Detroit’s Greatest Export: Creativity
Role: Director / Producer / Cinematographer
Client: Bedrock Detroit
Brief
Detroit’s Greatest Export: Creativity is a short documentary‑style film series that celebrates the city of Detroit not for its industrial past but for the cultural and creative energy its people contribute to the world. Instead of focusing on decline and rebirth narratives, the film highlights Detroit’s living culture — the artistic, inventive, and human forces that continue to shape its identity.
Context & Objective
Rather than producing a traditional tourism or historical piece, this project reframes the story of Detroit through the lens of creativity as export, positioning the city’s artistic contributions as as influential as its industrial output. The films underscore how Detroit’s creative communities — in music, visual art, performance, and everyday expression — are part of what the city “sends out” into the broader cultural world. This approach adds depth and nuance to common narratives about the city, shifting focus from economic metrics to human impact.
Execution
Concept & Direction: Developed the core idea and narrative structure centered on a redefined notion of “export.”
Cinematography: Shot immersive visuals that reflect both everyday life and artistic expression.
Production Leadership: Led the full creative process from concept through execution, shaping the aesthetic and thematic direction.
Outcome
The films function as both a standalone story and a proof of concept: it translates abstract ideas like creativity and cultural influence into a visual language that resonates emotionally and intellectually. These pieces can serve creative teams and brands that value storytelling deeply rooted in place and community.