SCRANTON, Pa. — A series documentary dedicated to the hit show "The Office" had its soft premiere in Scranton on Friday.
"COVID hit, which kind of put a big break on the project, and we wanted to see it to completion, and we thought what better place than Scranton," said Shawn Cauthen, Director of "Fan Level Midnight: Devoted to the office."
The premiere of Director Shawn Cauthen and Producer John Matthews's multi-part series titled "Fan Level Midnight: Devoted to The Office" had its first screening at Art Haus Cinema in downtown Scranton Friday night.
The documentary, which kicked off The Office-themed weekend in the city, looked to uncover how the popular television show got such a grasp on pop culture and how it helped put Scranton back on the map.
"We went and took a tour of the steam yard over there and saw, before The Office, that's what Scranton was about, and it's still about that, but now it's also about The Office too," said John Matthews, Producer "Fan Level Midnight: Devoted to the Office."
"My mom introduced me to The Office a couple of years ago. I've watched it five times in a row now," added Hart Hopson of New York City.
Ten-year-old Hart Hopson of New York City was at Cooper Seafood House with his mom and dozens of other fans registering for Saturday's 5K race, which is focused on The Office.
"We have people coming from 42 states. Four different countries. It's going to be an office-related event that's in downtown Scranton. It's exercise, it's community building, and it's fun," said Gus Fahey, President of Valley In Motion.
"I think seeing the mural really made it like, oh gosh, we are here. This is real," said Erica Miles from Kansas City.
Erica Miles and her daughter Samantha Story are just two of the 1,500 people expected to travel to the city for all The Office-based events. A trip the two say they would have never taken if not for the connection to their favorite show.
"It's huge on Netflix and TV, and it brings awareness to Scranton," said Samantha Story from Kansas City.
"Getting to come here and see all the places it's fun a destination," added Miles.
Friday night was a soft opening for "The Office" based documentary. The director says if enough people came out to see the first few episodes then a second showing could happen Saturday night.