Beyond Dunder Mifflin: The Electric City Documentary

Beyond Dunder Mifflin

Local filmmaker Brandon Soto, along with a crew of Erieites, set out to be actual documentarians of the mockumentary The Office, as they delve into the effect the show has had upon the Pennsylvania town of Scranton.

The Office was one of the biggest hit shows of the 21st century and arguably the most popular "water cooler" comedy since Seinfeld, popularizing the NSFW phrase, "That's what she said" and a slew of ever-popular memes like the ones featuring character Pam Beesly that states, "They're the same picture." Now 20 years since its debut in 2005, The Office is still a highly-streamed show and has turned the coal-mining town of Scranton, Pennsylvania into a mecca for fans.

Local filmmaker Brandon Soto, along with his crew from Erie, decided to create a fan-made documentary titled Beyond Dunder Mifflin: The Electric City Documentary all about The Office and the impact that it's had on Scranton, the city where the show is set. In the program, Scranton is mentioned frequently and the city is so interconnected to the storyline of the show that it's almost a character itself. Soto got the idea while listening to a podcast hosted by the character of Kevin called Off the Beat with Brian Baumgartner, where he talked about the relationship between the city and the show. Soto said, "It took us a little over a year to put this all together, from shooting interviews and traveling, to editing everything. We wanted the documentary to come out in March 2025 because that marks the official 20-year anniversary of the pilot episode."

During the documentary, viewers will learn the role that the city played in developing the look of the show, and with the help of Scranton's Chamber of Commerce, curated props were provided for each season. As the popularity of the show continued, the city rallied with the success and created an Office Convention that features cast members and guided tours of the many places mentioned within the show. Soto said that they didn't receive payment to make the documentary and that it was more about the love of the show, stating, "In the beginning, we had to convince people that we weren't just fans of the show, we were actually putting something real together. It wasn't just about The Office, but about the city itself." He continues, "The Everhart Museum in Scranton is currently putting together a 20th anniversary exhibit and are planning to use some of our film within the exhibit." Along with the Mayor of Scranton and several key figures in their community, several Office cast members make an appearance in the doc, including Andy Buckley (David Wallace), Angela Kinsey (Angela), and Kate Flannery (Meredith).

With the boost in tourism and the national spotlight The Office has given Scranton, many hope that something like this could give Erie a similar boost, being there are similarities between the two cities (both in size, population, and their overall short distances from other major-metropolitan areas). "You never know, someone might want to create a show based in Erie someday. Small cities can boost tourism by embracing what makes them unique: local history, culture, events, and community pride. By highlighting their distinctive character through festivals, art, food, and storytelling, they create memorable experiences that draw visitors in," says Soto.

Beyond Dunder Mifflin: The Electric City Documentary is streaming now on YouTube for free, with over 2,000 views and counting. However, the filmmaker and crew are hopeful that it will make its way to the streaming service Peacock, which is the home of The Office, so that more fans of the show get a chance to learn about Scranton and perhaps take a trip to the once "coal town, now cool town," as it's referred to in the documentary.

For more information on the documentary, visit theelectriccitydoc.com

"You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take." – Wayne Gretzky – Michael Scott – Larry Wheaton (who can be reached at wheaton1138@gmail.com)