Scranton natives Jeremy Saltry and Joey Dominick are looking to take a bite out of Hollywood – and all it will take is a little slice of home.

Saltry and Dominick are the creators and braintrust behind the upcoming documentary “Tray – A Cut of Culture.” “Tray,” a documentary focusing on the link between pizza and culture in Northeastern Pennsylvania, was born from two college kids who were homesick for the familiar tastes of NEPA.

Saltry and Dominick said they are excited about their impending film and their hopes for the production. The team held a fundraiser last month which was well received from NEPA residents and pizza enthusiasts.

“The idea for the movie came to be when we were roommates while I was a film student at Temple University in Philadelphia,” Dominick said. “I was taking a documentary class and I came home one day, trying to think of a topic I could make a film on. Jeremy looked at me and just said ‘pizza’ and it was like we were immediately in sync about exactly what that would be.”

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“We both knew that when I said ‘pizza’ it was about our pizza — NEPA pizza,” Saltry said. “Pizza around here is more than just a food, it’s a community and culture thing.”

That initial idea was born two years ago, and even as Saltry relocated to Portland, Oregon, and time went by, the two still agreed that “Tray” had to happen.

“Even though Jeremy moved, we still stayed in contact all the time,” Dominick said. “We would constantly talk about how we needed to create this movie and what it would entail.”

Well, the time is now, and “Tray” is getting ready to get underway.

The team began filming “Tray” this month.

“We wanted to focus on the fact that we’re currently in the heart of Lent,” Saltry said. “Lent and pizza have a really special connection and a unique perspective. This is a predominantly Catholic area so we were compelled to share that connection with others not familiar with the custom.”

One of the major questions the duo is asked is which pizza places they’ll decide to feature in the movie?

“Well, if we focused on every single shop in the area, we would have to make at least a 15-hour movie,” Dominick said. “We all know there’s about three million shops around here alone.”

“What we’re trying to do is showcase and identify fourth and fifth generation shops, ones that are key players in the region and otherwise historical,” Saltry said. “We’re also spanning the entire Valley, but Old Forge is more or less the heart of the story we’re trying to tell.”

This picture is used in Jeremy Saltry and Joey Dominick’s documentary ‘Tray.’ The movie, which began filming on March 1, is about pizza in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_tray.jpg.optimal.jpgThis picture is used in Jeremy Saltry and Joey Dominick’s documentary ‘Tray.’ The movie, which began filming on March 1, is about pizza in Northeastern Pennsylvania. facebook.com/TrayDocumentary

From left, Jeremy Saltry, Joey Dominick and producer Lindsay Barrasse. The three are working together on ‘Tray,’ a documentary about pizza in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Filming began March 1.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_traycrew.jpg.optimal.jpgFrom left, Jeremy Saltry, Joey Dominick and producer Lindsay Barrasse. The three are working together on ‘Tray,’ a documentary about pizza in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Filming began March 1. facebook.com/TrayDocumentary

Lindsay Barrasse of Scranton will produce ‘Tray’ a documentary about pizza in Northeastern Pennsylvania, written by Jeremy Saltry and Joey Dominick.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_trayproducer.jpg.optimal.jpgLindsay Barrasse of Scranton will produce ‘Tray’ a documentary about pizza in Northeastern Pennsylvania, written by Jeremy Saltry and Joey Dominick. facebook.com/TrayDocumentary
Scranton natives now filming documentary about NEPA pizza

By Rachel Holly

For Sunday Dispatch

Have a favorite pizza place?

Jeremy Saltry and Joey Dominick want to know.

They’re inviting readers to drop them a message on their Facebook page, facebook.com/TrayDocumentary, telling them your favorite pizza stops in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-655-1418 or by email at sd@s24530.p831.sites.pressdns.com.