By Cailin Acosta in San Diego
Concert Heroes is an indie comedy film directed by Joseph A. Nunez and written by Steven Mark and Robert Weinberger. Filmed entirely in San Diego, the yet-to-be-released movie follows a jaded bar-band videographer who lands the chance to film the farewell tour of his favorite rock band.
The story blends backstage chaos, eccentric superfans, and a backstabbing rival, with the twist that the “real rock stars” are often the fans standing in front of the stage.
The Comic-Con panel consisted of Chris Kattan (Saturday Night Live, A Night at the Roxbury), E.G. Daily (Pee-wee’s Big Adventure), Robert Romanus (Fast Times at Ridgemont High), Eddie McClintock (Warehouse 13), Carolyn Hennesy (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker), Chad Wolf (Carolina Liar), and Ryan Ochoa (Pair of Kings), along with writer and producer Steven Mark (The Samuel Project), director Joseph A. Nunez, and members of the pop-rock band Carolina Liar.
Together, they shared a behind-the-scenes look at bringing the indie feature to life and discussed how the film celebrates the passion, chaos, and community of live music culture.
Moderated by San Diego actor and filmmaker Mark Atkinson (Selena: The Series), the panel included stories from the set, insights into the filmmaking process, exclusive clips, and the world-premiere trailer.
The audience was treated to the debut of the Concert Heroes trailer. As a San Diego native, I immediately recognized many of the local landmarks and filming locations featured throughout the preview.
Following the trailer, the panel discussed how they combined the many stereotypes and personalities found at concerts into memorable characters. They encouraged the audience to think about what kind of concertgoer they are: the diehard fan who attends every show; the person selling unofficial concert T-shirts outside the venue; or the attendee who stands throughout the performance and blocks everyone else’s view.
The decision to film the movie entirely in San Diego was intentional. The filmmakers wanted to showcase the city as an outstanding place for filmmaking while highlighting its unique character. The crowd erupted in cheers in approval.
Kattan said he immediately saw similarities between Concert Heroes and the classic mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap. He loved the script, the writing, and the comedic premise, making it an easy decision to sign on. The playful banter among the cast throughout the panel was one of its highlights, with the actors constantly joking with one another, demonstrating the camaraderie they developed while making the film.
Daily, who is Jewish, said she also fell in love with the script. Slipping into the familiar voice of Dottie from Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, she explained that she is a musician and that music has always been her first love, making Concert Heroes a project that immediately resonated with her. She joked that if someone doesn’t like music, then this simply isn’t the movie for them.
McClintock humorously introduced himself by saying he was “famous for being canceled from many television shows.” He recalled being starstruck when he received the script because he couldn’t believe he was being asked to work alongside actors he had admired for years. He knew immediately that the production would be a tremendous amount of fun.
There was much talk about the San Diego Sports Arena, with the film affectionately paying tribute to the era when legendary bands regularly performed there throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Mark joked that he didn’t care what the venue is called today (Pechanga Arena)—it will always be the San Diego Sports Arena. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause and cheers, clearly sharing his sentiment.
In closing, Concert Heroes should appeal to anyone who enjoys a good laugh, live music, and all things San Diego. To borrow a famous line from Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) in Anchorman: “Stay classy, San Diego.”
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World. Sandi Masori, a freelance theater and food reviewer for SDJW, served as associate producer of this movie comedy.