Movie to be filmed at “KO at the TU”

Boxing fans are going to get a chance to be in a film this Saturday, as film studio Wishing Well Pictures will be filming the climax to their latest feature, a boxing drama called “The Challenger”, during and after Star Boxing’s show in the Times Union Center. Filming of the crowd will be done during the show, and the audience will be invited to stay as extras for the final fight between protagonist Jaden Miller and the light heavyweight champion. Directions will be provided by the announcers during the event.

“We’re going to film our boxers walking out, and then literally fighting in the ring in front of the crowd,” said lead actor, writer and director Kent Moran, who mentioned being inspired by 2006’s “Rocky Balboa,” which used the same approach for Rocky’s fight against heavyweight champion Mason Dixon. “We have a low budget on this film, and we were [thinking] about how we were going to accomplish something like this, we were looking for the perfect spot to be able to do exactly what [MGM, the production company for “Rocky Balboa”] did, and when this boxing event came up it seemed like a great opportunity to do that.”

In a press release that went out on January 23rd, Star Boxing CEO Joe DeGuardia said he was, “pleased that [my] fights on February 4th will be a part of this movie… our fighter, Antonio Tarver, was Rocky’s nemesis Mason Dixon in the last Rocky movie, and I remember when they filmed the fight scenes in Las Vegas. The fans loved the experience and many were ecstatic when they saw themselves in the movie. Fans in Albany can now have that same experience February 4th at the Times Union Center.”

“We are excited that Albany County will once again be the site of filming. This activity generates economic vibrancy and literally puts Albany on the map and in the spotlight for many film companies for future projects,” said Michele Vennard, President/CEO of the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau, in the same press release. The most recent features to film in Albany were in 2010, when Angelina Jolie’s action-thriller “Salt” and Will Ferrell’s action-comedy “The Other Guys” shot scenes on location in the city.

“The Challenger” is the first to be filmed in the Times Union Center, which has recently become a New York State Qualified Film Production Facility. “We’re thrilled to start utilizing the arena for movie productions,” said Bob Belber, General Manager of the Times Union Center, also on the January 23rd press release. “In addition to benefiting the arena, adding this dimension to our event calendar will also have a positive effect on the downtown Albany economy. Since filming is being tied into the KO at the TU, we will not only be bringing championship boxing back as a live event, but on the silver screen as well.”

Moran commented on his choice to bring his project to the Times Union Center. “Initially, we wanted to find a place in New York, because the rest of our filming is in New York… but also, we wanted to find a place that we felt just fit the story, and [was] welcoming,” said Moran. “[The Times Union Center and Star Boxing] were very welcoming, we really loved the look of the place, and we loved Albany… they’ve been terrific, they’ve been very helpful, pretty much provided anything we needed or asked for, and [it’s] really been a pleasure to work with them.”
“The Challenger” is a boxing drama about fate and family set in the South Bronx. When “Bronx Boy” Jaden Miller and his mother are forced out of their home by the recession, he has to turn to boxing to win their life back, starting a journey that will eventually take him to a title shot against the light heavyweight champion of the world, played by Smallville’s Justin Hartley.

Tickets for “KO at the TU” can be bought at the Times Union Center Box Office, select Wal Mart Music Centers, 1-800-745- 3000, www.timesunioncenter-albany.com and www.starboxing. com. The college student discount is still available at the box office with valid student ID, until Friday, February 3rd. Ticket purchase grants access both to “KO at the TU” and the filming.