The Local Boy: How Scott Dodoro Is Building Something Bigger in Detroit

By the time most of us figure out what we’re good at, Scott Dodoro has already built a company around it.

The founder, executive producer and director of Local Boy – a full-service production company based in Royal Oak, Michigan – isn’t just another name in the credits. He’s the guy who used to organise the neighborhood baseball games, now applying the same instincts for leadership, logistics, and human connection to creative production. “It’s funny, I remember being the one in school who would organise the neighbourhood ball game. Arranging for one person to bring their hockey nets and another to bring their brother so we had enough people to play,” he tells me, “I have always been the organiser.”

That self-awareness has shaped Local Boy’s DNA. Built from the ground up with Scott’s Detroit roots and producer brain, the company has quietly become a go-to production partner for brands like Ford, GM, and Uber. But behind the slick car spots and bold visuals is a simpler story: a guy who just wants to make things better — for clients, crews, and the city he calls home.

“I guess I just felt like I could do it better,” Scott says, unapologetically. “Better work, better relationships, and be kinder doing it.”

It’s not a boast, so much as a mission statement. Local Boy was founded on the belief that production doesn’t have to be painful. That creative vision and operational savvy can – and should – co-exist. And that respect for people, especially the crews who make the magic happen, goes a long way.

The Long Road Home

Detroit didn’t land on Scott Dodoro. Scott Dodoro landed on Detroit.

“I was born and raised here,” he says. “I’m not giving up on Detroit – I’m here to stay.” And this investment in the market shows. Automotive work is a natural extension of the local economy, but it’s more than just proximity. It’s perspective. “We know how these cars are made, the best angles to show them off, and how to highlight the new tech. It’s just in our DNA.”

But even with that kind of advantage, Local Boy isn’t a one-trick pony. The company has built a reputation for transforming briefs that might initially feel underwhelming on paper into smart, stylised stories that resonate. Whether that’s driving 20 vehicles hands-free across a bridge for a PR stunt or turning a small piece of social content into a national TV spot, Scott thrives on the ‘How the hell are we going to do this?’ moment and challenge.

“If the job’s too easy, it’s hard to get excited about it,” he admits. “But when there are logistical or creative challenges – when the solution isn’t obvious – that’s when we shine. That’s when it feels like we’re doing what we were meant to do.”

Producer and Problem Solver

Scott gravitating towards producing feels more like destiny than a casual detour. Early dreams of blending advertising and production took shape at Michigan State, then sharpened with a relationship with those at BBDO Detroit. But it wasn’t until he started fielding calls, building crews, and troubleshooting challenges that he realised where his true value lay: not behind the camera, but in front of the whiteboard.

That mindset permeates every frame Local Boy produces. As a leader, Scott is in the weeds and on the ground — providing creative solutions, solving budget puzzles, mentoring junior crew. He’s not chasing awards or trends. He’s chasing better.

“I love being part of a team that makes something great,” he says. “When clients and agencies come back saying, ‘You took this way further than we imagined,’ that means everything.”

Ask Scott what he’s most passionate about, and you won’t hear much about his accomplishments. You’ll hear about the crew. The freelancers. The camera team. Wardrobe and art department. The unsung heroes who grind it out job to job, and in many cities around the US.

“This industry should not be an exclusive club,” he says firmly. “For the most part, you don’t need a college degree to do what we do and I’ll always advocate for making this industry more accessible.”

He sees Local Boy not just as a business, but as a platform that lifts people up, offers a shot, and delivers the kind of work that keeps clients coming back.

The Work That Speaks Louder

Some of Scott’s favourite work wasn’t built to go viral. Local Boy’s recent work on the ‘First Responders’ spot — a heartfelt split-screen story about everyday heroes — had low expectations at the start but became a deeply emotional success. “We didn’t just cast actors,” he says. “We found a real firefighter, real EMT, real police officer to play the parts... We were literally knocking on doors.”

Then there’s the Sierra EV ‘Winter Crabwalk’ which began as a piece of small social content before turning into a full TV commercial. “That’s what I mean about raising the bar,” he says. “It’s about taking something simple and making it unforgettable. We can run with any brief, any director, any production company — we belong in that conversation.”

Scott doesn’t like to predict what’s around the corner, but he knows this: growth isn’t always about scale. It’s about momentum. Curiosity. Trust.

“What really opens the next door is the client who gives you a shot,” he explains. “You don’t always see it coming. But when it happens, you figure it out. And that’s the exciting part.”

Nine years in, Local Boy is busy building a foundation. A way of working that prizes thoughtfulness over ego, collaboration over credit, and solutions over shortcuts. It’s not just production. It’s personal. And for Scott Dodoro, that makes all the difference.