‘Mormon’ filmmakers release new movie at USU’s bookstore
Students walking past the bookstore Tuesday morning may have noticed some familiar faces. Daryn Tufts and Jed Knudsen, host and director of the new film “American Mormon,” dropped in at the USU bookstore to sign copies of the newly released DVD.
Students may have recognized Tufts from his various roles in “Singles Ward,” “The R.M.” and “The Home Teachers.”
Though Knudsen said he felt that he was the less famous of the two, he could be recognized from his starring role in the LDS seminary film, “The Whole Armor of God.”
“It was a blast. [We] got to meet a lot of people,” Knudsen said regarding the making of the film.
To complete their documentary, Knudsen and Tufts spent a summer embarking on several trips to different major cities across the United States.
Knudsen said they tried to find places people might recognize, such as New York’s Times Square and the Las Vegas Strip. They spent about three to five days at each location and accumulated over 20 hours of tape. A lot of the time completing the movie was spent in editing and deciding what they wanted used in the film.
Tufts and Knudsen planned to spend the day here in Logan promoting the film. When asked why they chose Utah State for the debut of the DVD, Knudsen said, “Because the movie appeals to everyone. It’s Utah.”
The duo had fun talking to students and employees of the USU bookstore, although the subjects soon ranged beyond the film. Rachel Sego, media relations for Excel Entertainment Group, mentioned an interest in the finer points of becoming a “True Aggie.” Tufts then began a search to find a member of Utah State University’s student body who could help Sego join in on the Utah State tradition.
Knudsen and Tufts spent an hour and a half in the USU bookstore signing DVDs and posters. They also had a chance to walk around campus and experience USU firsthand.
Tufts said his favorite part about USU is “The sense of community – people are really friendly.”
“Yeah,” Knudsen added, “it’s as if they’re here to learn.”
By the time it closed the USU Bookstore had sold out of copies of “American Mormon” They plan to order more.
-eliseras@cc.usu.edu