Pine Street Elementary principal Dennis Regnier stands alongside members of the cast Ed Helms and Rhiannon Giddens during filming for An Ode to Mary Jo, which brought a full feature-film production to his campus November 3–4. The project offered staff a behind-the-scenes look at the movie industry while shining a spotlight on Spartanburg and District 7 on a national stage.
Last fall, a quiet stretch of Boyd Street outside Pine Street Elementary suddenly transformed into something straight out of Hollywood.
Production trucks rolled in. Crew members moved lighting rigs and cameras across campus. And yes — rumors began swirling online that actor Ed Helms had been spotted on school grounds.
District 7 families started buzzing on Facebook.
But we had to keep a secret.
In November, Pine Street Elementary became the filming location for scenes in An Ode to Mary Jo, an upcoming independent feature film starring Ed Helms (The Office, The Hangover), Rhiannon Giddens and Jason Isbell — three acclaimed performers whose careers span film, television and Grammy-winning music.
It marked the first time a feature-length film had ever been shot inside a District 7 school. While Spartanburg High School once served as the backdrop for BMW’s iconic 2011 Super Bowl commercial promoting the locally-built X3, this production brought an entirely new level of scale — and excitement — to our community.
And now, at last, we can finally talk about it.
A Story Rooted in the Working Class
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Justin Liberman, An Ode to Mary Jo follows a single mother navigating the most pivotal day of her life — juggling birthday plans for her nine-year-old daughter, growing tension with her teenage son, and the mystery of a missing ex-husband while searching for a better future.
Liberman says Spartanburg proved to be the perfect backdrop.
“We were looking for a real-life Anytown, USA feel,” he explained. “Something that felt authentic — a town with history, a strong working-class identity and people who really care about where they live.”
Originally written for New York’s Hudson Valley, the script shifted south after producers scouted locations across South Carolina and fell in love with the Upstate.
Their search led them to Spartanburg — and eventually, to Pine Street Elementary, with its striking architecture and authentic school setting. Spartanburg offered exactly what the filmmakers were seeking: a community with history, character and heart — and a campus whose beautiful design helped bring the story to life on screen.
Behind the scenes in Pine Street Elementary’s front entrance, where film crews transformed a familiar hallway into a movie set during November’s on-campus shoot for An Ode to Mary Jo.
A look inside Principal Dennis Regnier’s office — temporarily reimagined for the film — where careful set design added layers of detail while keeping the space recognizable to those who know Pine Street best.
Filming Comes to Pine Street
Liberman’s team contacted District 7 in early October 2025 to see if Pine Street could serve as the setting for a pivotal scene in which Mary Jo interviews for a job. Principal Dennis Regnier’s office became the filming location, along with outdoor shots along Boyd Street.
Over two full days — November 3 and 4 — a crew of more than 30 people worked across campus, supported by production vans, trucks, and equipment vehicles. Set-up began on the Friday evening before.
And in true District 7 fashion, Pine Street even gained a movie extra.
Principal Regnier himself appears in the film.
A Proud Moment for District 7
District 7 is proud that Pine Street Elementary and our staff could play a small but meaningful role in such a powerful project — one that celebrates resilience, opportunity and the strength of everyday communities.
Hosting a major film production gave students and staff a behind-the-scenes look at an industry many had never experienced firsthand, while also showcasing Spartanburg — and our schools — on a national stage.
It was a true example of what we call 7Shines — when collaboration, creativity and community partnerships come together to create something extraordinary for students and families.
We wish Justin Liberman and the entire cast and crew continued success and can’t wait to see Pine Street Elementary on the big screen.
From classrooms to camera crews — it was a moment we’ll never forget.