Film executive Chris Fenton said Tennessee is emerging as a new hub for American-made entertainment as he prepares to release his latest film, Bad Counselors, a PG-13 summer camp comedy that he says was produced entirely with American labor.
During an exclusive interview Monday on The Michael Patrick Leahy Show, Fenton described Bad Counselors as both a nostalgic family comedy and a statement about rebuilding domestic film production.
“We have a real problem here,” Fenton said. “Like with every other industry, we have offshored manufacturing, and Hollywood is no exception to that. Sixty-five percent of our production is done offshore.”
Fenton said the production employed approximately 1,100 American workers and was filmed in North Carolina, Tennessee, and California.
“Making something fully American-made, we’re hoping is gonna get people excited about what’s a great film, and to go there for just another reason,” he said.
Bad Counselors stars Chris Klein, Matt Cornett, and Ramon Reed and was directed by Chris Dowling. According to Fenton, the movie follows two fraternity brothers who are forced to complete community service hours at a Christian summer camp after getting into trouble.
“They have to fake their way in, and of course they learn a lot about what it is to be somebody of faith even though they’re secular,” Fenton said.
Fenton emphasized that the project avoids political messaging.
“We just wanna create great, engaging entertainment that’s fun for all ages,” he said, “and when you walk out of there, you have this little call for something greater.”
The film is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on July 23 through Fathom Entertainment on approximately 1,200 screens.
“We’re hoping that Bad Counselors and The Odyssey take over the movie screens around the nation and we have a big run,” Fenton said.
The movie was financed by Loam Entertainment, a Franklin, Tennessee-based studio division connected to Family Radio. Fenton said the company is currently developing a 268-acre media campus in Thompson’s Station, just south of Franklin.
“We have a really good mission to essentially create content that calls for something greater,” he said.
Fenton praised Middle Tennessee’s growing entertainment sector and hinted he may eventually relocate from California.
“You know what? Hopefully sooner rather than later,” Fenton said when asked about moving to Tennessee. “Boy, I love the people down there in that Nashville area. It’s such a great part of the country.”
“You know what? Hopefully sooner rather than later,” Fenton said when asked about moving to Tennessee. “Boy, I love the people down there in that Nashville area. It’s such a great part of the country.”
Currently based in Manhattan Beach, California, Fenton said he has become increasingly drawn to Tennessee’s culture and business environment.
“It’s a little bit of a utopia on earth down there,” he said.
He also pointed to Nashville’s music ecosystem as a major creative advantage.
“I love the idea of listening rooms too,” Fenton said. “We don’t have those in LA, where you actually just sit there and listen to the music.”
Fenton said Loam Entertainment is already developing several additional projects, including adaptations of novels by author Billy Coffey and an action-comedy inspired by modern conspiracy culture.
“We’re experimenting with a lot of different genres,” he said. “We haven’t pulled the trigger on our next one just yet, but we’re about to.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X.
