made video by  Stephen Merchant (qv) when he was trying to get a job at the BBC.  He came up with the idea for making a documentary style format as it  would be easier for him to film. He and his colleague  Ricky Gervais (qv) came up with _"Office, The" (2001)_ (qv) idea  and used a local University to film it. Upon seeing the short video  the BBC requested that they make a series out of it. Many of the  jokes from this original film are recycled during the Proper Series  for example, David Brents opening speech about making employees  dreams come true.