Chris Cones and Sean Eichenberg are men with a mission. The Indianapolis-based film producers are the managing partners of Impact Productions, a motion picture company that aims to give back to the Midwest, while proving that not everything in the world of cinema has to come out of Hollywood.

The pair are considering filming their upcoming action-comedy, “Kikk and Nass,” in Toledo. Cones and Eichenberg recently met with potential investors at the Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons in Perrysburg and though they haven’t made a definite decision as to the location of their production, they said they are excited about the possibilities the city offers. Toledo first came to their attention after networking with business associates Joanne M. Kitzler and Beth Stolar of The Alayna Company.

“Honestly, I had never really spent time in Toledo before Joanne and Beth asked us to visit and consider the city as a possible location for the film, but I was really impressed with everything it has to offer in terms of locations and the openness of both residents and business owners alike,” Cones said.

Cones and Eichenberg, both experienced actors, founded the company after meeting at an audition. They first set out to produce “Bound by Blood,” a film in which they also starred.

“I was told that if wanted to make a film that I should stay in California, but with four kids to raise on my own, I decided to take a chance and come back to the Midwest,” Cones said.

“Bound by Blood” was released in 2007 and distributed worldwide by York Entertainment. Impact Productions has since gone on to create “Rage,” a psychological thriller revolving around true events concerning child abuse, which recently had its IMAX premiere, the horror film “Killfloor,” and a DVD of elite cage fighting.

A part of all Impact Productions profits are donated to charity.

“Kikk and Nass” has already attracted name talent such as actor William Forsythe and director Spiro Razatos, as well as worldwide distribution.

The film would star Cones and Eichenberg as a pair of wisecracking private investigators who get caught up in the action-packed world of mixed martial arts.

“Unlike a lot of larger cities, filming in Toledo would offer our company the chance to not only build a more intimate working relationship with the community, but would also allow us to leave a lasting impact on the people that live there.  That’s the reason that this company was founded,”  Cones said.

According to Kistler, pre-production on “Kikk and Nass” is likely to begin sometime early next year.

This entry was posted on Saturday, November 22nd, 2008 at 7:35 pm and is filed under Tear Sheet.
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