Tapawingo, a quirky coming-of-age comedy written and directed by Dylan K. Narang and Brad DeMarea, is scheduled to be released on July 31, 2025. The movie follows the strange journey of Nate Skoog, a 30-year-old loner who forms an oddball security team to help Oswalt, a bullied teen. Starring Jon Heder, Billy Zane, Sawyer Williams, Gina Gershon, Amanda Bearse, Kim Matula, and Chris Gethard, the movie blends heartfelt themes with oddball humor—all against the backdrop of small-town Virginia.
Where Was Tapawingo (2025) Filmed? All Filming Locations Explored
The majority of Tapawingo was filmed from June to September 2021, across several picturesque locations in Central Virginia, including Hopewell, Petersburg, and Richmond. Dylan Narang, the director, stressed how important it was to find a place that didn’t feel like Los Angeles. He said that Central Virginia was the “perfect spot” and praised its charm, support, and honesty, all of which helped the movie capture the right small-town feel.
1. Hopewell, Virginia
Main filming hub
The main place where Tapawingo was filmed was Hopewell. Filming began here in June 2021. The town’s friendly people and quiet streets made it a great setting for the story’s strange suburban scene. The 3200 block of W. Broadway was the site of one of the main residential shoots. People in the area were excited to see Hollywood in their area.
Brian Stidham’s house was used for exterior scenes, and locals like Seth Dye even shared social media posts about watching the cast and crew film just a few doors down. According to director Narang, the hospitality from Hopewell’s residents and officials was unmatched.
“We could not have picked a better place,” Narang shared in an interview. “The people here made every part of filming smoother. It’s a place that has heart—and that’s exactly what our movie needed.”
Hopewell Public Library
Another key filming site in the city was the Hopewell Library, part of the Appomattox Regional Library System. The production team used both the inside and outside of the building while the library was still-open to the public (see below).
In Virginia, public buildings are showing up in more and more independent and mid-budget films. The library’s involvement is part of a growing trend.
Hopewell is used to being in Hollywood films. Loving, Homeland Season 7, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Dopesick and Swagger are some other well-known shows that have been filmed here.
Hopewell High School Featured as Nickerson High
One of the recognizable filming locations in Tapawingo is Hopewell High School, which doubled as Nickerson High in the movie. Known locally as the home of the Blue Devils, the school served as a key backdrop for scenes involving Oswalt’s bullying and Nate’s unexpected mission to protect him. This location helped bring authenticity to the story’s school-life setting, and local students and staff were thrilled to see their campus featured in a major production.
2. Petersburg, Virginia
Small-town charm and cinematic streets
Located just a short drive from Hopewell, Petersburg was another major location for Tapawingo. While specific addresses were not disclosed, the city’s historic downtown area and quiet residential streets were reportedly used for multiple scenes.
Petersburg has become a hotbed for film production in recent years thanks to its preserved architecture and adaptable locations. The film crew was seen moving between sites in early summer 2021, taking advantage of the city’s rich visual backdrop to enhance the movie’s small-town aesthetic.
3. Richmond, Virginia
Scott’s Addition neighborhood featured
Richmond, the capital of Virginia, hosted part of the filming, especially in the trendy Scott’s Addition neighborhood. On one filming day, cast and crew were spotted on Broad Street, not far from the CBS 6 studios. This area, known for its mix of industrial charm and urban redevelopment, brought a modern edge to some of the movie’s sequences.
The contrast between Richmond’s urban locations and the more suburban feel of Hopewell and Petersburg helped give Tapawingo a varied visual palette. The diversity of backdrops—from public libraries to classic Virginia homes—allowed the film to create an authentic and relatable atmosphere.
Why Virginia?
Director Dylan Narang revealed that the film was initially planned to be shot in Los Angeles, but the pandemic forced a shift in plans. Rather than trying to mimic a small-town feel in California, the production team decided to embrace the real thing in Virginia.
“It was never supposed to be a glossy, L.A. comedy,” Narang explained. “Virginia gave us what we needed—real homes, real people, and a community that cared about the project.”
Sawyer Williams: A Local Star on Local Soil
Another strong connection to the location came through Sawyer Williams, a 13-year-old actor from Goochland, Virginia, who plays Oswalt in the film. Williams, who auditioned via Zoom, said he felt a deep connection with his character—a teen labeled a misfit who is simply trying to be himself.
Filming close to home made the experience even more personal for Williams, giving him a rare opportunity to star in a movie shot right in his own backyard.
Final Wrap in September 2021
Filming concluded in September 2021, with the final scenes reportedly shot in and around Hopewell. By then, the community had become closely involved with the project. Residents, business owners, and local organizations had supported the team, allowing Tapawingo to stay on schedule despite the challenges of filming during a pandemic.
Official Trailer
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