Hollywood came to Chardon Square Jan. 12-13 in search of snow.
Hollywood came to Chardon Square Jan. 12-13 in search of snow.
RNR Media, a Los Angeles and Georgia-based production company with local ties, filmed a Christmas-themed romance in the city, taking full advantage of the square’s decorations, snow and winter scenery.
Producer Michael Roth, who could not reveal the movie’s title for contractual reasons, confirmed the film will stream in time for Christmas 2026. The story is set in Chardon, a city whose business owners and residents welcomed the production while providing the perfect backdrop.
RNR Media produces TV movies nationwide and has shot nearly 90 films in the holiday-romance genre, Roth said.
Ohio’s tax incentives and Roth’s local connections made the area an ideal location. While his brother, Danny, lives in Los Angeles, Michael resides in Bainbridge.
“When we found out we had the opportunity to make movies back in Cleveland and Ohio as a whole, I knew I wanted to showcase where I grew up, what I knew and just bring my hometown into some of these movies,” Roth said during a break in filming Jan. 13 at Beans Coffee Shop and Bistro.
Solon native Roth works alongside his younger brother, Danny, who directed the project.
This was the fourth RNR Media film shot in the area since December. Two December films included one set at Punderson Manor in Newbury, a location where Roth has golfed and his children have fished over the years.
“According to the script, the movie was set in New York, but the writer was willing to accommodate (our experience) and now the movie officially takes place at Punderson Manor in Newbury, Ohio,” Roth said.
The positive experience in December encouraged Roth and his team to return.
“That’s why we’re in Chardon again,” he said. “We wanted to showcase the square, we wanted to showcase the decorations, as well as the storefronts.”
Local business owners welcomed the production, Roth said, adding Karen Miller, of Vintage Hollow, featured in a previous film and Beans owner Sylvia McGee offered her shop as a base for cast and crew.
“Michael came to me and asked if they could film in front of Beans,” McGee said. “They said, ‘We won’t bother you and it’ll be easy’ and it was easy. They’ve been out front filming most of the day in front of the store. I have loved it and I love all the attention it’s bringing to Chardon.”
Roth teased the plot.
“Basically, a dad dies and leaves his daughter an antique store and in the antique store is a doll house and inside the doll house, there’s a secret, and that’s about all I can say,” he said.
Chardon’s land and buildings supervisor, Mike Butt, helped coordinate the extended display of holiday decorations on the square to enhance filming.
“Normally, we take the decorations down after the new year, as soon as we have a nice day,” Butt said Jan. 16.
Having the square featured in a movie was “a dream come true,” he said.
“It’s very exciting and I can’t wait to see it,” Butt said. “Everyone (who works) at the city and everyone involved is very excited to see the finished project.”
Snow, a necessity for the film, was another key draw for filming in Chardon.
“Some of the other people working on the production suggested we shoot in Medina, but I said, ‘I know where the snow is going to be, I need to be in Chardon,’” Roth said.
The company has filmed winter movies across North America, including Georgia, Florida, Michigan and Canada. RNR Media also produces thrillers, typically shooting two movies on location back-to-back, with 12 to 14 days of filming, Roth said.
He explained the production timeline.
“We get a script and usually we have a two-to-three-week timeframe to fit that script to our location, get the crew, cast everybody and ensure that what’s on paper transfers to something special on screen,” he said.
Local students and recent graduates have been recruited to work on crew positions, gaining experience alongside veteran directors, cinematographers and assistant directors, he said.
“When we initially came to town, I reached out to (film and media programs) at Tri-C and Cleveland State. They were extremely helpful in giving me names of recent graduates and anybody who was looking for experience,” he said. “By word-of-mouth, we filled two full local crews.”
The crews will work with Danny, the directors of photography and first assistant directors to ensure a smooth production that blends established and local talent, Roth said.
“I found out (about the production) through one of my professors and girlfriend,” said Will Squires, a May 2025 graduate of Cleveland State University. “They relayed that a movie was coming to town looking for recent graduates to fill their below-the-line positions. I reached out to the producers and after a couple producer calls, I talked to the director of photography. He was my boss on the project, I was on the grip and electric team.”
Squires said he enjoyed his experience on set.
“It was an absolute blast,” he said. “Everyone was so kind and you could really feel that everyone wanted to be there, no matter how freezing everyone was. There were some cold nights. It was a great experience, everyone moved fast and after only a couple days in, we were already a well-oiled machine.”
Roth stressed the importance of shooting on location.
“We’re not making Academy Award-winning movies, but they’re beautiful and they’re location based,” he said. “We’re not going to film these movies in a studio somewhere, we want to showcase the cities that we’re in.”
Filming in Ohio benefits the local economy, as well, Roth said.
“Ohio wants you to spend Ohio money, so if we’re going to be in Chardon, we’re going to spend money in Chardon,” he said. “If I’m going to rent something, I’ll rent it in Ohio. We want to keep that money in Ohio so people can continue to make movies in Ohio.”
Roth plans to continue using Geauga County and surrounding areas for his winter-set films.
“I have 10 movies that all involve snow that I need to make,” Roth said. “To know that I can be in an area that I am familiar with, I’m comfortable with and give back to my community, all because of snow, that’s a good thing,”
Butt said he looks forward to welcoming RNR Media back in February for two more projects — a Christmas movie and a winter romance.
“We’ve had a great relationship these last few weeks,” he said. “Everyone seems really excited about it and I’ve heard nothing but good things. It does bring a lot of attention to the square, particularly at night when they have the big lights up while they’re filming, everybody wonders what’s going on.”
As soon as Roth receives an air date, he said he will be able to share the name of the movie as well as where it will be streaming.
“I told Mike Butt that we could have a premiere at the firehouse on the Chardon Square,” he said. “So we might try to do that.”
