A research-intensive multimedia producer and communications expert specializing in documentary storytelling.
Work
Selected Documentaries
Clydesdale: Saving the Greatest Horse
The story of one of Scotland's most celebrated exports, and the efforts to save it from extinction.
I was associate producer on this film, produced for the BBC, and CBC Documentary. It won a Golden Sheaf Award (POV Documentary) at the 2021 Yorkton Film Festival.
Against All Odds: The RCAF Flyers
I spent almost three years working as development writer and researcher on this remarkable underdog story of Canada’s 1948 Olympic men’s hockey team. Produced for Rogers SportsNet. Nominated for a 2017 Canadian Screen Award for Best Sports Program.
The Autism Enigma
Exploring the progress of an international group of scientists looking for clues to the baffling disorder in an unexpected place: the human gut. I produced, co-directed and wrote this film for CBC's The Nature of Things.
Pharma Sutra
A look at the pharmaceutical industry's race to conquer the mysteries of female desire. I co-wrote and co-directed Pharma Sutra for CTV's W5.
Selected Shorts and Promos
Lara Kramer's Phantom, stills and vibrations
Indigenous artist and dancer, Lara Kramer creates an art piece that explores intergenerational trauma. Filmed and edited for Bodies in Translation and the Re-Vision Project.
Persimmon Blackbridge, Constructed Identities
A profile of artist Persimmon Blackbridge and her show, Constructed Identities, which tackles disability ideas around "normal" bodies. Directed, filmed and edited for the Revision project.
Shapes Race!
Written and produced for the University of Guelph's Office of Diversity and Human Rights, as a diversity-training tool. Animation by Hello Adventure.
Kid-Curated
A grade 4/5 class works together to program the children's portion of a local film festival. Directed and edited for the Guelph Film Festival.
I Am a Bystander
Looking at the crucial need for Active Bystander training.
Filmed, directed and edited for the University of Guelph's Wellness Education Centre.
Audio Projects
IMICO
The wild and weird story of a crumbling old foundry that became a place for art, music, and the home of a nudist, weed-worshipping church. Produced for CBC's OutFront, with my friend and colleague, Dawn Matheson.
The Gently Echoed Music
Iconic librarian, author and storyteller Rita Cox takes us on a journey from her childhood in Trinidad, to her legendary career in New York and Toronto, and discusses the fascinating origins of Caribbean folktales, the profound role of libraries, and how storytelling shaped her life. Produced and edited for Storytellers of Canada–Conteurs du Canada.
Three Threads
Montreal storyteller, Judith Poirier's art is all about the everyday magic of her beloved city. In this podcast, she explains how music, languages, and the life within Montreal's unique architecture ignite her imagination. Produced and edited for Storytellers of Canada–Conteurs du Canada.
Come Quickly, I Have a Story to Tell!
Born and raised in Edo, one of Nigeria's most ancient and artistic places, Comfort Ero explains how she uses stories to teach and empower. Produced and edited for Storytellers of Canada–Conteurs du Canada.
The Wealth of Elders
Indigenous storyteller, Louise Profeit LeBlanc explores the power of Indigenous orature, and why we need stories to survive. Produced for Storytellers of Canada.
What are You Longing For?
When Jan Andrews died in September 2017, storytelling lost an enormous talent and champion. In this short documentary, producer Marion Gruner visits Jan's partner, storyteller Jennifer Cayley, to explore Jan's life and work through the folktales she loved, and to find out why she was able to touch her audiences so deeply.
Print & Digital Writing
"A Royal Ride: The Clydesdale is a Working Horse with High Class Connections"
CBC Docs
ABOUT
I have been working as a documentary producer, director, writer and researcher since 2002. I began my career at a small but mighty global education centre, filming documentaries that tackled global issues not normally covered in the classroom, and spent several years travelling to communities around the world covering stories on Big Tobacco, fair trade, food security, and affordable housing.
Since then, I have written, produced, and directed dozens of projects including Pharma Sutra for CTV’s W5, The Autism Enigma for CBC's The Nature of Things, Against All Odds for SportsNet, Green Road for the Olympic Channel, the award-winning Clydesdale: Saving the Greatest Horse, for CBC Documentary, and many more.
I currently work with Lower Street Media creating award-winning podcasts, including the Webby-honoured show Crafted, and the W3 and Signal Award-winning show Nickel & Crime. I also create and consult for communities, corporations, universities and arts organizations helping them tell their important stories in a variety of formats. I hold a Masters degree in Experimental Digital Media and Communication Design from the University of Waterloo.
TESTIMONIALS
“Marion understands storytelling in a way that only comes with experience, and is highly reliable. When I have a difficult task I turn to Marion. What she doesn't know she discovers. What she doesn't understand she learns. What she needs to create a successful story she finds".
— Dugald Maudsley, Creative Director, Infield Fly Productions
“The documentary would never have gotten off the ground without the incredibly thorough and impeccable research and organizational skills of Marion Gruner".
— P.J. Naworynski, Director, Against All Odds: The RCAF Flyers
"With technical skill and artistic brilliance, Marion Gruner weaves together stories that reach all of the senses and show us the salience and grace in every story. She is a pleasure to work with --from conceptualizing a project to the final edit. I always trust Marion in the creative process".
— Tracy Tidgwell, Producer and Project Manager,
Re•Vision: The Centre for Art and Social Justice
