Local anti-bullying film to feature former boxing champ Buster Douglas
Mansfield is in the spotlight for another movie, this time for "The Final Contestant," which starts filming in and around Mansfield on Monday. It will feature former heavyweight boxing champion James "Buster" Douglas in an anti-bullying movie.
Local residents Kimberly Miller with Kelby King, co-owners of Heart of Ohio Films and their nonprofit Mansfield Films, said, "What a perfect guy to support this movie's message and the absolute wrong way to fight: Bullying."
Douglas, of Columbus, plays a grandparent in the film. Thirty-three years ago this month he became the first person to ever knock out Mike Tyson.
King wrote the movie, which is a feature-length film.
"Our goal is to edit this into a 40-minute version that we can show in schools everywhere as a resource on bullying awareness to help aid in bullying awareness and prevention," Miller said.
"We love the Mansfield film community and throughout this process we have received support from many local businesses and individuals such as Bob Cohen with Braintree Business Development Center, David Kirst with Rominus James Productions of Mansfield," Miller said.
Kurt Stimens, Ed Klesack and several others have opened their doors to filmmakers to film in locations such as Crossroads Church, Crestline High School, Deja Food, Golden Poppy, Little Buckeye Imagination Museum, The Cove, Holcker Hardware, WMFD-TV, Crestline Police Department and Mansfield Senior High School.
3 characters face bullies
The family friendly film has an anti-bullying theme and features three main characters in different situations who all are forced to face the difficulties of bullying. They all become winners by uncovering the strength they need to move past the bullying and towards a brighter future, Miller said.
The three individuals are in different seasons of life. Although they are strangers, they each have one thing in common: They are bullied by someone in their life. Their journeys cross at a talent show where they end up finding the strength they need to let go of the past and begin moving forward with unwavering courage and hope, she said.
About the filmmakers
Little Chicago Pictures will be shooting and producing the film. Cohen with Braintree and Kirst with Rominus James Productions have partnered with Heart of Ohio Films on the project.
Miller is an accomplished ventriloquist coach, child acting instructor, producer, actress and Mrs. Ohio America 2010. She received her master's degree from Liberty University in counseling and a minor in sign language interpreting in 2000.
Miller has extensive experience in film production and has been a producer and actor in three feature films over the last two years starring Kevin Sorbo, Dean Cain and Eddie McClintock. She serves on the board of directors at Richland Academy of the Arts and attends Crossroads Church. She and her husband Brooks and five children reside in Mansfield.
King is no stranger to being in front of the camera. She is the host of a weekly TV talk show, "Sittin' Down with Kelby King," which spotlights individuals with inspirational stories and/or talents. She is also a weekend on-air radio personality for Mix 106.1.
King was exposed to performing as a young child when her father was a musician and creative writer. Throughout her life and career, King has dabbled in stage productions, charity shows, public speaking and creative writing. King graduated from Bowling Green State University where she also was a figure skater and teacher/coach. She resides in Mansfield with her husband Scott.
The film also features actor Breckelle Miller, 8, of Mansfield, who plays the role of Avery Daniels who is continually bullied at school and the playground. She enters a talent show as an 8-year-old singer and ventriloquist and finds her voice and strength to overcome the hardships she has faced and shows how kindness and forgiveness will prevail.
Mansfield Films is a nonprofit that works hands in hand with Heart of Ohio Films. Together, these organizations create full-length feature films in Mansfield and surrounding communities in Ohio. Their mission is to inspire viewers and create positive change. By working closely with film producers, directors and casting crews, Mansfield Films and Heart of Ohio Films are able to create quality movies with moving, heartfelt stories.
lwhitmir@gannett.com
419-521-7223
Twitter: @LWhitmir
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Local TV/radio personality Kelby King wrote the film about bullies
