CITY FOCUS:Packaging Laguna laughs

A new independent film shot in Laguna Beach by a city native is set to premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival April 25.

“Boxboarders” is a comedy/mock documentary written and directed by local director Rob Hedden and is shot at numerous locales across Laguna Beach. The movie tells the story of a couple of underdog surfer teenagers who create a new sport, known as boxboarding.

In the film, boxboarding entails racing refrigerator boxes which have been modified into speedy hill bombers by adding wheels. Hedden said he shot nearly every hill in the city.

Hedden said he was inspired to do the movie when, arriving at his Temple Hills home, he saw a refrigerator box flying down the hill. When the box inevitably crashed, his son and a friend stumbled out.

“It was probably one of the stupidest, funniest things I’d seen in a long time,” Hedden said.

According to Hedden, the movie aims at making a broad age group laugh. He said it walks the line between PG and PG-13, but still has plenty of laughs for adults.

“It’s hard to find things that make everyone laugh,” Hedden said.

Hedden said although the film never specifically mentions its location in Laguna Beach, it’s obvious where it was shot. The movie features local businesses and locations that are easily recognizable in the city.

“This movie is a post card for Laguna Beach,” Hedden said.

He said he was thankful for how cooperative the city was in allowing him to film. It allowed him to shut down streets to film and allowed him all the necessary permits.

Hedden had always dreamed of making a film in Laguna Beach, and he said it’s in sense a love letter to the town.

Hedden grew up in Laguna Beach and later moved to Los Angeles to pursue his film career. But he said after being established a bit, Laguna called him back.

“I love movies, and I love making movies, but that whole Hollywood thing — the parties, the posing — it’s not me,” Hedden said. “I’d rather spend time with my family or surfing.”

Hedden comes from a background of writing, directing and producing work for TV and the silver screen. He has written episodes of “MacGyver,” as well as made-for-TV-movies such as “The Colony.”

Hedden wrote and produced the Nickelodeon movie “Clockstoppers,” and his latest written film, “The Condemned,” which stars Stone Cold Steve Austin, premieres April 27.

Hedden said he took an odd path into making an independent movie. He said usually filmmakers start out as independent writers and directors and eventually move into mainstream work. Hedden went backward.

He said because he was mainstream first, he has many friends and contacts who were willing to help him, making the low budget movie seem far more professional.

“It looks like it cost 10 times more than it did,” Hedden said.

Hedden is excited to see his work premiere at an event as close by as in Newport Beach.

“I’m thrilled that it’s starting out here. It’s coming full circle,” Hedden said. “If it wasn’t for the city the film wouldn’t have happened.”

“Boxboarders” is set to premiere April 27 at the Edwards Island 7, 999 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach.

Tickets are $10.