For many, when they think about Detroit, they think about a city of industrial glory turned full scale hardship and urban blight. From a once dominant city in automotive production to an extensive economic collapse that ultimately resulted in Detroit filing for bankruptcy in 2013 (the largest municipal bankruptcy filing in U.S. history by debt, which was estimated at almost $20 billion).

blighted house corktown detroit — *A photo I took on one of my first trips to Detroit of a blighted house in Corktown, the oldest neighborhood in the city.*

But for me, the story of Detroit is far more profound. It's a tale of resilience, renewal, and authentic human connection. I have filmed in countless locations across all 50 states and in over 40 countries, but Detroit is far and above my favorite place to film domestically (and second only to Africa on my all-time list). To me, Detroit isn't just a backdrop, it’s a character in the stories we tell: complex, evolving, and above all, real. Like the main character in any great comeback story, Detroit has refused to be defined by its hard times. The city's journey from prosperity to collapse and now revival reflects the very essence of the kind of storytelling our team at Two Doors Down Productions seeks: narratives steeped in humanity's challenges and ultimate triumphs.

My Time in “The Motor City”

I have returned to Detroit 31 times since my first visit in 2013, and it’s much more than just a filming location to me. It’s a place where stories come alive because of the connections I’ve forged with its people. In one of my early visits to the city, I met Carla Walker-Miller, owner of Walker-Miller Energy Services. Over the years, Carla has gone from being a subject of our videos to becoming a personal friend of mine. It’s been amazing to see her business grow the way that it has.

carla walker-miller — *Carla Walker-Miller and I during one of my visits to Detroit.*

Authentic Storytelling Built on Trust

At the heart of Two Doors Down Productions’ work in Detroit is authenticity. I remember the moment I met Detroit-based cinematographer Stephen McGee in a coffee shop on my second trip to the city back in 2013. At a time when the narratives surrounding the city were overwhelmingly negative, we bonded over a shared desire to highlight the positive stories happening in Detroit. From that moment, Stephen became a trusted collaborator and friend, someone who shares my vision of showcasing the untold stories of Detroit’s rebirth. I've forever said that there's always a story behind the story, and Detroit is no exception. The city is filled with incredible tales waiting to be discovered around every corner.

stephen mcgee family — *Remember that blighted house from the first photo? It has since been renovated and my good friend and cinematographer Stephen McGee and his family now live there!*

For TDD, authenticity is what elevates our work. Relationships are built organically, often starting long before the cameras start rolling. It’s about developing trust and ensuring the subjects feel comfortable enough to share their authentic selves when they step in front of the camera. This approach not only results in more genuine storytelling, but it also fosters lasting relationships. It’s these relationships that make the stories truly come alive.

The Juxtaposition of Blight and Renewal

Detroit is such a compelling canvas for storytelling due in large part to its stark juxtapositions. The nearly 80,000 abandoned industrial sites, boarded-up houses, and crumbling schools stand in contrast to the new businesses, revitalized neighborhoods, and passionate entrepreneurs working tirelessly to restore the city to its former glory.

On a shoot during my second trip to the city, we were filming in an abandoned elementary school before much of the blighted properties were demolished. As we captured the broken windows and collapsing walls, I noticed the downtown skyline in the distance, and it was such a powerful symbol of both the city’s decline and its potential future.

In that same classroom I also stumbled upon a 1987 Detroit Free Press newspaper. There was a front-page story featuring David Turnley, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer who served as Nelson Mandela’s personal photographer. This find was made even more incredible by the fact that I was due to have dinner and meet David for the first time that same night. I looked at this serendipitous discovery as a striking metaphor for Detroit's journey. Like the city itself, the article had been left behind, waiting to be rediscovered, representing both what was lost and the hope for a renaissance.

Relationships Rooted in Storytelling

TDD has built a network of amazing collaborators throughout Detroit, from filmmakers to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Some of the chance meetings during my initial trips have grown into deep friendships, with Stephen McGee becoming a key creative partner in our work in Detroit. This network of relationships is a testament to our philosophy that authentic storytelling requires more than just a great camera shot or a compelling narrative. It requires time, trust, and a deep commitment to understanding the people behind the stories.

I cannot emphasize enough that these connections are not fleeting. Two Doors Down Productions doesn’t simply come into a city, tell a story, and leave. Instead, we immerse ourselves in the community, sometimes spending months or years nurturing relationships before a project even begins. In Detroit, we’ve worked with amazing companies, institutions, and startups, including:

Walker-Miller Energy • Mayor Duggan • Wayne State University • Lime • ERB Foundation • Newlab • Michigan Central Station • ON Running • Pluck.eco • Wheel.me • Wonderschool • McClure’s Pickles • Livaq • JustAir • Black Tech Saturdays • Eastern Market • Sonder • Fermata Energy • Tubular Network • Airspace Link • Mythos AI • Electreon • Union Heritage • Belle Isle Conservancy • The Carr Center

The Next Chapter of Detroit’s Renaissance

I have chronicled Detroit’s revival for over a decade now, and my love for the city is clear in every frame we capture, every relationship we build, and every story we tell. My love for the city also stretches far beyond my profession. On a personal level, I have run the Detroit Free Press Marathon and I have and will continue to take family vacations to the city. I look forward to continuing to document Detroit’s journey and playing a small role in changing its perception.

The grit, passion, and spirit of Detroit closely mirrors our values at Two Doors Down Productions: authenticity and the power of human connection. In the years to come, I look forward to continuing to document its evolution. Through our lens, Detroit’s story of reinvention is shared with the masses, and it’s a story that is both personal and universal.

It’s a city of complex layers, a place that has defied the odds, and a source of endless inspiration. Authentic storytelling is about more than just filming a moment. It’s about capturing the essence of a place, building relationships, and telling a story that reflects the past, the present, and the future. That’s why I believe that Detroit–in all its raw beauty and indomitable spirit–is the perfect canvas. To me, this isn’t a comeback story for Detroit, because it never left!

Thank you Detroit for making me a better storyteller. Thank you for allowing me to capture your beauty, your story, and most importantly, thank you for ALL of the relationships you helped me build. I can’t wait to be back!