For a few days this past week, there was snow in the Plaza del Rio Park in downtown Riverbank, a broken-down manger scene … and a little bit of movie magic.
A production company came to town, with cast and crew members, shooting scenes for “The Ornament” Christmas movie that is expected to have a holiday season 2026 release.
Among those on set was local resident Robin Bjerke, serving as production manager.
“We’re just making Riverbank a winter wonderland,” Bjerke explained, noting that the holiday love story begins with the effort to rebuild the city’s Christmas nativity scene in the town square after it was damaged by a storm.
Leads in the film are Tom Maden and Hannah Brantley and the writer/director for The Ornament is Arvin N. Berner.
Eric Raingruber of Sprocketless Entertainment out of Modesto was also on set.
“This is our third Christmas film that we’re doing with Nicely Entertainment and they sell to all the networks, but primarily GAC and Hallmark,” he said, adding that the movie is being classified as a “Christmas romance.”
After a brief production break, Raingruber said they will be back to film additional scenes throughout the area.
“We found the location, we were really excited … it was perfect for what we were doing,” Raingruber said of the large existing Christmas tree in the plaza, which played right into the lighting scene. “Also the City (of Riverbank) is so welcoming and they’ve just greeted us with open arms, been very supportive of us.”
For lead actress Brantley, who flew in from Memphis to do the Riverbank scenes, it almost felt like coming home.
“I love it; I love the community, I love the feeling of just being here and it’s great to be back,” she said.
Brantley and Maden worked together previously, in a movie that filmed several scenes in Escalon last year.
She also said the lighthearted romance movies are rewarding to work in.
“It’s incredible, that’s what draws me to this genre so much is that anyone can watch them, they’re ‘feel good’ – especially Christmas movies,” Brantley explained. “You’re with your family and your loved ones, you’re gathering around with a cup of hot chocolate and watching something that makes you smile … it’s beautiful, I love it.”
Maden added that there is a lot to enjoy about working on a holiday film.
“I really love just a good set, the amount of people that are here, it really is a spontaneous community so it is really enjoyable just to see everybody again and for all of us to work on something that makes us happy,” he said.
The culmination of the filming was done on Friday evening, Jan. 16, with residents from throughout the area answering a ‘casting call’ to show up and serve as extras for the tree lighting scene, showing up in their holiday sweaters, cold weather coats, hats and scarves.
