{"id":6441,"date":"2022-05-13T18:04:12","date_gmt":"2022-05-13T22:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/reelfaith\/?p=6441"},"modified":"2022-05-13T18:04:12","modified_gmt":"2022-05-13T22:04:12","slug":"with-the-release-of-family-camp-the-skit-guys-break-through-to-a-larger-audience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/reelfaith\/2022\/05\/with-the-release-of-family-camp-the-skit-guys-break-through-to-a-larger-audience.html","title":{"rendered":"With the Release of ‘Family Camp,’ The Skit Guys Break Through to a Larger Audience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Comedy duo The Skit Guys (Tommy Woodard and Eddie James) star with Leigh Allen Baker in the new film \u201cFamily Camp,\u201d premiering in theaters this weekend. Set at fictional Camp Katokwah and directed by Brian Cates, the comical story centers on Grace (Baker), who pushes her imperfect family out of its comfort zone and into unusual situations.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Tommy Woodard and Eddie James, The Skit Guys, star in \u2018Family Camp.\u2019 Image courtesy of Epic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Woodard and James, who have been performing together since the 1980\u2019s, make their feature length debut with the film, a longtime dream finally realized.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always been deep inside of us as a dream,\u201d Woodard said. \u201cIt seemed like an unreachable dream, until we started seeing some other movies coming out, such as \u2018Fireproof\u2019 and \u2018Facing the Giants.\u2019 Those were the trailblazers for us and the ones that made us think \u2018Oh wait, maybe we can do that.\u2019 More than that, however, it was a lot of prayer. God finally opened doors.\u201d<\/p>\n

The campground setting was conceived as a way for the duo to play off each other for hilarious results. Originally, the duo considered a road trip type film debut, but logistically speaking, it made more sense to film at one setting. James, a former youth pastor, brought his own camp experience to play while working with writers Renee Gutteridge and Cates. If \u201cFamily Camp\u201d is a success, James hopes to return to the \u201cRide Share\u201d concept.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to create more comedies that family can go to and don\u2019t have to worry about a bait and switch,\u201d he said. \u201cWe want to help moms and dads feel like kings and queens, just to feel like they\u2019re watching their kids laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Woodard said filming the comedy was a \u201cdream come true\u201d and he\u2019s reminded of the wonderful experience as stills from the filming play on his home computer.<\/p>\n

\u201c(I just look and say) \u2018Oh, that was a great day,\u2019 \u2018That was a great day\u2019,\u201d he said. \u201cEven the worst day was a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beyond all the fun, however, James said there is a more important reason for the comedy and that is to break down walls and allow \u201chealing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe humor breaks down walls was for truth to enter,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you can get people to laugh, they\u2019ll listen to you. You just have to have something good to say. And we know the Creator of the universe gave us so many great things to say. So we tried to just really rely on that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFamily Camp,\u201d from Roadside Attractions, K-LOVE Films & Provident Films, releases this weekend in theaters. Click here<\/a> for more information. Watch an exclusive interview with The Skit Guys and DeWayne Hamby below.<\/p>\n