Articles
July 20, 2017
Lapacazo Sandoval
Contributing Writer
Chris Redd (Pop Star: Never Stop Never Stopping, Netflix’s Disjointed) and Anabelle Acosta (Quantico, Ballers) do not have enough body fat between them to justify participating in any fat camp but they are bringing the laughs in the indie comedy “Fat Camp”, which was snapped up by BET and aired July 17.
Originally screened in the LA Muse section of this year’s Los Angeles Film Festival, the outrageous comedy also stars Vivica A. Fox (Empire, “Kill Bill: Volumes 1 and 2”) newcomers Michael Cienfuegos and Mel Rodriguez (Last Man On Earth, Getting On).
“Fat Camp” is written by Chuck Hayward's (Netflix’s series Dear White People) and marks Emmy-nominated Jennifer Arnold’s (A Small Act) directorial debut. A production of Fluency, a division of NBC Universal Telemundo Enterprises, is aimed at the emerging majority and is committed to celebrating new heroes and amplifying bold voices.
“Fat Camp” is a coming of age comedy that follows the life of twenty-something Hutch (Redd) who thinks image is everything. He fronts like a baller and is too spoiled to get a job. But when his mom kicks him out of the house, and he’s forced to work at his uncle’s fat camp and he finds himself supervising an offbeat group of husky boys, who ultimately help him grow up.
Chris Redd is a stand-up comedian/writer/actor who hails from Chicago. He’s a busy man, currently shooting two series “Dank” and the new Netflix comedy “Disjointed” starring opposite Kathy Bates. On the feature film side he is in production for “Deep Murder.”
Anabelle Acosta’s career is moving swiftly with two breakout roles in high profile shows, HBO’s “Ballers,” and ABC’s “Quantico.” Born in Havana Cuba and raised in New York City, Acosta is a Julliard School alumnus.
Here is what Chris Redd and Anabelle Acosta had to share about being a part of the “Fat Camp.”
L.A. Watts Times (LAWT): Did you have fun?
Chris Redd: Did I have fun? Are you kidding? It was so much fun. Those kids [in Fat Camp] are hilarious. The funny is on the page. The screenplay [Chuck Hayward] that Chris wrote was laugh out funny and then the director [Jennifer Arnold] allowed us to improvise, and the kids just elevated. So yes. I had fun!
LAWT: Anabelle — you are known for drama. How did you feel in a comedy?
Anabelle Acosta: I’ve never imagined myself in a comedy but working on this has changed my mind—completely. Working with Jennifer [Jennifer Arnold] was amazing. She really allowed us all to improvise and it was such a safe feeling.
LAWT: Chris comedy is hard. Any comic will tell you that? What inspired you to continue on your journey?
CR: Judd Apatow— the Judd Apatow. I had that moment when I was thinking ‘how can I make this happen’ and I met Judd and I knew, the sign was clear. The universe made the choice crystal. Clear … and I appeared in “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping,” which Judd Apatow produced.
LAWT: Did you have anyone in the industry inspire you when you were just starting?
AA: OMG yes! It was JessyTerrero, he’s a major music video director and he gave me my first big break and he gave me the right advice. He told me to lose weight, get in the gym and to get my head into the game. I will always love him for that.
BET and will air “Fat Camp” on July 17th.