Beyond Dunder Mifflin: The Electric City Documentary

This fan-made documentary explores the unique and unexpected impact of the popular TV show The Office on the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Moving beyond the fictional world of Dunder Mifflin, the film delves into the real-life connection between The Office and Scranton, uncovering the city’s rich history, vibrant culture, and the myriad ways in which the show has shaped its identity.

Almost 20 years since the pilot aired on March 24, 2005, The Office has transformed Scranton from a “Coal Town to a Cool Town.” Viewers will hear from notable figures such as Tim Holmes, Michele Dempsey, Mari Potis, Mayor Paige Cognetti, and many more. Additionally, some of your favorite characters from the show, including Andy Buckley and Angela Kinsey, will make appearances in the documentary.

Our documentary will be free to the public on March 28 via YouTube and Facebook. There are discussions about airing it on a local TV station in the Scranton area, with hopes of eventually having it available on Peacock. Our story is about 54 mins to an hour long.

Credits:

  • Director, Producer: Brandon Soto
  • Director of Photography and Assistant Director: DeAngelo Dixon
  • Production Assistants: Brian Schnieders, Madison Whitford, and Cody Exley

Made Famous by The Office, Pennsylvania Paper & Supply celebrates its 100th Anniversary

Company’s iconic red brick tower is the opening shot of The Office intro

Every episode of The Office opens with the red brick  tower of Pennsylvania Paper & Supply (PPS), a Scranton institution and family business celebrating its 100th anniversary on Friday, May 20, with a ribbon‐cutting ceremony to symbolize the opening of a new century of serving its customers.

“My grandfather Jacob Fink and my dad Jerry Fink would be proud to see how much their company has grown over the last 100 years and surprised to learn that our building is a landmark known around the world,” said Douglas Fink, Pennsylvania Paper & Supply President. “A young John Krasinski took that opening shot of our tower in 2004 when he was doing research for The Office and for his role as Jim Halpert in the fictional paper company Dunder Mifflin.”

“Almost two decades later, fans from around the world still show up daily looking for the real Dunder Mifflin, but we’re not the colorful oddballs of The Office; we’re a team of 300 professionals steeped in 100 years of history,” he added.

The PPS story began in 1922 when Jacob Fink opened a business selling paper bags to Scranton’s grocers. Built on his core principles of listening to the customers, filling their needs, and doing it better than anyone else, PPS expanded its product line beyond paper to include janitorial and sanitation supplies. It also broadened its territory beyond eastern Pennsylvania into New York and New Jersey and now services everywhere in the country through e‐commerce. Matching the longevity of the company is the loyalty of its clients, some of which have been customers since the firm’s earliest days.

As the company grew it moved several times before opening its Scranton Showroom & Warehouse under the iconic tower almost 55 years ago, a fitting site for its 100th anniversary celebration and ribbon‐cutting.

“Since our founding, Pennsylvania Paper & Supply has strived to uphold our core values set by my grandfather Jacob—to serve our community, employees, and marketplace with excellence. We look forward to building on this legacy as a way forward for the next one hundred years,” said Fink.