try and capture as part of the show?
A: Jonny is up for anything and has had some serious tumbles but the cameraman also has to capture the shot. One cameraman had to try rock climbing for the first time, in his jeans, while also filming! Sometimes just getting to the location is the craziest part. The crew travels with more than 90 bags of equipment. For one episode the crew and the gear were getting to location on a fishing boat across the Bay of Fundy. The tide was out when the gear was loaded and when the boat arrived at their destination so it was a lot of work packing everything down from the dock to the boat and back up again. While in Churchill, MB we saw 9 polar bears and had to have “bear guards” with rifles. There was even a polar bear right outside the hotel.
Q: What are your favourite show destinations and are there show location(s) you would like to visit as a tourist?
A: The North is my favourite place where we’ve filmed the show. I would like to take the train to Churchill during polar bear season, visit the Yukon, Newfoundland and really anywhere on the East Coast.
Q: Are you a city person or small town person?
A: I live in a big city but I’m a small town person at heart.
Q: What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
My family eats the same food every Christmas and we wear the paper hats from our Christmas crackers for the entire meal. I travel a lot for work so I look forward to Christmas Eve and relaxing with my family.
We want to send out a big thank you to Anne for taking the time for the interview and to Jonny and the crew from “Still Standing” for choosing Fenelon Falls. May you all enjoy a wonderful break over the holidays and come back to visit us very soon.
Marylee Boston
Fenelon Falls & District Chamber of Commerce
To learn more about Jonny Harris’ trip to Fenelon Falls, check out this article by Geoff Coleman, originally featured in the Lindsay Advocate!
