Bare-chested and half-wearing a wet suit, a tanned young man jumped around gyrating, punching and kicking the air in a manic dance as mariachi music blared.

It was Khan Chittenden, playing the lead role in the coming comedy "Endless Bummer," currently filming in Ventura.

The independent film's production began last week on Seaward Avenue and will continue in the area until the end of next week.

The film is a coming-of-age comedy that opens with protagonist J.D. anguishing over a stolen surfboard one day in the summer of 1984.

He then takes to the road with a band of friends to confront the thief and recover his prized possession in the San Fernando Valley.

Throughout the movie, every time the misfit friends hear a particular mariachi song, they stop what they're doing and dance.

"I drew down from different things that happened in my life," said the film's writer-producer, John "J.D." Drury of Ojai, on Tuesday as about 80 crew and cast members bustled up and down the Ventura street.

"It's a collage of different stories, friendships and eras kind of combined into one."

With direction from Sam Pillsbury, the ensemble cast includes Chittenden ("Introducing the Dwights"), rock legend Joan Jett, Jane Leeves ("Frasier"), Caitlin Wachs ("Commander in Chief"), Allison Scagliotti ("One Tree Hill") and others.

"It's more than just a surfer movie," said co-producer John Sclimenti ("Riding in Vans with Boys"). "It's about community and extended family."

Sclimenti is producing the film alongside Drury, Todd Wiseman, and Lighthouse Entertainment's Steven Siebert ("The Darwin Awards," "The Rookie").

Rosemary Marks ("Thirteen") will co-produce.

"This is my backyard," said Drury, who spent six years fine-tuning his script with the film's executive producer, Kevin Lyman. "There have been hundreds of rewrites. We just believed in this story."

Instead of filming at a studio, the cast and crew decided to shoot in the beach town where Drury grew up.

"Authenticity is a huge part of it," said Pillsbury.

"My vision is to create a little bit of magic for the audience by making them laugh and making them cry."

Lyman, who named the film, is also the founder of the annual Vans Warped Tour music festival.

Some Warped Tour artists will re-record modern renditions of early '80s New Wave and punk songs for the movie's soundtrack, including punk rock bands The Dollyrots and The Action Design.

Drury said he hopes the film's music, friendships and comedy will be a good salute to the '80s.

"It's a coming-of-age story where I hope people can see a reflection of themselves," he said.

The film is scheduled for release in summer 2008, in conjunction with the launch of Vans Warped Tour.